At the Crossroads

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 

– Jeremiah 17:7

Are you one of those people who hates to ask for directions? 

Douglas Corrigan was a prime example. And his legendary stubbornness would briefly make him the world's most famous man.

Born in Galveston, TX, Corrigan was a skilled mechanic and pilot who helped build the Spirit of St. Louis — Charles Lindbergh's famous airplane that crossed the Atlantic in 1927. Corrigan dreamed of one day repeating the hero aviator's remarkable feat. But time after time, the federal government refused to certify his modified aircraft for transatlantic flight.

Corrigan got his chance 11 years later. Frustrated by the endless delays and red tape, he apparently gave up his quest and submitted his official plans for a flight home to California. His plane took off at night from the New York runway shrouded in thick fog … and (allegedly) guided by a malfunctioning compass. It was nearly 30 hours later that Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan landed in Dublin, Ireland. The determined Texan became an instant celebrity for flying halfway around the globe from his intended destination. And soon he received a New York City tickertape parade that was bigger than Lindbergh's!

Every Christ-follower is a bit like Wrong Way Corrigan when it comes to navigating their faith-journey. Their compass tends to malfunction, and they can easily lose sight of their goals and destination. They’re also confused about which college to attend, which significant other to marry, and which job to take. 

Discerning God's will is the answer. But how do we do that?

Let's first look at what NOT to do. Society tells us to follow our heart and be true to ourself. But that's in direct opposition to Scripture because we're first to be true to God. "Who can understand the human heart," we read in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah. "There is nothing else so deceitful; it is too sick to be healed."

Let's now consider Jesus' example as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest and execution. Christ had a big decision to make. And he asked God if there might be some other way to achieve the eternal plan for mankind’s salvation that was set in motion at the foundation of the world:

"Father, if it is possible, don't let this happen to me!" Jesus petitioned. "Father, you can do anything. Don't make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want."

The lesson here is that surrendering completely to God's will is our first step to knowing it. When we do, the Creator’s answer can be startling — but it will never contradict his word in the Bible. Moreover, don't be surprised if he answers through a situation or opportunity that you’d never considered before. After all, our ways — God says — are not his ways. And his thoughts are not our own.

A Penny for Your Thoughts

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.

– Romans 15:5

According to the CoinNews website, the United States Mint produced 4.5 billion pennies in 2023. And on each one you’ll find two brief sayings of immense importance.

First, the motto In God We Trust appears above Abe Lincoln’s profile. Now, look at the coin’s reverse side. There you’ll see the phrase E Pluribus Unum, which is Latin for Out of many, one. An early motto of the United States, it’s a reminder that our nation was born when the 13 colonies united behind the common cause of liberty. The Founding Fathers from Massachusetts often clashed politically and socially with their compatriots from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Georgia. But they set aside their many differences to write the Declaration of Independence, win the Revolutionary War, and eventually ratify the Constitution.

Here’s where the Bible lesson comes in: The Church — meaning all the Christ-followers on Earth — is also an entity that’s marked by distinct differences. Believers come from various religious traditions and have a broad range of preferences regarding worship music and sermon style. Likewise, the Church is also a place where all races are welcome and present. It mingles the rich, the poor, and the middle class. But what unites them all — or at least should bring them together — is a common faith and focus on Jesus as Lord and Savior.

And that’s just the way God wants it. Shortly before his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus prayed to his Father about the Church — and not just his original followers, but also Believers like us in the centuries to follow: 

"I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Christ’s prayer for his followers’ unity links the dusty streets of 1st century Israel with the crowded superhighways of modern North America and Europe … and everywhere in between. Moreover, it’s a reminder that Believers were never meant to go through life alone. Instead, we’re to gather regularly to share our joys, troubles, triumphs — and even doubts — all to strengthen our walks of faith. And since the human experience has its share of disappointments, we’re also to encourage one another. As the apostle Paul admonished some of the earliest Christ-followers through 1 Thessalonians:

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

To Protect and to Serve

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

– Romans 12:10

To Protect and to Serve are the familiar words that once appeared on law enforcement vehicles across America. According to LAPD Online, the Los Angeles Police Department held a contest back in 1955 to suggest the police academy’s motto. The rules stipulated that entries should “in a few words … express some or all the ideals to which the Los Angeles police service is dedicated. It is possible that the winning motto might someday be adopted as the official motto of the Department." Eight years later, the credo began appearing on LA’s patrol cars next to the city seal.

Service is also integral for Christ-followers. Indeed, we’re called to serve as Jesus’ hands and feet on earth while we wait for his return — or at least until that day when he calls us back home. Until then, God wants us to help prepare his kingdom by making the most of the gifts and talents he’s given us. What’s more, we’re to serve as a beacon amidst the darkness of today’s so-called enlightened society:

“Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.”

That’s what Jesus tells us through Matthew’s gospel. But what sort of light does he mean?

It’s that spark that empowers every Believer to serve others at home, in the community … and throughout the world. For example, we can shine a light by running a much-needed errand for an elderly neighbor. We can help clean up a neglected school or a community park — or even work in a food pantry or visit the residents of a local assisted living community. The possibilities are endless.

Why is the principle of service so important for Christ-followers?

“In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served,” Jesus explains. “He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people.”

Our Master — Jesus — focused his ministry on serving those who were helpless to help themselves. So as his modern-day disciples, we should turn our faith in him into acts of service by shining our own light of hope and truth amidst the distractions of a bleak, distorted world.

Family Feud

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

– Romans 12:18

We probably don’t need the American Psychological Association (APA) to remind us, but the stress we tend to experience at home, in the workplace — and even on vacation or the holidays — can test our job performance, health, and personal relationships. In fact, whenever families gather, tensions can peak. Sometimes it's because of intrusions into precious personal space, like when the in-laws spend the night (or week) in a house that's already too close for comfort. There's also that outcast teenager who perceives their older relatives as judgmental, critical, or demanding. And let's not forget those pleasant Thanksgiving dinner table conversations about politics and religion.

As stress expert Elizabeth Scott, M.S., rightly observes: "Many a happy holiday has been found by groups of people who have decided to celebrate with friends instead of family."

If this hits close to home, you're in very good company. Jesus — the Son of God — was also often misunderstood by those closest to him. Even his own brothers didn’t believe in him at first. It’s in Mark’s gospel that we read this familiar observation from the Savior:

"A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives
and his own family.”

Jesus understood this stress-filled facet of the human experience long before the APA released its survey. “In this world you will have trouble,” he assures us. So with this in mind, maybe we should approach the issue differently. How much better would things be if every Christ-follower adopted a humble servant’s attitude and put the interests of others, even their family members, before their own? 

Jesus answered this question through his own example. First, he willingly surrendered the royal privileges of being God’s only Son. He entered the world in the most modest of circumstances — a birth among farm animals in a filthy stable. And when he grew older, he learned to make a living with his hands as a carpenter. And finally, his ultimate act of humility was to suffer the death of a common criminal to personally pay the price for the misguided ways we’ve lived our lives and mistreated others. It was a selfless mission that our Creator had planned for him since the foundation of the world.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,” Jesus explains, “and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

As Christ-followers, we’re not exempt from conflict. But Jesus assures us that through God, all things are possible — even peaceful family get-togethers during vacations and the holidays. So, with Thanksgiving and Christmas still months away, let’s now consider the words of Psalm 122:8 with fresh eyes and a humble heart:

“For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’”