This verse gently reminds me that I can tell story after story, but still not know the effect, whether great or small.  And I’m also reminded that the focus of our work is not in numbers, not in stories, and not in the adventure.  It’s in relating the glory of God for the purpose of reconciliation.  As you read the next few stories from this blog, consider God’s hand at work and the way in which He is elevated to a high place of honor and glory.  For when we go as we are called and share as we are commissioned, He works. Through sinful man, He works. Whether five people on the train hear the gospel and are saved or the young lady in the park said “no” to Him, He works.  We cannot know and we cannot measure.

John also reminds us here that knowledge of Christ, no matter the testimony, is still partial, and everything Jesus did during his three and a half years on earth is unreported and unknown.  Christ can never be known exhaustively, and therefore, His work through us can never be known exhaustively.  Each person will come away from a mission trip with a different story, a different testimony and a different perspective.

I was in Russia for a total of 15 days, and in that time I saw and heard many great and wonderful testimonies of transformation.  But I will only share a few so that you can know the amazing ways in which God works in Russia.  And even if I were to share all that I heard and saw, it still would be a partial report.  Much happens in the spiritual realm that is left hidden from us, and whether we work abroad temporarily, permanently or stay home, we must be acutely aware of that truth.

In a short commentary found in WORLD magazine, HCJB Global President Wayne Pederson writes, “Proclaiming the Gospel is not just for the salvation of individual souls—though it is just that—but also for the reconciliation of the world.  Scripture clearly states that Christ came to reconcile all creation to himself which makes our message more, not less, compelling.” 

May God have the GLORY.  Amen.

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Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  – 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NASB)

Theresa stood behind the counter going over my purchases when a friend of hers walked in and said hello. We three chatted a little about the heat and I made some comment about being a runner but having to stay indoors for my runs because of the humidity. Theresa’s friend teased her about her upcoming triathlon, and they both laughed about that as a future prospect. But Theresa quickly became serious and said that the hopes of any triathlon were nonexistent because “we don’t have much time left.” She looked away as she totaled my order.

As a Christian, I hear that a lot. As a matter of fact, I’m quite certain the whole world heard about that not too long ago with the false prediction of the end of the world on May 21^st. Just in case, I checked in on the other side of the world at 5pm and it was still intact, so I knew we were okay–at least for one more day. There have been other predictions, and there are more to come with a huge community of people who have formed focus and support groups, many believing that the world will end in 2012. A simple Google search for “2012″ and “the end of the world” brings up nearly 300,000 hits. And YouTube hosts more than 65,000 clips informing and warning viewers about their fate in 2012.

Theresa’s prediction was based the earth’s core shifting, something she watched on TV, and no doubt, researches in the Internet. She also believes that we have less than a year left. I tried to make light of her seriousness and encouraged her to do that triathlon before the final countdown. Her friend chimed in and said she should make a final announcement on Facebook. Theresa didn’t like that either. “Oh,” she said, as she handed me my change. “That’s not good either. Anyone in their right mind should get off Facebook right away.” I immediately thought of the resources and friends I would miss.

As I drove from the store, I began thinking in hindsight how I missed the opportunity to ask Theresa what she plans to do in her year left on this earth. Or better, encourage her to live in joy, not fear; to know Christ and love and serve Him. I could have invited her to lunch to discuss her future plans for the next 365 days. And then I began thinking of all the counter clerks who fear the world. I imagined they work their eight hours, count the change, close the store and go home to another episode of Discovery Channel. They review the calendar and pencil in important things to do before the end of days. They feel a rumble under their feet and wonder of the impending doom. They know it can’t be reversed, so they warn us between transactions because, deep inside, they’re scared. And in a way, they’re right.

Honestly, I don’t like getting philosophical with counter clerks I don’t know, but I think I missed an opportunity to share Christ here. Whether or not Theresa knows Christ is unknown to me, but it is apparent she is thinking of human mortality, and if she’s willing to say these things out loud to a perfect stranger then I can only imagine what unspoken questions she has when the lights go out each night.

I thank God that I don’t fear the world and all its danger. I don’t even fear death, but I’m not foolish enough to think that the world could not stand still on its axis or that the days I plan have an expiration date. With God, anything is possible. In the meantime, I do ask that God make me strong enough to remember those who are lost and live in fear. They live without peace or hope, and whether they have one day left or a hundred, they are not far from truth which can set them free from the bondage of fearing the world. This world has nothing to offer and nothing to promise any of us. Jesus tells us in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Even in trials, Christ is near. He left His Holy Spirit to give us comfort and hope when the world offers shallow responses to questions contemplated and left hanging over the counter.

It is the soul reconciled to God which no longer lives in fear. Our only hope for these days–one or a thousand–is in Christ. We anxiously wait for His coming, but He patiently waits for us to share with those who still need to hear. This is a race but it’s also more than that. It’s a responsibility. And if we are ones who are reconciled to God, then we are given the responsibility to share Christ with those who live in fear.

When I return to the store in late August I plan to stop by and say hello to Theresa. And this time, I’ll invite her to lunch.

On the third day of our trip, we met Glenda, an 89-year-old widow.  Once a gifted and graceful ballerina, she sat in her tiny apartment, sharing stories of her glory days, and becoming so entrenched that when she stood to show us a dance, she nearly collapsed.  Remembering her deformed feet, she reclaimed her seat on the tiny sofa and quickly composed herself.  Glenda would never dance again; never again dazzle audiences with her once vibrant grace and beauty.  She laid her hands in her lap and asked why we had come.  We shared the story of Christ and His love; we shared the beauty of our Creator.  She waved her hand at us, “Yes, yes, I know,” she said.  “Tell me something I don’t know!” I realized that while Glenda knew, she still would not trust.

Her grown son entered the apartment and her elderly eyes lit up.  She was full of delight, and nestled him beside her on the sofa. While my friend talked to him about the Lord, Glenda would attempt to change the subject or waive her hand at our “foolish talk.” But I couldn’t shake the feeling of love I had for her, and as we left her apartment I turned and told her that God wants her to dance again; He wants her to dance in heaven.  There was no response.  The door closed, and my heart broke.  (Koroblino, Russia, August 2010)

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Glenda’s story is one of many I could tell, but this penetrates me most because, unlike the other people we visited, there was no visible impact when we shared the Gospel.  I feel it demonstrates the enormous need for hope, trust and freedom from despair for the people of Russia.  It also demonstrates the reality of mission work: some hear and are changed; some hear and turn away.  But it’s not our job to save the lost.  We merely listen, we tell the wonders of Christ, and then we pray.

E3 is a church planting ministry dedicated to taking the Gospel to the nations.  They work strategically with churches already in place to help establish new churches in areas where none exist.  In our Western minds, that’s difficult to understand because we have churches everywhere.  But in nations like Russia, very few Evangelical churches exist for hundreds of miles.  E3 works with Russian Christian nationals who are committed to following-up with the people we meet.  They dedicate themselves to starting these new churches, however small, but so desperately needed.

I’ve been working strategically with E3 team leadership for the past year, and have accepted the invitation to return and work with two back-to-back mission campaigns in early August.  And while I’ll be working with teams who GO, I need to build a team who will SEND.  A sending team is committed to prayer before, during and after the campaign.  I humbly request your prayers for this important and strategic trip.

Secondly, a sending team can also help give financially.  The total cost of both trips is $4000, and I’ve already contributed some of my own money to the mission.  The balance is due June 15, and I’m praying that God would bring sending partners who will pray and can help with the remaining cost.  Please see visit my sponsor page to help.

Thank you for prayerfully considering this request to join my sending team.  Together, and through faith, we can anticipate the movement of the Lord and trust that His arm is not too short to save the lost, nor His ear too dull to hear their call—and our prayers.  Thank you for praying for people like Glenda.

Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. – Isaiah 59:1

And Samuel said, ”Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD?  Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”  -1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV)

Word Study

• delight (willingly taking pleasure in something)
• better (to make good; to do well; to adorn)
• sacrifice (an offering)
• obey (to hear)

How refreshing that our God, unlike other gods, does not rely on our sacrifices to be who He is or to reveal Himself to us.  God willingly takes pleasure in our obedience first and calls this a greater thing when compared to the sacrifice.  It doesn’t matter how grand our sacrifice, if it’s done without obedience it gains nothing.  But, oh, how tempting it is for us to sacrifice rather than obey.  We struggle with obedience because our flesh contends for self-magnification and idolatry, which ultimately rejects the Lord and makes gods of ourselves.  Obedience requires the intentional work of our will toward reflective, analytical and spiritual worship.

It’s interesting that the word obey here means to hear.  Even more interesting is that in many parts of the New Testament the word means to trust.  Hearing God, then, is closely related to trusting Him and visa versa.  God does not need our obedience for His purpose to prevail.  He will continue to glorify Himself and reveal His purpose whether we obey Him or not.  Our failure to hear and trust Him leaves us in a state of disarray.  We will not be under God’s protection and will fall prey to every evil temptation under the sun.

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.” –Deuteronomy 28:1-6

Here in Deuteronomy 28 we see the glorious, life-giving blessings of obedience.  They are both temporal and spiritual.  They glorify God and give Him power as the HOLY GOD as we are blessed! They reveal Christ and the work of His Holy Spirit in our lives.  And through our humility there is faith, grace, purity and godliness.  Foreign to the life of a Christian are anarchy, chaos, disobedience, and disrespect.  Brethren, if you are ruled by any of these traits, it’s time to seek the face of Christ and beg His sweet forgiveness so that you may be filled with His blessings and live a life of unaltered joy and peace which surpasses the understanding of man.

If we love God enough, we will obey; we will keep his commandments. Let us so think of the temporal and spiritual blessings that He has showered upon us, and His constant, surrounding loving-kindness that out of appreciation we will hear Him, trust Him and love Him enough to do what He asks. Our gratitude to God can be expressed only in loving, humble obedience to his will.

Heavenly Father, continue to strip me of the temptation to put sacrifice over obedience and call this a good thing in your house.  Lord, I strive for true worship and faithful devotion so that I can know you better, love you more, and humbly sacrifice those things you require of me.  Continue your good work in me, Lord, and lead me.  Help me to be obedient also to those who have been put in charge over me, so that they may give a good account for the work they have been called.  Bless them for their faithfulness to you.  -Amen

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” -Philippians 2:3 (ESV)

I was having lunch recently with a group of ladies and found myself in a lively conversation with a friend across the table about bread.  I had just received a bread maker for my birthday, and was getting ready to share a really funny story about the first loaf I made, which ended up looking somewhat like fried chicken.  Clearly, it wasn’t what I was expecting, and I was having fun retelling my experience.  But there was someone sitting with us who is a bread expert and began sharing a litany of reasons why my bread turned out so terribly.  Of course, I knew it was probably this or that, and truthfully I have made great loaves since then.  I was simply sharing a funny story.

The woman continued talking about her experience as a bread maker, using her own grain, milling it, making bread often for her family, etc.  She definitely knew her stuff and received a lot of respect for her knowledge.  But what she didn’t know was that I’ve been there, and I’ve done that.  As a matter of fact, I believe I still have a 10-gallon bucket of Prairie Gold Wheat stored away in my basement somewhere.  When I had more time for such domestic pursuits, I enjoyed the labor of making bread from scratch.  And it’s not that I don’t agree that freshly milled wheat is healthier than anything store bought or otherwise, it’s that my story was washed under the table by a bread baking expert, and I was left feeling as if I just lost a battle of domestic one-upness with the resounding, unspoken opinion that one isn’t a serious bread baker unless she mills, kneads, forms, punches and bakes her dough by hand using the Bread Beckers’ no-fail 5-loaf recipe.  I assure you, competition is fierce in the kitchen!

But this is one example of many that I’ve noted these past few weeks.  I wonder why I’m just now beginning to see things from this lens?  I don’t read the KJV, therefore I’m not a real Christian.  I take my car to an automatic carwash, therefore I’m ruining the paint.  And occasionally I accidentally grab the dinner fork to eat my salad.  Sometimes I just like living dangerously.

Last year I have been told that I don’t breathe right, that I should let my hair go gray, and that I should not wear heels.  I’ve also been told that my camera is mediocre, that I work too hard and don’t weigh enough, that I should have more children, that my children are sheltered (really?), that I’m too old to run, and that I must turn off all electronic equipment as I board the plane.  Okay that last statement was a rule, not an observation or opinion, but what consistently amazes me are the people who feel brazen enough to express such opinion of what I need to do to be a better person, or at least a person who is good enough for them.

What’s really at the heart of this is that I not only am victim to such judgment and criticism, but I have also been the perpetrator.  How sad, when I look back, that I may have offended or belittled someone because they didn’t meet a standard of living that I should expect of them.  My own comments and observations are no better than those thrust upon me, and I find myself swimming right along with the sharks looking for the next person to give my “good advice” to and form into my image of who I think they should be.  Perhaps that’s why I’ve taken note of these things lately.  Perhaps it’s time to swallow the pill of bitter reflection and chase it down with humble pie.  It certainly doesn’t taste like cheesecake, but it’s good for the soul.

Yet I think we sit in a majority pool of judges. We go to bed with a great idea and wake up with an ego.  We spend weeks perfecting a subject and become experts overnight, elevating ourselves to places no man should ever tread.  We fall prey to sins of aesthetics, materialism, knowledge and ideals.  We judge.  We determine that the Holy Spirit has left the building and it’s up to us to right the world, when in reality, we have kicked the Holy Spirit from the throne and put ourselves in His place.

And who are we to judge?  Evidently, we forget.

There are a lot of theological responses and practical applications I could make here, but the verse which continues to resonate in my head as I form these words is from Philippians 2:3.  Paul warns that we should do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but consider others more important that ourselves.  This is exactly what Jesus is talking about when He challenges us in Matthew 22 to love our brother as ourselves.  But Paul goes further in Philippians to not only look out for our own well-being, but also the well-being of others.  If you define the word well-being, you will see that it means comfort, joy, abundance, and contentment.

Think about life on a pillar.  Judgmental man cannot possibly reach the ground and wouldn’t want to anyway.  He likes the pillar.  It took him a lot of training and hard work to get there.  He earned it.  Plus, you can’t beat the view, especially at the dawning of a new day or the resting of the sun on the horizon.  People are amazed he ever made it up there, so they look upon him in awe, and that’s the part he likes best: to be admired.  It doesn’t take long, however, for him to get a sense of loneliness.  And while he’d love to just climb down that pillar and join the rest of society, he can’t.  He’s an expert, you see.  He has made a name for himself.  So instead of reaching down to his brother, he begins making observations from his place on high.  And then, from his view, he believes that if everyone just lived life the way he does, then they would all be happy.  So he stands tall on that pillar, pulls out his bullhorn and begins making judgments, one after the other.  Some are funny, and people laugh.  But his judgments fiercely grow.  They are brash, bold, determined and presumptuous.  He forgets God because he has become his own god.  He is no good to the people and certainly no good to himself.  Sadly, he has forgotten the God who loves him so and left his first love, trading it for a very shallow love of himself.

Paul was warning the Philippians in chapter two not to become high and lofty, to leave their judgments of others behind.  He uged them to look out for others, providing them with encouragement so that they too could enjoy a life of cheer and abundance.  Oh, how we tear down the frailest of hearts when we wrongly judge or accuse others!  How we rob others of joy and peace of mind.  God forgive us!

Paul gives a few more final commands to be obedient for God’s will and good pleasure, and to do things without grumbling so that we will be made blameless and presented without guilt.  We are to hold fast to the word of life until the end of time, until the day of judgment, so that we will not be guilty of vain pursuits.  We are to shine! And this is the exact recipe for living a life of humility and allowing the Holy Spirit to do His good work not only in the lives of others, but especially in our own lives.

So this is a new year and a new day.  It marks an opportunity for humble reflection and genuine transformation.  Let’s all strive to make it a year of humility and simplicity as we look after the well-being of others, building them up and considering them better than ourselves.  Let’s make it our year to shine!

Word Study:

• says (to declare)
• exalted (to be lifted up, praised and elevated; extolled)
• lives (to reside; a permanent stay)
• forever (perpetuity; eternity; eternal existence)
• Holy (God’s name is holy, sacred and pure)
• dwell (to reside permanently)
• contrite (bruised; humbled; broken; discouraged)
• spirit (air for breathing; soul)
• revive (to live anew; to recover)
• contrite (the “to be” form of contrite (above). Indicates God as the causing agent)

Has anyone ever promised to do something for you or be with you always only to turn back on that promise? Broken promises are powerful. They can leave some people with so much hurt and regret that their entire lives remain suspended in that moment of grief. And suddenly that broken promise becomes the idol, the very thing which keeps someone from knowing God. They simply cannot recover and ultimately choose a life of misery. Very often these people blame God for their misery and they feel that if God really loved them He would not allow this thing to happen. Then God is put in a box of their own making. He is no longer God but a mere figment of something that doesn’t exist.

In this verse we see a solid promise, but before Isaiah delivers the promise of God, he establishes God’s credibility as the Promise-Giver. He calls God high and exalted: to be lifted up, praised and elevated above all. I think sometimes we allow ourselves to be shattered by broken promises because we have put people on a high and lofty place. We mistakenly put them in the place where only God can exist. And while Christ tells us to consider others better than ourselves, He clearly does not say that they should be pedestal dwellers. Only God has the authority and credibility to be in this high place.

Isaiah then reminds us that God will never leave us, that He exists eternally. People simply cannot make this kind of infinite promise. Either by separation or death, there is a point where we are either sinners, mortals, or imperfect. And while some promises are never meant to be broken, there are some which were never meant for mortal man to make. There is a feeling of stability in this promise from God, and something which we can wholly trust.

Finally, he establishes God’s character as the only one who is sacred and pure, giving us a sense of peace, a sense of knowing that God will stand behind his Word. How refreshing! This is the place where our souls are healed, where we will find peace in any circumstance. By this truth we are made whole and filled with both assurance and expectation.

Then God speaks. He tells Isaiah that He resides in His holy place forever and permanently. He will not be thwarted. This gives Him the authority and credibility to be our King who ultimately rules over all things. We realize by these very words that we are the lowly ones, we are contrite. We have no place in His kingdom outside His very mercy and grace.

Finally, God casts His gaze on the lowly and contrite. He sees the humble sinner, the bruised child. He sees us. But instead of turning away in judgment, he looks upon us with such sweet loving-kindness and compassion. Here, he unites the divided line of Kingship and Kingdom, of high and low, of heaven and earth. He looks upon His children and promises that He will never leave us. But not only will He never leave, He is also the Reviver of hearts! He stands ready to cherish and heal, to come close and lift up. We can choose to remain tormented by a myriad of broken promises by imperfect man, or we can choose to relinquish our pride, release people from their sins and wrongs against us through a forgiving spirit, and cling to God’s pure and holy promises which are never broken. The key is humility. The choice is ours.

O how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thy word is very pure. Therefore, thy servant loves it. -Psalm 119:97; 140

Word Study:

• love (desire; delight; to be fond of; covet)
• meditation (reflection; devotion; meditation; prayer)
• pure (to refine; purge away impurities; sincere)

We are to have an attitude of desiring and delighting God’s Word.  It is to be our devotion for reflection, meditation and prayer.  As we devote ourselves to these good things, we will be refined in character, and our impurities will be purged by the pureness of the Word.  If we don’t practice the habit of daily reading the word and meditating on God’s law, then we will not know Him, and we can be subject to temptation which can easily lead astray.  The Psalmist found that his appetite for the Lord grew stronger as He meditated on the word.  May we all read this verse and praise the King in the same way!

Sweet Lord, I do love to study your word and delight in the truths it reveals.  Your word refreshes my soul and gives me joy.  It reveals your nature and your love, and with it I am your creature.  Continue to work the Holy Spirit within me to beckon me to your word so that by it I may know you more intimately and love you more fully.  Continue to teach me to love others, and keep me at your service. -Amen

“Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things passed away; behold new things have come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)

Word Study:

• man (anyone)
• in (fixed position in place, time or state)
• Christ (Messiah)
• new (fresh)
• creature (a creation of God)
• old (having existed for a very long time)
• behold (see)
• things (all things in their totality but also each thing within that totality)
• become (to form; to be made)
• new (to renew and dedicate into a qualitatively new use)

When we finally choose to let go of the old there stands genuine repentance.  What choice!  And the old is replaced by a newness, a freshness which is regenerative in the mercy and grace of Christ.  What comfort!  In unpacking some of these words, I was intrigued by the word “in.”  Here we see a Greek translation which means fixed, and fixed in place, time and state, reminding us that when we are in Christ, we are permanently His.  What promise!  But our Salvation is not merely fixed in a physical form, it is fixed for a purpose, for God’s use and for His good purpose.

This verse shows us that it is not enough to merely believe, but to also practice the belief and live out our faith as one who stands ready for the work of the Lord.  There is no such thing as stagnation in the spiritual life.  If one is not moving forward with God, then he is subject to temptation and evil.  Revival begins with salvation, but it is also the daily living IN and FOR our Father.  It is regenerative and fresh, leading us as His dear children in the work of reconciliation of His people and restoration of the Kingdom until Heaven and earth meet.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me a life which is daily new and fresh in your mercy and grace. Thank you for this precious salvation.  Make me ready for your good work, Lord, in sharing your truth with others and encouraging the lost to know you as their Lord and Savior.  Help me to daily spend time with you, building on your love and truth so that I may not falter, so that I may be an encourager to the brethren, spurring them on to your good work.  Keep me free from evil temptation and fill my heart with joy when there are trails so that I may live humbly and be ready to serve you in all my days.  -Amen

“Revival is the sovereign work of God.  He chooses when and to whom He sends it.  It is also true, however, that there are things we can do to prepare for revival in our lives. Being prepared for what God has determined to do is a pattern we see throughout Scripture. For example, on the eve of their passage into the Promised land, Joshua charged the children of Israel, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you” (Joshua 3:5). In the same way, we can prepare our hearts for spiritual renewal.”

On week one, day five of the study, we find a list of 16 words or short phrases with supporting scripture, all related to personal revival, therefore, I am blogging each day’s work for the next 16 days.  I actually began this project in late November, but sometimes it takes me quite a while to digest these scriptures and unpack these words, and some days I simply don’t get to the study, but I have a commitment to complete it, and am excited to see the work of God in my life as I do.  Already I have been blessed by this, and decided to blog my journey so that you may be blessed as well.

So, I pray this work blesses, encourages and strengthens you in some way.  In any case, dear brethren, I welcome your comments, exhortations and correction.  I read recently that in all we know, we are typically 50% wrong.  The problem is, we don’t know which 50% of what we know is wrong.  So I’m counting on your insight and wisdom to lead me and help me to know the right from the wrong, not for the sheer knowing of it, but for the living by it.
And if together we can learn to live righteous and blameless, spurring revival in the hearts of one another, then the LORD Himself is to be glorified and praised.  That is my hope and prayer.

John Piper once said this in relation to knowing and living in truth:

“Discernment is not created in God’s people by brokenness, humility, reverence, and repentance. It is created by biblical truth and the application of truth by the power of the Holy Spirit to our hearts and minds. When that happens, then the brokenness, humility, reverence, and repentance will have the strong fiber of the full counsel of God in them. They will be profoundly Christian and not merely religious and emotional and psychological.”

May we all live as those who are discerning in the Word and humbled by Truth so that we may always be ready for wonders revealed today and those to come. -Amen

On my ride to the gym today I was thinking of these numerous deadlines, trying to sort out which ones can slide for a couple of days while I accomplish the more pressing ones. It’s a constant juggling act. And as I was just considering taking the next exit to ditch the workout and head home to my computer, a bug flew in my car window and landed on my steering wheel. It took him a moment to get his footing, and just as I was about to shew him back from where he came, he was off and running the full circumference of the wheel like a true athlete! I laughed out loud, and half expected him to tuker out and fly away. Amazed, I watched him take another full run around my steering wheel and then another! He didn’t waver, and he didn’t let the cruise control button distract him, he just ran his little heart out. He finished his little 5k at the top of the steering wheel, turned toward me and flexed his wings. I respectfully congratulated him. He slowly walked half distance around the steering wheel again and landed at the bottom, as if to say, “I’m staying here  until you get to the gym. We’ll ride this out together.”

I parked the car and quickly got a snapshot of him before he flew away. It’s my inspiration for the day. Don’t you love his athletic colors? There’s untold beauty in that kind of resiliency.