Leo Tolstoy, the brilliant Russian novelist, spoke of how people love to criticize others, but fail to take a hard look within:

In our world everybody thinks of changing humanity, and nobody thinks of changing himself.

In contrast, the apostle Paul offered a drastic shift: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

As Tolstoy alluded, we change humanity by changing ourselves. Then as Paul underlined, we change ourselves by allowing Jesus Christ to overtake our lives. No feigned commitment, crucified signifies all in. God’s gotta to mess us up.

Perhaps this seems simplistic, but I find it hard to change my perspective on life and how to live it without God’s help. I’ve seen others try and fall short. With such a high failure rate, it’s worth considering one solution that actually works.

Galatians 2:20

Photo by Markus Spiske

Washing our hands in soap and water remains the best way to avoid the germs that make us ill. I read recently that this simple procedure is even better than hand sanitizer. If you want clean hands, then wash them.

David wrote of clean hands as we approach the Lord. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

David paired clean hands with a pure heart. It’s not enough to simply look good on the outside, but my life should express a heart that’s attuned to the ways of the Lord. Engaging with his teachings and practicing his ways are required.

I’m daily tempted to lift my soul to what is false. Distorted ideas soil my hands. Using people to my own ends, equating wealth with happiness, elevating self over others, and conveniently ignoring the less palatable portions of the Bible come to mind. Plenty of falsehoods pull at my soul.

The Lord, however, demands allegiance. Not perfection, but loyalty and commitment as we struggle our way up his hill. As we dirty our hands he allows us to wash them again and again.

How to clean ourselves? The Scriptures form the soap and water of our soul. Apply generously, rinse and repeat.

Psalm 24

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya

My book GO: Following Jesus to the Ends of the Earth in now available on Audible (click on the link to take you to the Audible website).

The narrator did a fabulous job (way better than I could have done). I’m grateful for his work and skill in presenting my ideas through his voice. He makes for a good listen.

The book contains reflections on the Lordship of Christ, the Great Commission, and a life of adventure and eternal significance. Anyone considering a mission trip, who knows missionaries, or prays for missionaries, or is just curious about missions will enjoy the book. I hope you’ll check it out.

Famine looms large in the Bible. In one situation, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of want. Joseph rose to power as the king’s right hand man, charged with planning for the impending disaster. Thanks to God’s placement of Joseph in this strategic position, he saved Egypt, his own family and in doing so, the future nation of Israel.

I never worry about getting enough to eat. The prices of eggs are sky-high right now, but I can afford expensive eggs. I’m way more likely to suffer from overeating than starvation. Famine remains a real threat in parts of our world, however, with warfare as a primary cause. In Egypt the famine grew so widespread that neighboring lands suffered as well. People wasted away, grew sick, and died.

In our western society famines rarely arise from the absence of food. In this era of plenty, people suffer instead from loneliness. A dearth of goodwill, coupled with a shortage of forgiveness, stalks our land. Harsh words bloom in our discourses. We endure fear and hopelessness. People waste away, grow sick, and die.

Jesus spoke to breaking such a famine. When asked about the most important commandment to follow, Jesus replied, The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Many of us carry round bellies covering emaciated hearts. As I ask the Holy Spirit to empower me, to apply these words of Jesus to my day to day living, the Lord begins to fatten my soul.

Joseph fed the world with grain stored in vast warehouses. These are an image of the storehouses of the Lord. A life spent following the way of Jesus opens their doors, bringing sustenance to our hope-starved world.

Genesis 41 & Mark 12

Photo by Jodi Mucha