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The Still Small Voice in Snow

It has been a weekend! There is so much going on – personally, locally, nationally. In the weather, in the news, in sports. Nine inches of snow, meant we had to shovel three times to clear our driveway, but we were blessed with no power outages.

Today I sat for a few minutes, after the third pass at shoveling and marveled at the blanket of snow glistening in the sun. Still perfect, not a footprint, hoof print or other animal track upon it. A breath of fresh air. A vision of purity. All of the mud, dirt and weeds that typically make up our yard, covered with light, soft and sparkling clean, white snow.

Tonight, I realized that I missed the moment to listen. I was too busy marveling and enjoying the view to thank God and listen. I felt a nudge and read part of the first book of Kings:

Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound [a still small voice].

When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, Why are you here, Elijah?

1 Kings 19:11-13

There is so much in this. First, what a blessing to stand before the Lord, but my knees are shaking just thinking about it. Second, the recognition that so much happens around us — a strong, violent wind, an earthquake, a fire — it is not hard to see the parallels in our daily life. But waiting for us through it all is God — a still small voice, a light silent sound. He is not making a big noise, He is not smacking us across the face, He is not forcing us to pay attention to Him, but He is there, waiting for us to listen. Waiting for us to choose Him. I have heard the phrase “a still small voice” before, but not sure I had ever paid attention to the passage that it came from. And now I really just want to soak it all in.

But before I can do that, what struck me even more was the next verse: Why are you here? That really is the question, isn’t it? I really need to sit and listen a bit more, but WOW, I feel like my heart has just been washed clean with its own blanket of snow, its own fresh canvas, waiting for me to make new tracks.

Lord,

Thank you for the beautiful, cleansing and purifying snowfall. Thank you for being there through the strong violent winds, the earthquakes and the fires, always waiting for us. Thank you for the guidance you provide when we listen.

I am ready to sit still. I am ready to shake off all of the troubles around me. I am ready to listen. Create in me a clean heart, wiped clean with the cold, refreshing, pure snow. Clear my previous tracks like you have with the snow, guide my new tracks in the right direction. Help me to always know, why I am here.

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I Choose My King

We have a history of looking to kings. We revere them, are fascinated by them, watch movies about royal romances. Even in countries like the U.S. that broke away from “kings” we still put individuals on pedestals, give them power, look for them to lead and defend us. Some may be politicians, some may be sports heroes, some may be movie stars. We revere them, are fascinated (if not sometimes obsessed with them) and watch movies, reality shows or 24-hour news about them. We look to them to lead us and influence our lives. We have a whole generation of individuals looking to be kings or “influencers.”

I started reading the first book of Samuel this morning. As Samuel was getting older, the people begged him to “Give us a king to rule us.” Samuel prayed and the Lord told him “You are not the one they are rejecting. They are rejecting me as their king.” The Lord told Samuel to go ahead and give the people what they wanted but told him to warn them:

“The governance of the king who will rule you will be as follows: He will take your sons and assign them to his chariots and horses, and they will run before his chariot. He will appoint from among them his commanders of thousands and of hundreds. He will make them do his plowing and harvesting and produce his weapons of war and chariotry. He will use your daughters as perfumers, cooks, and bakers. He will take your best fields, vineyards, and olive groves, and give them to his servants. He will tithe your crops and grape harvests to give to his officials* and his servants. He will take your male and female slaves, as well as your best oxen and donkeys, and use them to do his work. He will also tithe your flocks. As for you, you will become his slaves. On that day you will cry out because of the king whom you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you on that day.”

1 Samuel 8:11-18

Despite the warning the people insisted they wanted a king to rule them, to lead them into warfare and to fight their battles. Not surprisingly, it didn’t work out as they had hoped.

I am not aware of any “king” whether royal or elected that has worked out how we might hope (regardless of political party or country). They fail, like we fail, when we fail to fear and serve the Lord, when we turn from Him, when we think that our power is greater than Him. We are reminded throughout the Bible:

If you fear and serve the LORD, if you listen to the voice of the LORD and do not rebel against the LORD’s command, if both you and the king, who rules over you, follow the LORD your God—well and good.

But if you do not listen to the voice of the LORD and if you rebel against the LORD’s command, the hand of the LORD will be against you and your king.

Samuel 12:14-15

I do not subscribe to any king or any party. I know that I cannot control anyone else. I know that only God can truly lead me and that God should be my only influencer. I am in control of me. The Bible’s message is focused on me. If I fear and serve the Lord, if I listen to the voice of the Lord, if I don’t rebel against the Lord… I can choose what king I allow to rule over me or influence my heart. I choose who to revere, who to follow with my words, my deeds and my heart. I choose the only king who will not disappoint. I choose Jesus.

There are so many fake kings, fake idols, fake influencers and a constant battle in the media to crown more. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we spent as much time revering, following, talking about our true king?

Lord,

You are my King! You are the only leader of my heart. Help me reject the fake kings, fake idols and fake influencers of this world vying for my attention. Help me to keep my eyes, my ears and my focus on you!

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Seek Peace and Pursue It

I do not know anything about Greenland. I am not in the room for the discussions. I do not know what the right answer is. I do not know anything about Venezuela. I, thankfully, was not there. I do not know what the right answer is. I do not know anything about Minnesota. I was not there for the events flooding the media — whether it is the ICE events or the murder of children during mass. I do not know what the right answer is. I do not know what is going on in Congress, in the White House or in the Supreme Court. I am not there. I do not know what the right answer is

Most days, I barely know what the right answer is for the things I am there for — my own interactions and daily life challenges. But like many, I find myself commenting on things that I do not know. Tonight, on the day we remember Martin Luther King, I am called to a verse that he once used:

Keep your tongue from evil, your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 34:14-15

I don’t always know where the evil is… but I know where the good is. I don’t always know where the lies are — particularly in this new world of AI. But I know where the Truth is. When I am lost in this world, when this world deceives me, when I want to pursue peace, I must start, with the beginning of this same Psalm:

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be always in my mouth. My soul will glory in the LORD; let the poor hear and be glad. Magnify the LORD with me; and let us exalt his name together.

Psalm 34:2-4

I cannot focus on the world and expect to find peace. I need to focus on God. In this Psalm, it starts with us individually blessing the Lord at all times, keeping his praise ever in our mouth, but moves to US coming together and exalting his name together. We may disagree on many things — but we can start to come together when we praise God together. I find so much peace in the next verse:

I sought the LORD, and he answered me, delivered me from all my fears. Look to him and be radiant, and your faces may not blush for shame.

Psalm 34:5-6

Lord,

Help me seek and pursue peace. Peace in my own heart. Peace in those around me. Peace in this world. You are my peace. You are where my soul rejoices and finds glory. Magnify in me. Let me exalt with others in your name. I know when I turn to you, I am delivered from all of my fears of all that is around me. Shower your radiance on me. Let me be unashamed of your glory. Let me stand tall in your Truth so that all can see and we may come together in you and your peace. You are my everything!

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Rouse One Another To Good

I am exhausted. Exhausted from the daily news. Exhausted from politics. Exhausted from social media. Exhausted from technology. Exhausted from processed food. Exhausted from work and general busyness. Exhausted! And yet I continue to turn to all of these things, even though none of it makes any sense.

It is new year resolution time and I long for Peace. Time. Quiet. I long to spend time with God, to sit quietly with God, to listen to His word. I know this is what I need, but it is halfway through January and I haven’t made any resolution or taken any action to do better.

I was blessed this week to spend some time sitting on a beach, but it left me feeling more tired than ever because my thoughts were still in the busyness of the world.

Better than a beach, I was blessed to spend time with a dear friend who I haven’t seen in a while. And she gave me the greatest gift — the gift of friendship, the gift of time, the gift of reminding me how important our faith is and most importantly how important it is to rouse each other. In Hebrews, we are reminded:

We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Hebrews 10: 24-25

I have been roused. This is what I needed. We all know what is good, what is right. But the collective world spins in a different direction. It is critical that we rouse one another to love and good works, that we rouse one another to gather as God’s people and in His name, that we encourage one another to do good and to love.

Lord,

Thank you for making us in your image. Thank you for creating others in your image to assist us on this journey. Thank you for calling on us to rouse each other. Help me to continue to gather in your name, to rouse and encourage others as you have roused and encouraged me and to be receptive to your Word and encouragement. Thank you for providing us with another year. Help me to focus on your will and not my own. Help me to be a reflection of you to others. Thank you for sending so many good people, so many reflections of you, into my life!

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When the Son of Man Comes, Will He Find Faith on Earth?

Jesus asks this question after telling the parable of the persistent widow: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Luke 18:8.

I heard that this morning and immediately my heart cried out, “Oh I hope so!” And then “Oh I hope He finds it in me.”

Will he find faith on earth?  We can easily look lots of places and say no.  The world certainly seems to have lost faith.  And in many places it seems to actively reject faith.  The country is divided as we have political fights about faith. There is often a mockery of faith present in the media and even more so in social media. And everywhere you look it appears we are clinging to everything but God.   

But then there are other places where faith appears to be rebounding.  We are seeing revivals on college campuses, worship sessions that last for days, a top football team leading a Jesus revival. We see more shirts, apparel and other items referring to faith, Jesus and God.  And there seems to be a call for more.

Is that faith?

My heart rejoices when I see the stories of revival, when I hear God mentioned positively in the media, when I see a story of faith. I order t-shirts with Christian messages, I listen to Christian music, I look for movies with Christian messages. But I still feel myself pursuing things of this world. Looking for approval from this world. Shopping on Amazon for things I don’t need. Worried about security in this world. Is that faith? Is it faith when we are still clinging to worldly things?  Is it faith when we cling to schedules that don’t include time for God?  Is it faith when we cling to our iPhone our social media likes, our pursuit of wealth, power or control.  Is it faith when we have to be right in a political debate, when we are angry at those who seem to personify what we deem the loss of faith in the world? Is it faith when there is still dust on our own Bibles? Is it faith when we show up on Sunday morning for an hour, but return to our Netflix binge watch, our social media brags or our squabbles with each other by Sunday afternoon. 

I want the faith that puts God first. We, or I, allow God to compete among the many things that we create.  Netflix has over 5,000 shows for us to choose.  There are roughly 34 million TikTok videos posted every day for us to watch.  Amazon has over 350 million things for us to purchase.  We are surrounded by options and choices that are not God.  We have millions of idols around us that we choose over God time and time again.  Our schedules are filled with so much overload.  As much as think I want certain things in the world, I know I am happiest when I am spending time with God. And yet I still find myself distracted… constantly … by the things in the world.

Oh Lord, I want the faith that you want to find.  I want the faith that doesn’t rely on any possession, any social media like, any monetary value, any approval from those in the world. I want the faith that has me choosing you every day over everything else. It is easy for me to blame the world and condemn the world for its lack of faith. I want to increase my faith regardless of the world around me. Lord, I know I need you. Please send your Holy Spirit.  Fill me.  Overload me so there is not room for anything else. So that my words and actions reflect my faith and your love.

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Death is Hard, But Peace Awaits

Funerals are hard.  Saying good bye is hard.  Facing memories of those we love who we can no longer see is hard.  Seeing a lifeless body where so much joy and spirit used to be is painful.  Being confronted with our own mortality can be crushing. 

It can be hard and painful and crushing when we focus on just this world.  A life in this world has ended.  BUT we were not made just for this world.  We were made for so much more.  The book of Wisdom tells us:

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.

They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction.

But they are in peace.

Wisdom 3:1-3

We on earth can forget and view them as dead.  We can feel the utter destruction of their passing, but when we turn to God, when we remember His promises, when we have the faith and Hope in Him, we know…  our dearly departed is in peace.  Not at peace… in peace.  Because they still are. 

Our life on earth is temporary.  It may be the only thing we know for certain and the only thing we can all agree on. The torment, the affliction, the destruction is temporary.  The peace of God is forever, for the just, for those who put their trust in God, for those who turn to God, for those who keep God central in their life, despite the torment, affliction and destruction around them.  Everything around us is temporary… except God, except the love of God, a love that we can share with others.

Lord,

I long to live in your peace.  I hand over my pain, my struggles, my torment and afflictions.  You sent your Son to rescue us, to defeat death and to bring us to everlasting peace.  I trust in you. Help me to do your will in this life.  Help me to bring your peace to others.

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Jesus Wept

Jesus wept. The shortest verse in the bible, but oh so powerful. Jesus wept at the death of his friend Lazarus, even though he knew he would resurrect him.

Tonight, I weep for the loss of my friend. I weep for myself and the loss I feel. I weep for her family, her husband and young children. I weep for her friends. I weep because the world has lost a unique individual who cannot be replaced. I weep.

But I also pray. I pray for her resurrection into eternal life and rest. I pray for God’s love and comfort to surround her and her family and friends. I pray for wisdom and understanding. I pray.

And I feel. I feel Jesus weeping with me. I feel comfort in knowing that he knows my sorrow. I feel the loving shepherd swooping me up, like the lost sheep, into His arms. I feel.

Lord,

I know we do not know the hour and our time on earth is short. It is hard to lose someone so young, but I have hope in the Resurrection. I weep. But I know you weep with me. Take Megan into your loving arms. Hold her family close. Protect them from harm. Grant them the wisdom and the grace that they will need.

And Lord, help me to gird my loins so that I am ready when you call. Help me to be ready at each watch of the night. Help me to know your path and not my own. Father, may your will be done and may I glorify you in all that I do.

Thank you for sharing Megan with us. Though I wish I had more time, I am grateful for the time we shared. I trust in You and I rejoice in the Hope of eternal life.

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Be The Light You Are Called To Be

The world is dark. It is so easy to become enveloped in the darkness, to close our eyes to it, to pull our covers around us, to blame others for the darkness and to wait for someone else to bring us light.

But Jesus told us:

You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:14-16

We are not called to hide in the darkness. We are not called to wait for someone else to shine a light. We are called to be the light. We are called to light the path for others. We are called to glorify God through our light.

It is easy to blame others. It is easy to give up and shelter in place. It is easy to think, what can I do. My light is not big enough. My light is not bright enough. My light is not strong enough. All of this is easy if we think that we have to provide the light. If we are so braggadocious to think it is all about us and our light, our strength and our brilliance. Of course, we do not create light, which is why it is easy for us to sit in the darkness. We are the light of the world when we follow Jesus.

Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

We do not have to create the light. Whoever follows Jesus will have the light. But we cannot hide under a bushel basket. We cannot hide under the covers. We cannot expect someone else to shine the light. We have to stand up. We have to open our eyes. We have to open our arms and our hearts and stretch out wide so that we are big and strong and the light of Christ can shine though us, and reflect off every inch of us. Light one candle in a dark room and witness what one candle can do (even a very small one). Walk outside on a full moon night. Like us the moon does not create its own light but it is a powerful reflection of the sun. (We too can be a powerful reflection of the Son). On a clear night, when the moon is not hiding behind clouds, it provides enormous light. You can walk without need for a flashlight. It shines light into our homes if our shades are up and we let it in. Our light, our reflection of Jesus’ love can shine into the hearts of others who are open to letting it in.

Arise! Shine, for your light has come, the glory of the LORD has dawned upon you. Though darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds, the peoples, Upon you the LORD will dawn, and over you his glory will be seen. Nations shall walk by your light, kings by the radiance of your dawning.

Isaiah 60:1-3

It is easy to bemoan the darkness around us. It is easy to bemoan the evil. It is easy to bemoan the generation of nonbelievers and the empty pews at church. It is easy to ask why isn’t someone doing something about this.

Do something. Be the light. Follow Jesus. Fill your heart, your soul and your spirit with the love of Jesus. And don’t hide it. Let the world see your love. Let the world see your strength to stand up and follow Jesus. Let the world see your brilliance.

Jesus,

I want to follow you in my words and deeds. I want to be filled with your light. Help me to pull the covers off, to open my eyes in the face of darkness, to stand proud in your light. I want your light to shine through me. I want to reflect your love and your brilliance to others. I want my life to be spent glorifying God through my words and deeds. Help me.

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Don’t Return That Gift

Christmas is over. Holiday cheer is gone and we are now fighting in the stores to return those gifts that weren’t exactly what we wanted. The sweater that “didn’t fit”, the gift we did not even take out of the package because we didn’t know what to do with it, the puzzle that was too hard. And all of the other “well-meaning” gifts that we didn’t think we wanted or needed.

As we focus on the material gifts and whether they fit our wants and needs, what are we doing with the true gift? Have we taken the time to even open it? Have we taken it out of the package? Have we read the instructions? Have we tried what seems hard? Did we decide it didn’t fit without attempting to try it on? Did we decide we didn’t need it or want it because it was too hard to understand?

We know what the true meaning of Christmas is, but did we accept the gift? Or did we put it on a shelf or away in a box til next year?

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

John 3:16

This is the greatest gift. This is the gift we are reminded of every Christmas. And yet we spend too much time ignoring it, ignoring Him. Perhaps, without even meaning to, we reject the gift. It takes more time than a video game or an air fryer to fully understand. We can’t just press a button to make it work. We need to take the time to read the instructions, read the scriptures, read God’s word. We need to take time to be in His presence. We need to put the work in to believe, to have faith, to fully embrace the gift that we have been given. We may not think it is what we want or what we need, but it is. God is what we want. He is what we need. He is what we are longing for. His love can and should be returned (in kind) and regifted, but first we must accept it.

Lord,

Thank you! Thank you for the greatest gift that we could ever ask for. Thank you for sending your son to us, for suffering for us, when we turned away. As we start the new year, help me to accept your gift with open arms. Help me to take the time to read your word, to listen, to be present with you. Help me to keep Christmas in my heart throughout the year and to not reject or ignore the gift that you have given. And help me to regift and return that gift in kind to others so that they too may feel and experience the greatest gift of all.

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What Journey Are You Planning?

Today’s gospel was one I struggle with. In fact, I read ahead while I was sitting in the pew and am fairly certain I let out an audible and heavy sigh as I read these words (which I know so well):

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Mark 10:17-22

Every time I read this or hear it at mass, I feel like my face also falls. Does this mean I have to give up everything? EVERYTHING I have worked so hard for? EVERYTHING I enjoy on earth?

The priest at mass gave a beautiful homily, focusing on the journey rather than giving anything up. He asked if we were going on a journey, what three things would we bring and suggested that the three readings today suggest that we should bring wisdom, the word of God as our guidebook, and faith. At the end he asked, when we thought about going on a journey — where were we thinking of going? This struck me (because I really had not thought about it).

When we are planning a vacation, we plan for it, sometimes for months. We read guidebooks or google. We plan what to pack, where to stay, what to see. We put in the work, sacrifice and save (sometimes for months), to make sure the trip of a week or two weeks will be nice. We talk to our friends and family about it (sometimes ad nauseum). At the end of which, we have pictures, souvenirs and memories. Similarly, as we prepare for our retirement, we plan for it. We read books, google or even attend seminars on it. We plan what we will need for hopefully what will be years. We put in the work, sacrifice and save. We talk to our friends and family about it. We even have countdowns and parties to celebrate it. We spend months planning for vacation and years planning for retirement.

But where are we really going and what journey do we really want to be on? Are we as excited about eternal life in our Father’s house, as we are about our upcoming beach vacation or our retirement plan? Are we focused on it and planning for it? Are we putting in the work and willing to sacrifice some things now? Are we talking to our friends and family about it? Would we give up the vacation for it? Would we give up our possessions and the comforts in this world for it? Have we set our sights, our hopes and our focus on God and being with Him?

Personally, I know, it is easy for me to push it to the back of my mind, to put my focus on things on earth, rather than to focus on God, to focus on the week vacation now, rather than eternal life. It seems absolutely silly when I say it out loud. Is it just the distraction of the riches, the technologies, the everyday life, the social media around us? Is it the procrastinator in us, thinking we have time to plan for that later? Is it a lack of faith? Is it choosing this world over God? Or is it a lack of trust that the dream vacation (heaven) is real or really for me?

The Good News is even though we may ignore God, even though at times we may choose this world over Him, God is still waiting for us. He is still waiting to welcome us aboard. He still has a seat reserved for us and an itinerary planned. I know that the eternal life that Jesus has promised is there and I know that it is impossible for me to attain on my own, but that everything is possible for God. (And, yes, that requires me to give up the control I like to have — I cannot get in a car and drive there by whatever path I want on my time schedule). God is ready for me and ready to steer my ship. But … I don’t get to control the timing and God is not going to force us to plan a journey with Him. We have to choose that (and choose that before the ship departs the last time).

Lord,

I know I am still lacking. But I want to choose you over every possession on earth. I want to plan my eternal vacation and retirement with you! Help me to find the courage and faith to follow your plan and not my own. I want your trip tik, your itinerary, not my own. I don’t want to procrastinate any longer. I want to be loud and proud about the journey I am on. I want to put my focus and my efforts into your journey. Grant me the grace and patience that I need. My paradise, my treasure, is with you.