Walking Billboards for Jesus

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The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am holy. Leviticus 19:1-2

Leviticus – the third book in the Bible, which many try to speed read on their way through their “Read the Bible in a year” plan. However, if and when we slow down in our reading, we realize that “Be holy, for I am Holy” is at the heart of Leviticus. We come face to face with the holiness of God.  If your church still has hymnals, pick up one and let the words of this great hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” speak to your heart in a new and fresh way.

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee:

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Leviticus is not usually read as good news, and most certainly not in the context of how the world now determines what is a modern, culturally acceptable worldview. However, J. A. Motyer looks at Leviticus differently. He writes, “Leviticus is good news. It is good news for sinners who seek pardon, for priests who need empowering, for women who are vulnerable, for the unclean who covet cleansing, for the poor who yearn for freedom, for the marginalized who seek dignity, for animals that demand protection, for families that require strengthening, for communities that want fortifying and for creation that stands in need of care. All these issues, and more, are addressed in a positive way in Leviticus.”

Spend some time meditating upon chapters 18 and 19 in Leviticus. Try reading these verses as one who seeks God, treating life as holy, and allowing God to have control of your life. At the heart of each requirement is the holiness of God in the life of his people, a people set apart from the world. Culture no longer determines the standards; only God does.

As you read these two chapters, mentally or literally, create two columns. At the top of the columns, title one “God’s values” and the other “Human Values.”  It doesn’t take long to realize God’s values and human values are worlds apart.

Augustine wrote that “The LORD himself not only shows us the evil we are to avoid and the good we are to do (which is all that the letter of the law can do) but also helps us to avoid evil and to do good things that are impossible without the spirit of grace. If grace is lacking, the law is there simply to make culprits and to slay; for this reason, the Apostle said, “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6)”

Unfortunately, chapters 18 and 19 are not a Golden Corral buffet of principles. We don’t get to go through the line choosing what we like and leaving out the others. It can be so easy to pick a verse and sling it at someone, yet at the same time, avoid verses we would prefer to overlook. The problem is that God didn’t give us a choice. Each requirement interlocks with the others, forming a strong family, church, community, and culture.

Leviticus’ requirements set the people apart from the other nations. Jesus would take the law and empower it with grace. “Christ came provided with the Holy Spirit after a peculiar manner…that he might separate us from the world, and unite us in the hope of an eternal inheritance.”—John Calvin.

Living a life set apart from the world requires God’s grace. Our focus shifts from the world to God. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote that “Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God.”

New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis won the 2021 NFL Bart Starr Award for outstanding character, integrity, and leadership on and off the field. His wife, Tamela, told the Christian Post, “Our primary mission has always been to be a walking billboard for Christ, so that others may be able to see and encounter Him through us and our experiences.”

Undoubtedly, Leviticus is a challenging book with some difficult passages, yet what a difference when our heartbeat is that of being holy. Take some time in prayer and reflect on where you are in light of God’s values. What will it take to restore and empower you to live a life set apart for God? Thomas Kelly wrote, “It is said of St. Francis not merely that he prayed, but that he became a prayer.”

Maybe in a world that is growing indifferent to God’s message, the best way we can reflect a different image is to become “walking billboards for Christ,” or as Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” –Matthew 16:24

God is great!

Connie and I are on a mission trip to Kenya. This is a reprint from several years ago, but I thought it was appropriate for all that is happening in the world.

Update from Kenya. What a blessing the last few days have been working with Glory Baptist Church in Eldoret.  Women and men’ s conferences, children day camp, prayer walk and a wonderful day of worship.

Turn the Spotlight on Me

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As your spiritual teacher I, by the grace God gave me, give this advice to each one of you. Don’t cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself or your importance but try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities by the light of the faith that God has given to you all. For just as you have many members in one physical body and those members differ in their functions, so we, though many in number, compose one body in Christ and are all members to one another. Romans 12:3-5 Phillips Translation

Where would Batman be without Robin? How would Sherlock Holmes solve murder cases without Dr. Watson? What would have happened to the Winslow family without their nerdy neighbor, Steve Urkel? Andy Griffin needed his Barney Fife, Cheers wouldn’t have been the same without Frasier, and mischievous Uncle Fester spiced up the Addams Family.

Can you imagine a world without those iconic sidekicks? They are secondary characters who somehow ingrained themselves into our hearts and often stole the spotlight from the main character.  Playing second fiddle has never been easy and definitely goes against the most recent cultural phenomenon called “Main Character Syndrome.” The term didn’t originate from a university psychology department, but rather from social media, especially TikTok.

What is “Main Character Syndrome (MCS)?” It is not a clinical diagnosis but popularized by social media platforms. Anna Gotlib, an associate professor of philosophy, defines it as, “MCS is a tendency to view one’s life as a story in which one stars in the central role, with everyone else a side character at best. Only the star’s perspectives, desires, loves, hatreds, and opinions matter, while those of others in supporting roles are relegated to the periphery of awareness. Main characters act while everyone else reacts. Main characters demand attention, and the rest of us had better obey.” (Aeon Newsletter)

Though the term is a recent addition to our language, the concept is as old as time. Paul understood well the MCS of his days when writing in Romans, “Don’t cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself or your importance.” Today’s social media platforms feed the motivation to be adored and loved, but throughout time, the same motivation has been part of humanity.

The Old Testament is filled with MCS performers. King Saul stood head and shoulders above the average man, yet was filled with jealousy and suspicion. When the women came out to greet the King and his men after a battle, they were singing the newest hit song, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” This didn’t go over well with King Saul since he “was very angry…They have credited David with tens of thousands, “he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” (I Samuel 18:7-8)

King Nebuchadnezzar was a classic MCS and had every reason to be proud. He was the most powerful man at the time, leading the nation of Babylon to annihilate all opposition. Who could blame him when he proclaimed, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty.” (Daniel 4:30) The King got a quick lesson on the reality of MCS when God removed him from center stage.

The challenge of spiritual MCS impacts even those who have walked with Jesus for years. James and John, two of his closest disciples, asked if they could take the two places of highest authority. They were so focused on the “me” factor that they forgot what it really meant to be the greatest. “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)

The challenge of Main Character Syndrome doesn’t just impact the YouTubers, TikTokers, or being “Instagrammable.” It is for anyone who breathes air and gets out of bed in the morning. It is an even greater challenge for those who seek to follow God and make their life a reflection of their faith in Jesus. MCS is not a puzzle to solve but a lifestyle decision to bring constantly before God. “The most spiritually dangerous kind of idolatry is idolatry of the heart.” (Paul David Tripp). An idol of the heart is anything we let rule our hearts instead of God, especially ourselves.

British pastor Pete Greig writes, “Main Character Syndrome (MCS) has become a popular trope on social media, describing the tendency to project myself as the most important person in any encounter and perceive myself as the central character in the movie of my life. I acknowledge how often I talk without really listening, how subtly I try to control my own environment, and how secretly I prioritise my own personal feelings and preferences as more important than those of other people.”

Jesus understood we would all face the temptation to be on center stage, so he gave the disciples a great life lesson that applies to us. “He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:36-37). What could be a better example than a child who was powerless, with no authority, and yet fills every home with life and energy?

There is nothing wrong with being on center stage if it focuses on God first, which will then naturally include all others. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4 NIV)

God is great!

 

 

The Intersection of Brokenness and Hope

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Photo by Thanh Thương Fycam

How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13 NIV

Every major city has one. Every rural area has one. There are 15.8 million of them in the continental United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety report. What is that one? It is an intersection that can turn into a nightmare at a minute’s notice. There is one intersection that we want to avoid at all costs, even though we know that there are no viable options. We may live in a rural area and think we are safe; unfortunately, though the rural area represents 18% of the population, it accounts for 36% of the deadliest intersections. (Fang Law Firm)

If you have lived, been to, or visited Peachtree City, Georgia, you know that one intersection is 54/74; many of us have spent a thoughtful moment or two sitting there waiting to get through it! I assumed it would be number one on the list when I started writing this blog. However, it doesn’t even rank in the top tier of worst intersections. You know why? It’s not really that bad after all, since I have only had to sit for maybe a maximum of 15 minutes. What made it the worst? It’s the one I go through frequently.

You have your own intersections, maybe not in traffic, but in life. The intersection of brokenness and hope impacts every one of us in life, often every day. Since my last week’s blog post, a prominent activist voice was silenced by an assassin’s bullet, a young Ukrainian refugee was brutally stabbed on her way home from her Charlotte job, and a 16-year-old student carried a revolver and ammunition into the Evergreen High School and randomly started shooting students.

Charlie Kirk, Iryna Zarutska, and two high school students’ paths converged at the intersection of brokenness and hope. The junction of brokenness is devastating and almost impossible to get through. If we only followed the news stories, we would think that brokenness and devastation were the only intersecting roads. When Charlie Kirk was asked in an interview, “How do you want to be remembered?” Kirk answered, “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith, that would be the most important thing. The most important thing is my faith in my life.”

The intersection of devastation seemed to be the only road, yet during this same timeframe of devastation, I couldn’t miss the incoming flow of hope at the same intersection. We have a good friend who was able to ring the bell at the City of Hope Cancer Center. Around the world, there were thousands of people gathered in over 1,700 Prayer Rooms as part of the Global Week of Prayer to pray for the nations, communities, and leaders. I found hope even in the small joys of life, such as my grandkids going to the zoo.

I don’t mind coming to the intersection when I am driving on Hope, but brokenness is not where I want to be. Yet it is often at that intersection that I have come to understand more fully God’s love for me. Oswald Chambers said it well, “God takes you through a way that you temporarily do not understand. And it is only by going through the spiritual confusion that you will come to the understanding of what God wants for you.”

Peter in his opening remarks to the church in exile wrote, “To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” (I Peter 1:1-2 NIV)

Izwe Nkosi commented on this passage about the contradiction of exile and elect in a recent Lectio podcast. Nkosi said, “I notice the contradiction in the lives of the community Peter is addressing—they are ‘elect’, but also ‘exiles”. Chosen by God, but living fragile, displaced lives. Being chosen by God doesn’t mean my life will be easy, or that everything will feel blessed and wonderful all the time. But this place of contradiction—living between the promise and the sometimes tough reality of life—is precisely the place where the Triune God is forming me so that, wherever I am, I will still know “grace and peace…in abundance.”

Life happens!  All of us will find ourselves at some intersection of brokenness and hope at some point. What will you do when you enter that intersection? Our life of faith may find us struggling for answers. It is easy to doubt the goodness of God when we find ourselves on the road of devastation; however, at that intersection is where we will discover God most present.

Out of the darkest valley, David was able to write, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6)

God, would you remind me moment by moment today, however I am feeling about myself or my life situation, that I am known and loved by You, and that right now, I am in the process of being formed and transformed by the Trinity, working in action together.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NIV)

God is great!

 

 

Treasures of Wisdom

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Photo by John-Mark Smith

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” I am not sure many students would agree with Albert Einstein’s quote while sitting in a physics class as the teacher tried to explain his revolutionary Theory of Relativity!

The story goes that someone once asked the Nobel Prize laureate who was the smartest person in his opinion. Without hesitation, Einstein replied, “My chauffeur.” One day, they were on their way to a conference, and Einstein said he was very tired. At that moment, the driver offered to give the talk since he knew it by heart from seeing it so many times. So, they exchanged clothes, and the chauffeur went up on stage. In a time without social media, people had heard of Einstein but hadn’t necessarily seen him. The driver delivered his talk perfectly, but during the question-and-answer session, a journalist posed a complex question about the theory of relativity. With great calm and cleverness, Einstein’s chauffeur in his role replied, “This question is so basic that even my chauffeur sitting there in the front row could answer it. Could you please come up and answer it?” Einstein, in his role as the chauffeur, stood up, brilliantly answered the question. After that, no one else wanted to ask anything.

There are lots of versions of this same folklore illustration, mixing myth with a grain of truth. An amusing version is one that the late Jerry Clower did years ago. I am not sure who took the illustration and applied it to Einstein, but it illustrates well the difference between information and wisdom.

Smart is being able to give answers that the brain needs, but wisdom is being able to give answers that the soul needs. The Bible describes two types of wisdom: worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom. Worldly wisdom gives you the right answer. However, it can cultivate envy and put selfish ambition above others. James writes,” Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” (James 3:15)

There is no question that we need the right answers, but answers given for the right reasons. Godly wisdom seeks to enhance others and places God in the forefront. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17)

The Bible is filled with the stories of men and women who made a difference because of godly wisdom. Solomon normally pops into most people’s minds when they think of wisdom. The two key components that highlighted Solomon’s wisdom were that he asked for it, and God freely answered his request. (I Kings 3) Solomon knew that he had big shoes to fill following in the steps of his father, David. It would take extraordinary leadership to keep the kingdom together and daily lead the nation. You may not possess Solomon’s wisdom, but you have the same ability to receive. James reminds us that “if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

There is not a specific day on the calendar that celebrates wisdom, but one that should come close was celebrated yesterday in the United States. It is more commonly known as Grandparents’ Day. I used the word, ‘should’ since grandparents were given an important task by God to tell the next generations. David wrote in the Psalms, “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:3-4)

There is one thing in common among grandparents, besides having grandchildren, and that is that they have lived a lot of years. In those years, you have experienced a lot of life lessons, some from good experiences and others not so good. Yet in all those lifetimes of stories comes knowledge, and, when mixed with godly wisdom, a new generation can grow stronger and deeper in their faith.

“Telling stories to my children that I was, in my turn, told by my parents and grandparents makes me feel part of something special and odd, part of the continuous stream of life itself.” Neil Gaiman

The responsibility of telling stories, especially those of God’s faithfulness throughout your life, will be the faith seeds planted that you may not get to witness with your own eyes, but will bear fruit for generations to come. “Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” (Deuteronomy 4:9)

Gray hair and years of life do not guarantee wisdom. However, if one has sought wisdom and lived “in the way of righteousness,” then the impact upon one’s children’s children is exponential. “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.” (Prov 16:31).

We live in an age when data equivalent to a quarter-million Libraries of Congress are created every day. Massive data centers are being built around the world, consuming an ever-larger portion of natural resources simply to provide storage for more and more information. Yet on the same day, thousands of years of wisdom and knowledge are lost as those of a previous generation die. Jandy Nelson writes, “Each time someone dies, a library burns.”

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will provide us with a wealth of information; you simply ask, and you will have an abundance of facts and figures. You need to get your info, but never forget to always diligently seek the real treasure. “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.” (Proverbs 3:13-14)

God is great!

 

Labor Day – Honoring Workers

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Photo by Yury Kim

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 NIV

Labor Day has undergone significant changes since Grover Cleveland signed the law on June 28, 1894, establishing the holiday. I doubt President Cleveland would have imagined that this one signature would become his most defining contribution to American history.

The working world has undergone massive shifts between 1894 and 2025. Agriculture no longer dominates as the number one employer; factories have closed, being replaced by the service industry. Technology and IT specialists are current hot specialties, but now every worker is facing a cosmic shift as AI starts to unravel the world of work.

Labor Day serves as an annual celebration of workers and their achievements, though many now only consider the day the end of summer. Labor Day had its roots during one of America’s more dismal seasons for workers. The average American worked 12-hour days, seven days a week, simply to make a basic living. Children, as young as 5 or 6, toiled in mills, factories, and mines across the country. The idea of a “workingmen’s holiday” began to take root as a greater number of workers left their farms and found work in factories, until finally, following the violent Pullman strike, which resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen workers, Labor Day was recognized.

President Cleveland could not have imagined the world of 2025; there are some days, neither can I. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates says, “Artificial intelligence (AI) will ultimately render humans unnecessary for most things and predicts that this will happen very soon.”  In a recent podcast episode of Express Adda, Gates said, “No one was born to work. Jobs are a product of scarcity.”

Gates envisions a future where the traditional work model is obsolete, thanks to AI’s evolution. He argues that AI can provide for our needs, and work will cease to be a vital obligation. “For centuries, we worked to survive. Now, we must imagine what to do with our lives if work is no longer the condition for living.” (from an article by Diego Perez Morales)

God would most definitely disagree with Mr. Gates on his philosophy of “no one was born to work.” From the very beginning, God created work as a blessing, not as a scarcity model but as a way of value, dignity, and participation. Adam and Eve were not placed in the Garden of Eden to sit back and take it easy. God assigned them the task of caring for his creation, placing his trust in their care for his creation. From that trust came the dignity of work, the joy of seeing something completed, and ultimately, fellowship with God.

Work was never a punishment but a blessing and a privilege that God gave us. “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food. And it was so.” Genesis 2:29-30

Howard Tucker doesn’t see work from a scarcity model. He holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest practicing doctor. At 102, the neurologist has been working in medicine for almost 80 years. In an interview with Today’s Show Al Roker on May 29, 2025, Dr. Tucker said, “Retirement, I think, is the enemy of longevity…You have to have some purpose in life and get up in the morning and know what you’re about…. It’s fun staying alive and working,” he said. “it’s delightful work. Every day I learn something new.” (Today Show, A. Pawlowski)

David Frank doesn’t see work from a scarcity model. Mr. Frank turned 100 last November and celebrated with friends, family, and co-workers on his job at the Windsor, Ontario Home Depot store, where he has worked for the last 23 years. He is officially the oldest Home Depot employee. Mr. Frank said, “Work is one of those good four-letter words, I like it.” He said he enjoys working in retail because “You get to meet the customers themselves, you hear their problems, and you get to help solve them.” (Millar Holmes-Hill, Windsor Star, Ontario)

Waldo McBurney wouldn’t have understood work from a scarcity model. Mr. McBurney worked until shortly before his death at the age of 106. McBurney was named “America’s Oldest Worker for 2006.”

We should be grateful that there is a special day set aside to honor workers. Labor Day recognizes the value and contribution that every kind of work gives to society, and as followers of Jesus, what is given to God. The kind of work is not important; the determination to face each day giving your best is what is important.

Plumber, electrician, lawyer, doctor, nurse, preacher, garbage collector, teacher, homemaker, software engineer, and the list goes on and on with the ultimate command that, “Whatever task you must do, work as if your soul depends on it, as for the Lord and not for humans.” (Col 3:23 NRSV)

“Dear God, today we honor laborers in our country, and I admit, many times I take them for granted. So thank you for reminding me that every worker I see—and even those who work behind the scenes—bear your image. They are valuable and worthy of respect. So today, Lord, would you bless the workers? Help them to see their value both for what they do and for who they are.

I pray for those who put their lives at risk to maintain infrastructures, climb tall electrical towers, service machinery that is dangerous. Protect them, Lord. Let them come home to their families each night.

And Lord, I pray for the employers and CEOs, those who make decisions about salaries and work conditions. I pray that you would help them to make wise decisions, not based on greed or worldly values, but on godly values. I know not everyone operates from that perspective, but I pray that you would begin to open their eyes. Help them to see that everything they enjoy comes from the hands of the workers.

Thank you, Lord, for honoring workers throughout Scripture. Give us your love for all people. Help us to celebrate them not only in our words, but in how we treat them every day, not just on Labor Day.

With respect and gratitude, I lift up this prayer for laborers today. In the name of Jesus. Amen.”(Abide-Stephanie Reeves)

Blessings on this Labor Day,

God is great!