Sitting at my desk writing a blog this afternoon is the first time I have ceased from frenetic activity in several days.

I spent the last days of June at my mother’s house helping while her caregiver was off.

     She is up by 8:30a.m. so I read my Bible early and try to leave the house by 6:30a.m. to walk a couple miles on abandoned railroad tracks. When I was a child, a train used the rails twice a day so we had to listen for the rumble of an engine if we walked this route, but no longer. Now it is the roadways that are unsafe, for the cattle ranches were sold and subdivided increasing the population.

     I returned home just in time for the Fourth of July festivities beginning with the Paul Bunyan Mountain and Blues Festival in our small town. Tomorrow morning, I will post this blog before driving to a neighboring town for a parade [or when I get home].

     The fact my writing is a respite may seem odd, realistically it should be listed as work but I am not racing around from one chore or activity to the next.

     I contemplate this word “respite,” a temporary period of relief. At my desk writing, time dissipates like morning mist and I am engrossed in this creative endeavor. But it is not shabat. “To sabbath is to cease activity for the purpose of remembering God’s provision, that we might worship him as we ought,” writes Jen Wilkin in a chapter titled “The Fourth Word, Unhindered Rest” in her book “Ten Words to Live By.”

     She explains further… “More than the deliberate cessation of work for the purpose of decompressing, Sabbath is the deliberate cessation of any activity that might reinforce my belief in my own self-sufficiency. In contrast to cultural ideas of rest marked by self-care, Sabbath rest is marked by self-denial. It requires that we deny ourselves the material gain or sense of accomplishment a day of labor brings.”

     Yes, I can find rest in my writing, but that is not true rest. True rest is found in complete reliance on my Lord and Savior. David wrote about this rest in Psalm 23 describing how the Lord restored his soul. When I seek rest through writing, I attempt my own restorative measures. To shabat, I would need to “cease” writing and allow my refreshing to come from the Lord.

     The chapter on unhindered rest in Wilkin’s book has prompted much research about the Sabbath on my end. GotQuestions.org points out that Jesus is our Sabbath rest. We no longer labor to make ourselves acceptable to God by obeying the Law. In Jesus, we are made holy and righteous. This rest is discussed in Hebrews chapter 4 of the Bible.

     But I see I do labor for other things that God provides. Sometimes I refuse a break from work because I am striving to achieve security, safety, comfort… I am creating and sustaining a lifestyle of my choosing.

     There is debate on whether those who are in Christ should take a Sabbath and what this rest should be.

     Gotquestions.org points to Colossians 2:16-17 and Romans 14:5 as proof that “Sabbath-keeping is a matter of spiritual freedom, not a command from God.”

     As I look at reasons I don’t cease from work, I am becoming more convinced that perhaps a Sabbath would be good for my soul. How about you?

Let’s Talk:

1-If you have become convinced in your mind either to take a Sabbath or not take one what prompted your choice?

2-How do you take a Sabbath?

     A few nights ago, God talked to me while I slept, emphasizing the need to acknowledge Him in all my ways.

     I awoke with Proverbs 3:5-6 repeating in my mind like a stuck record.

     “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

     In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” ESV

     That day and beyond my attention was on my ways… what might I be doing better if I filtered them through God’s perspective?

     –Better interactions with others.

     Because the spoken word is an important part of communication, I quickly noticed my speech could become a source for friction.

     When another person’s words, or even their tone in a conversation, sounds challenging I tend to meet them at my point of perception. Soon my tone and/or words become aggressive leading to controversaries.

     *God’s direction: A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

     Also, I tend to say things meant as a joke, or so I thought until my husband labeled my quips as sarcasm. When I looked the word up to get a clearer definition, I found it is “using irony to point out the deficiencies or failings of someone or something” (www.dictionary.com) 

     *God’s direction: Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18

     –Better use of time.

     Although I am sure it is possible to have too much time, I have never found time to be a surplus. Therefore, it is difficult for me to let go of my plans. If I were in the shoes of the Good Samaritan, I cannot say I would have done as much to minister to the man injured by thieves lying at the side of the road.

Most think of generosity in terms of money, but we can be tight fisted with other things such as time. And God is showing me that guarding my time may not result in getting more done. If I am generous with my time, I just may have more of it. It’s a paradox, so common with God, and therefore amazing.

The following verse refers to money, but if looked at from the point of generosity it could also apply to time!

     *God’s direction: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

     Also, I need direction on when to drop what I am doing and respond to a request or need and when to continue with the task at hand.

     *God’s direction: If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

     These examples are only the beginning of what God is doing as He reveals a behavior that does not please Him and gives Scripture for correction and direction.

We need the Holy Spirit’s conviction otherwise we remain unaware. I was not acknowledging God’s ways when it came to sarcasm because I was unaware of the damaging effect it could have on people.

Let’s be conscious of our ways and let God’s light reveal any darkness in them.

©2023 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved

Let’s Talk:

1-What behavior is God currently working on in your life? Has He given direction as you hold the behavior up to the light of Scripture?

2-If God has ever spoken to you while you slept, please share the message in the comment section!

     As I read a blogger’s lament about her inability to see how God is working for her good amid a difficult situation, I wonder why she has failed to read the next sentence beneath Romans 8:28 in the passage from which she quotes.

     Romans 8:28-29

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” ESV

     The good God is referring to is to hone us into the image of Jesus Christ. While circumstances may not feel good, trials and tribulations are like a chisel chipping marble into a beautiful work of art. They cut away all that does not glorify God and as a result we become more Christ-like.

     In his commentary on the book of Romans, “Be Right,” author Warren W. Wiersbe writes: “The believer never need faint in times of suffering and trial because he knows that God is at work in the world (Rom. 8:28), and that He has a perfect plan (Rom. 8:19). God has two purposes in that plan: our good and His glory. Ultimately, He will make us like Jesus Christ. Best of all, God’s plan is going to succeed.”

     I contemplate the notion that trials and tribulations work for my good. The word “good” in koine Greek is agathon, something useful and profitable, beneficial.

     If I never have an adversary, someone who slanders or perhaps takes advantage, how will I learn to do good no matter how I am treated or to be kind to the ungrateful and the evil? (Luke 6:35)

     If I never experience a financial setback, how can I learn contentment? To live content is to be satisfied with the food on my table and clothes in my closet. As the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing with these we will be content.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8)  

     If I am never put in a place where forgiveness is difficult or tempted to consider myself better than another person, how can I learn to judge not? (Luke 6:37)

     We can read our Bibles daily or memorize verses from each book, but unless we have the opportunity to practice them, we won’t know if we can walk it out.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, we are told in Romans 12:2. And we truly do begin to think differently, approach situations with a Christ-like attitude when we live in the presence of God. However, just as we take tests in school to see if we have truly learned what was taught, we need to be tested to see if our head knowledge became heart knowledge.

This fallen world is filled with tribulation. We all have times when we struggle. But these adverse situations give God a chance to work His magic.

Let’s Talk:

1-What transformation has taken place during times of tribulation that has made you more Christ-like? Please share in the comment section!

©2023 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved

Image by Siegella from Pixabay

     This week I posted a short piece on Instagram and Facebook titled “Becoming Part of the Solution.”

     I had taken a photo of a couple refrigerators out in the woods where I walk and wrote that my first reaction to such dumping is anger. But on this day, I had another thought. “How can I be part of the solution?”

     About 10 minutes after I posted the piece, I got a call from my nephew. He had been dirt bike riding in the hills behind his house, which is high desert sage brush, and came across discarded appliances, tires, and other garbage. He made a quick call to the local landfill to negotiate an affordable dump fee, and after soliciting the help of a friend began the site cleanup. Four loads later, the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails were clear.

     That is a good deed.

     A few weeks ago, I learned of another person who is trying to reduce the feral cat population in my town by transporting these animals to a clinic in Reno where a vet offers to spay and neuter them for $25 on a certain day of the week. I was impressed by her willingness to take action rather than simply talk about a problem.

     Neither of these people profess Christ, but what they do is certainly sacrificial. They gave of their time and money. I was told the “cat lady” leaves town at 4 a.m. each Tuesday morning to take the felines to the vet in Reno, a two-hour trip.

     So, I ask as followers of Jesus Christ shouldn’t we be ready to take part in problem solving when there is a problem? Yet I often hear Christians opt out. They say they aren’t “called” to it.

     James tells us that we should put our faith into action. This is how Eugene Peterson, author of the commentary Bible titled “The Message,” words James 2:19-24.

     “Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That’s just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?

Wasn’t our ancestor Abraham “made right with God by works” when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn’t it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are “works of faith”?  The full meaning of “believe” in the Scripture sentence, “Abraham believed God and was set right with God,” includes his action. It’s that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend.” Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?”

There are lots of needs in society today. We read about them in newspapers or news websites or hear about them on television. Often the best we can do to be part of the solution is pray. At other times, however, we are like the Good Samaritan who came across the man who had been robbed and beaten giving us opportunity to act. At those times we can choose to be used by God to be part of the solution.

[NOTE: The Bible tells us to do good works but this is not for our salvation from eternal destruction (Matthew 25:46, Revelation 20:15) due to the sins we have committed (Romans 6:23). Salvation is a free gift from God, we don’t “work” for it.

How are we saved? The following information is from Got Questions (gotquestions.org).

How did God provide salvation?

Because the just penalty for sin is infinite and eternal, only God could pay the penalty, because only He is infinite and eternal. But God, in His divine nature, could not die. So God became a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. God took on human flesh, lived among us, and taught us.

When the people rejected Him and His message, and sought to kill Him, He willingly sacrificed Himself for us, allowing Himself to be crucified (John 10:15). Because Jesus Christ was human, He could die; and because Jesus Christ was God, His death had an eternal and infinite value.

Jesus’ death on the cross was the perfect and complete payment for our sin (1 John 2:2). He took the consequences we deserved. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead demonstrated that His death was indeed the perfectly sufficient sacrifice for sin.

How can I be saved? What do I need to do?

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). God has already done all the work. All you must do is receive, in faith, the salvation God offers (Ephesians 2:8-9). Fully trust in Jesus alone as the payment for your sins. Believe in Him, and you will not perish (John 3:16). God is offering you salvation as a gift. All you have to do is accept it. Jesus is the way of salvation (John 14:6).