Who's #1?

 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

– Deuteronomy 6:4

The media has long recognized the public's love of lists. Check out the magazine racks in any supermarket and you'll see headlines for the Top 10 Muscle Cars, Best Ways to Renovate Your Home, and the Year's Nastiest Celebrity Breakups. Websites have year-end posts about the nation's biggest political scandals and the most-costly business failures. And cable TV embraces this popular genre through shows like the Top 100 Heavy Metal Videos of All Time, Best Caribbean Beach Resorts, and the Greatest Engineering Disasters of the Century.

But let’s not forget the most-controversial lists of them all (at least in the minds of sports fans). They're the weekly Top 20 rankings of college football and basketball teams — often topics of heated discussion in office break rooms and across the Internet. Of course, everyone has viewpoints about what or who is number one in certain categories. And when it comes to entertainment and sports, we might have a favorite movie or a strong opinion about the NFL's greatest quarterback. But what about something a bit more substantial: 

Who (or what) is #1 in your life?

Is it your family? Your career? Money, vacations ... or perhaps the weekend? Or maybe the answer is as close as the nearest mirror. If it is, join the crowd.

Whatever your response, King Solomon — probably the wisest man who ever lived — could relate. In the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, we read that he partook in every pleasure under the sun to find fulfillment in life. And unfortunately for him, his search in all the wrong places brought him emptiness and sorrow. But we can still gain much from the lessons Solomon learned the hard way: 

First, fulfillment in life comes about only when we live for the right person. And in our case, that means living for God by letting his son (Jesus) live through us. Second, we can find fulfillment only when we live by God's standards. After all, what good does it do if we say we're a Christ-follower on Sundays but live quite differently Monday through Saturday? And finally, we find fulfillment in life only when we live with the right focus. In other words, we must live with eternity in mind. Careers, money, vacations — and even sporting events — may seem important to us now. But they all pale in comparison against what we’re doing to help usher in God's Kingdom on Earth. After all, that’s every Christ-follower’s responsibility.

Now's the time to look again in the mirror and decide who (or what) is really #1 in our lives. And a great way to start is with another look at Solomon’s timeless observations through Ecclesiastes. In today's uncertain economic and political environment, his concise words of wisdom are remarkably relevant and reassuring:

Everything you were taught can be put into a few words: Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about. God will judge everything we do, even what is done in secret, whether good or bad.

Passing the Test

“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

– Genesis 22:12

There’s a scene in 2009’s Star Trek movie reboot where Captain Kirk — then a brash Star Fleet Academy cadet — had to complete a computer-simulation exercise called the Kobayashi Maru Test. Designed by Mr. Spock, this intense exam placed Kirk in a no-win scenario as a starship commander facing the overwhelming force of aggressive Klingon warbirds.

Kirk remained calm as the Klingons opened fire. He even munched on an apple from the comfort of the captain’s chair — all while his exasperated crew wondered aloud if their leader would respond to the barrage. Star Fleet Academy observers also questioned if the cocky cadet took the exercise seriously. But just as the protective shields of Kirk’s vessel were about to fail, the Klingon attack ground to a halt. Then thanks to a few well-aimed photon torpedoes, the enemy spacecraft were quickly destroyed. 

The Kobayashi Maru Test was designed to gauge Kirk’s response to impending defeat against tremendous odds. But since he had reprogrammed the simulation and re-written its conclusion, he could remain confident amidst circumstances that no previous cadet had overcome. 

“I don’t believe in no-win scenarios,” Kirk explained. And why should he? After all, he already knew the story’s outcome.

Maybe our world isn’t under attack from a squadron of Klingon warbirds. But a quick check of the news headlines reveals considerable turmoil in our midst. Thank God (literally) that we don’t have to rely on our own cleverness to overcome it. The good news is that our Creator is in control of the situation. His Word (the Bible) explains that he knew the outcome before the world was even formed. What’s more, he recognized long ago that you and I would need a perfect Savior to deliver us from the consequences of our misdirected lives.

As with Star Trek’s Kobayashi Maru Test, the timing had to be perfect. And so it was. Centuries after the Old Testament had promised his arrival, Jesus was born in an obscure village called Bethlehem — exactly as predicted. Later, Christ fulfilled dozens more prophesies through his remarkable words and deeds. The odds of that happening by chance are astronomical.

How does this relate to Christ’s’ modern-day followers like you and me? 

The takeaway is that when the world seems to be crumbling around us, God’s plans are always trustworthy and on schedule … even when we don’t understand what’s happening. We can’t see things through our Creator’s perspective. But since he wrote our life’s first chapter, last chapter, and everything in between, we can be confident that he already knows our story’s conclusion. 

It’s our faith in God’s timing and provision that builds our strength for the trials we’ll face. And let’s not be deceived: our faith in Him WILL undergo testing. But rest assured, God will always provide for us when we trust Him completely.

Hope for the Best

 This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
but let the one who boasts boast about this:

that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.

– Jeremiah 9:23-24

Most of us have never experienced the devastation of a tsunami, the effects of an Ebola outbreak, or the ravages of a civil war. But we’ve all felt from time to time like our situation had spiraled out of control. And maybe you feel like that today — and for good reason. But have hope: God has it covered.

It's a fundamental truth that every Christ-follower should embrace. But we too often forget it. And a big reason is that we can't see the big picture. We don’t know about the life-changing people and situations that he’ll inject into our existence. We also don’t have his vantage point of knowing what’s around the corner and miles up the road. Moreover, it’s hard for us to see the greater purpose in our lives when we're going through the pain of unemployment, lingering illness, family problems, or even death. But God IS in control. And for those who trust and follow him, he offers this assurance:

"Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you,” says our Creator. “Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Has life become a tidal wave of depression and frustration? Don’t ever lose hope. God knows what we need — and he knows it long before we ask him for help. 

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,” we read in the Book of Micah. “I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”

Music to His Ears

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’”

– Luke 2:13-14

Have you already had your fill of the holidays? 

The decorations went up in many stores before Halloween, and those familiar songs have been playing on the radio for weeks. So, with Christmas just a few days away, maybe now’s a good time to consider what — or better yet who — we’ll celebrate on December 25.

It all starts with the radical notion that God loves us so much that he gave his only Son (Jesus) to personally pay for the mess we’ve all made of our lives as well as a once-unspoiled creation. And with this immense debt now cleared from our account, every believer, through their faith in Christ, is free to serve as his hands and feet throughout the community … and even the world. 

The Bible tells us that about 2,000 years ago, God sent angels — his special messengers — to an obscure corner of the Roman Empire to announce this Good News. And their every contact with humanity proved to change history. It's in the opening chapter of Luke’s gospel that we read about the angel Gabriel’s proclamation to a peasant girl (Mary) that she would soon give birth to the Savior of mankind. An angel also confirmed to Joseph (Mary's fiancé) that the Holy Spirit was the source of her pregnancy. Likewise, angels announced the Good News of Jesus' birth to a group of lowly shepherds, who had seen a brilliant guiding star as it hovered over a manger in Bethlehem. When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another:

“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Today, those same angelic messages remind us that God's plans for the world continue to unfold as scheduled through the lives of Christ-followers like you and me. That’s truly Good News that demands a worthy response — and moreover, one that’s music to His ears. As we read in Psalm 148:2: 

“Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts.”

Breaking Bread

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

– John 6:35

If you're like many people, some of your fondest memories involve food. You might remember Christmas dinner with family whenever you taste roast turkey, stuffing, and green beans. That unmistakable scent of hot dogs, popcorn, and cotton candy could take you back decades to a baseball game or your first state fair. And maybe the sight of a homemade apple pie reminds you of the ones your grandmother used to bake when you'd come for a weekend visit.

Yes, food holds a powerful place in our lives. And it’s not just because we need it to survive. There's something special — even joyful — about sharing a good meal with family and friends. As Christ-followers, we remember our Savior's sacrificial death through Communion: a symbolic meal of bread and grape juice that reminds us of the last supper he shared with his closest followers. The bread and juice represent how Jesus’ body was broken and his blood was shed for us.

While we're considering food and its spiritual significance, did you know there's a simple recipe for cooking up a joy-filled, Christ-centered life? The Bible tells us it's one part unity with other Christ-followers mixed with a measure of regular prayer. Then blend it well with a helping of discernment: the ongoing intentional functions of living, thinking, and acting constructively. It's all about habitually looking for the good and dwelling on the positive.

When our lives are joy-filled and Christ-centered, we can stomach even the most unpleasant of circumstances. The apostle Paul exemplified this truth by spending years in prison chained to his guards … and all while under the constant threat of death. But he always prayed thankfully. And by writing much of what we call today the New Testament, Paul used the situation to change the lives of his fellow prisoners, his jailers, plus millions of believers over the centuries who’d put their faith in Jesus.

So, are you hungry for a tasty slice of joy in your life? 

If you haven't already done so, the first step is to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Those who grasp this opportunity become the ones he calls the Salt of the Earth: those special people whose distinct flavor makes all the difference to an otherwise bland world that's lacking meaning and hope. 

Points of Light

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

– Isaiah 9:2

Launched on Christmas Day 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) continues to make headlines with the stunning images it captures of hyper-distant galaxies, planets, and stars. NASA announced this past September that the JWST is examining the outskirts of the Milky Way called the Extreme Outer Galaxy, which is more than 58,000 light-years away from the Galactic Center. For comparison, the Milky Way’s galactic center is about 28,000 light-years from Earth.

It can take just a tiny point of light on a JWST mirror to change our notions about the universe. But when there are barriers to the light — such as the atmosphere in the case of traditional terrestrial telescopes — we can miss the big picture or be misled by a distorted image. This principle applies to our spiritual lives as well:

“I am the light of the world,” Jesus proclaims in John 8:12. “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

As Christ-followers, our lives should always reflect our Savior’s love in action. But we, too, can face barriers and distortions along the way. For example, the world teaches us to beat the competition, climb the corporate ladder, and keep up with our neighbors. We also need the biggest, the fastest, and the shiniest. And most of all, it’s not bragging if we can back it all up.

Christ has a much different viewpoint: To be first, we must be last. However, it’s long been a human tendency to gaze into the mirror and ponder our warped self-image of importance. But the true message is clear: We are nothing without Jesus, and we can do even less by ourselves. What’s more, it’s when we surrender to God and live out the plans he designed for us at the foundation of the world that we become brilliant points of light that reflect true lives of purpose.

Christ-followers might not make headlines like the JWST, but every day they’re making life-changing differences both big and small by mirroring Jesus through their words and deeds. As we read in Matthew’s gospel:

“In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

 

God With Us

The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which means “God is with us.”

– Matthew 1:23

Perfecting the incandescent lightbulb was no easy feat. 

Thomas Edison, the holder of 1,093 United States patents on technologies ranging from the phonograph to the alkaline battery, tested thousands of materials before finding one that wouldn’t burn out in seconds. In 1879, he solved the dilemma by placing a carbon filament in an airless bulb. And a few months later, Edison improved his design by using a bamboo-derived fiber that could last over 1,200 hours. 

Edison’s tireless quest for illumination is a bit like mankind’s never-ending search for meaning and fulfillment. It’s a spiritual hunger we all share, and it’s hard coded into our DNA. Many people respond through negative pursuits involving drugs, alcohol, compulsive spending, or questionable relationships. Others cope by becoming workaholics or escaping reality through social media, video games, or even travel. But once the thrill is gone, the emptiness returns.

What they really lack and long for is their Creator. And in a very real way, they have a God-shaped hole in their hearts. But the good news is that they CAN fill that dark void. That’s because a relationship with God is available to anyone who puts their faith in his son, Jesus. 

How is this possible? Jesus backed the Biblical claims of his being the so-called Immanuel (“God with us”) by fulfilling dozens of prophesies written centuries before his birth. He lived a perfect, sin-free life. And after his unjust execution on a cross to pay the penalty we all deserve for breaking God’s perfect law, he again fulfilled prophesy through his resurrection. The apostle Paul records that Jesus appeared to over 500 people in the days before his ascension to heaven. And many of them were still alive to confirm it at the time Paul wrote his letter to the Corinthians.

But regardless of all the evidence, the Savior still has plenty of naysayers. But don’t be too hard on modern-day skeptics. Even John the Baptist — the one Jesus called the greatest man ever born — had his doubts:

"Are you the one who was to come,” John instructed his followers to ask, “or should we expect someone else?"

Jesus answered: 

"Go and tell John what you have heard and seen. The blind are now able to see, and the lame can walk. People with leprosy are being healed, and the deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news. God will bless everyone who doesn't reject me because of what I do."

It took weeks of trial and error for Thomas Edison to finally discover a practical solution for electric lighting. But centuries earlier, John the Baptist had already found The Light. And so has every Believer today. It’s through faith in Jesus Christ that we can begin our relationship with Immanuel: the one who is truly God with us.