Humankind has been debating and defining this word love for as long as we have been in existence. Love is the topic of and the inspiration for our art, our literature, our music, our movies – everything revolves around man’s quest for love. From country western songs to Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals to rock & roll, it is all about love.

We long to find love, to experience love, to hold onto love. We dedicate our lives to pursuing love, understanding it, defining it, acquiring it, but not so much to giving it away – that would be too costly.

Just what is love, anyway? Is it that elusive entity that makes the world go round? Is it really true that love is all you need? Have I, or have you, dear reader, spent your life looking for love in all the wrong places? Can I even say for sure that I know what love is?

Recently, I have been seeing these words “love is love” on signs and posters and such. In fact, lately these words seem to be everywhere I look. I never noticed them before but now they are getting my attention. Still, I find those words confusing if not downright nonsensical. You see, in grade school English it was drilled into us when doing our vocabulary homework that you can’t use the word you are attempting to define in the definition of said word.

So if I don’t know what love is, telling me that love is love, doesn’t enlighten me or further my understanding of the word all that much. Fortunately, God’s word has a lot to say about love. In fact, there is a whole chapter in 1 Corinthians called the love chapter (that would be chapter 13) which describes love in the following words,

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

These words about love paint a picture of what love looks like by what love does and doesn’t do. These words describe love so well that I would be able to recognize love if I saw her in action and to recognize a love impostor by their actions as well. This would certainly come in handy in my quest for love, this ability to to tell the real thing from the impostors.

I will recognize love by its actions. Because at its core, love is a verb, not a noun. Love is an action more than a feeling. Love is both, but it is the actions of love which define her, release her power and give her life. Love’s actions reveal her true character and expose all pretenders. Actions are the way love is lived out in this world.

Love is defined in John 15:13 in this way,

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

Then we read in John 3:16,

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

So we see the definition of love includes the action of giving, even the giving up of one’s life. Love is an action. In Ephesians 5:25 we read,

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her . . .”

In Romans 13:10 I find love further defined in this way,

“Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

I love that explanation. (oops, that is the feeling I’m referring to in that statement) How often do I say I love this or that? I have to confess – pretty often and the list is long (ice cream, kittens, sunsets, campfires . . . ) but am I living out the actions of love or still just searching for the feeling that we have labeled love?

Love does no harm – oh if I could live that way. Never hurting anyone with my words or my deeds because love does no harm. That should easily weed out all the pretenders, who profess their love to those around them but with their actions tell a different story.

Love is the fulfillment of the law. And what is the law? The two greatest commandments we are told, are to love God above all else and to love others as yourself. In Matthew 22:36-39 I find this confirmed,

” ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

This kind of love requires action on my part. This loving God and loving my neighbor is hard work. It is more than a feeling expressed by an emoji. The kind of loving Jesus was talking about will be time consuming and costly. But to this we are called.

Jesus made clear this connection between love and action in John 14:21 & 23 when He said,

“Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. . . . If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching.”

My love for my Heavenly Father is lived out in my actions of obedience to His teachings, in my following where He leads and in my doing things His way, not mine. There is a story in Luke of a woman who showed her love for Jesus by her actions, though she was criticized greatly for what she did. This is how it happened.

While Jesus was having dinner at the house of a prominent religious leader, a woman of questionable character entered and began washing Jesus’s feet. His high class host took issue with the woman’s actions and Jesus’s response is worth noting –

“Then He (Jesus) turned toward the woman and said to Simon, (the one who thought he was the one who loved Jesus because he was religious) ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give Me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing My feet. You did not put oil on My head, but she has poured perfume on My feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.’ ” (Luke 7:44-47)

Did you catch that? This woman loved much according to Jesus. It wasn’t a feeling, it was all action. She cried, she wiped, she kissed, she poured perfume on Jesus feet, something that cost her dearly as perfume was very expensive but she spared no expense – by her actions she loved much.

What is love? Is it more than the fleeting feelings of a romantic fairytale? Could love be an act of kindness in the face of cruelty? Could it be the parent who doesn’t give up on a child, no matter what? Could it be gentle words in response to harsh ones? Could it be sticking with a friend through tough times? Could it be loving the unlovable? That’s what God does, you know. Yes, He loved us while we were still sinners. God loves us even when we are unlovable. What is love?

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:10-11)

what is love? love is a myriad of actions chosen and taken every moment of every day that can add up to a lifetime of love – love is all those things in 1 Corinthians – patient, kind, long suffering, trusting, hopeful, persevering, faithful . . .

love is self-giving, compassionate and courageous – love really is a many splendored thing . . .

love was never more visible than that day on Calvary when love hung on a cross, dying for a world that would otherwise die, love – the ultimate sacrifice, love – the gift of God.

what is love? “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:16)

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

sincerely, Grace Day

The sun came up today, bringing with it hope, possibility and promise. It is a new day. A new beginning. A fresh start. A clean slate. These are things I don’t deserve, but as the sun rises every morning, God gives me these good gifts new each day. Never underestimate the power and the value of a new beginning. Unsought, unasked, undeserved – nevertheless these gifts are mine when I wake. They are part of God’s provision for me of manna and of mercy, new every morning. Everything I need to face another day with courage, compassion and conviction, God supplies out of His infinite resources.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we (I) are (am) not consumed, for His compassions (mercies) never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Lord, please bring Your assurance into my uncertainty. Bring Your clarity into my clouded vision. I desire Your order to replace my chaos, Your calm in the middle of my storm. Lord, I ask for Your comfort in my pain, Your healing of my hurts, Your abiding Presence when I am all alone.

Lord, this world needs Your peace to permeate our conflict, Your unity to overcome our division and Your truth to dispel all deceptions that lead us away from You and keep us captive. Lord, let Your love overcome our hate, Your goodness win out over our evil. Let Your faithfulness overcome our propensity to doubt You.

Heavenly Father, today, help me to do what Your words in Romans 12:9-13 instruct me to do. May I love sincerely, hate what is evil; cling to what is good. May I be devoted to others, honoring others above myself. Enable me to persevere in doing what pleases You. Make me joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer, always generous and hospitable.

Let these words be my guide in everything.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

Lord, Your abiding Presence with me is peace, is comfort, is hope, is joy, is life itself.

Isaiah said the train of Your robe filled the temple. Indeed, Your Presence fills all the earth.

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.” (Isaiah 6:3)

You, Lord, fill everything in every way. (Ephesians 1:23)

Fill the earth with Your glorious Presence, fill my heart, fill every heart to overflowing with Your mercy and Your goodness. May Your lovingkindness fall over all You have made.

“The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.” (Psalm 145:9)

Your Presence, Lord, makes all the difference to me.

“Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” (Psalm 84:10)

Your Presence, Lord, is that precious. It is life, it is abundant life, it is eternal life.

sincerely, Grace Day

Today, on my solitary morning walk, I was accompanied by two most unlikely companions. Silent though they were, I found them to be quite congenial. Indeed, I welcomed the comfort of their presence keeping me company in the stillness of the early morning. And so we journeyed together, my companions and I, the rising sun on my one hand and the fading moon on my other.

They were sharing the sky, while keeping their distance from one another. But let’s face it, it is a big sky. A sky certainly big enough to accommodate them both, and so it did. I did not ask the moon why she lingered long past her bedtime, loathe to leave the now daytime sky. She must have had good reason, this morning moon, to hang around and hoover over me as I walked and talked to no one in particular – yet I gave the nod of notice to each rabbit, bird, duck, goose and yes even squirrel that shared their morning space with me.

I wondered that my one companion was not wanted in someone else’s sky – was she not expected as darkness fell somewhere in this world? this lesser light, to illuminate a sky all her own, no need to share her mysterious magic with the one whose presence dims her luster, forcing her to fade from view – when she could have the sky all to herself, save for a thousand million twinkling lights as backdrop for her luminous presence, reigning over the night.

But this morning, I welcomed her company, intrusion though the sun must think it to be – not only because she is forced to share her sky, but it is usually just the two of us on these morning walks and the moon never has to share me in the evening.

I confess – my attention was definitely divided today. I watched the sun grow brighter as she rose with slow splendor, while simultaneously I beheld the sinking moon, fading, yet with a transformed translucence that held my gaze upon her morning beauty – afraid to look away lest she would have disappeared from my sight while I looked upon lesser things.

However, there were no lesser things to look upon on this fall morning. Every tree was full of a color all its own, each more glorious than its neighbor, together an array of colors defying description. I let the colors fill my eyes, sink into my heart, then settle in my soul. I will need them, these living, indescribable colors. They will be my hedge against the gray of winter, when I shall recall to mind this particular morning when the three of us, the sun, the moon and I – gathered colors, in quiet camaraderie, shared the still beauty of the morning, and stored up all its pleasures as treasures to be closely guarded.

Today, I gathered pictures in mind’s eye of trees’ reflection on still water, of reeds and swimming ducks and geese in flight between sun and moon, in perfect form against blue sky. Yes, my unlikely companions and I had a most spectacular time together, sharing our morning’s journey. For we were each on our own path, when our paths per chance converged – merging for moments fair though fleeting – for the sun had much to do before her pre-appointed time to leave the sky should arrive and so did I, come to think of it. And the moon? Well, she was already late for her next appearance.

I can only guess at the impatience of a starry host somewhere over a vast ocean eagerly waiting her arrival into their midst, completing the lighting of the night sky. And so our paths, so happily but briefly merged, now digressed as the sun, the moon and I said our goodbyes, continued on our separate ways, carrying the joy of the journey shared between us on into our coming day.

thank You, Lord, for unlikely companions to keep me company on my journey . . .

“And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.’ And it was so. God made two great lights – the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. . . . God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, . . . And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:14-18)

sincerely, Grace Day

The question posited by Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg one-hundred fifty-seven years ago may well be one that we find ourselves asking again today. Can our nation “so conceived and so dedicated long endure?” How was she conceived? and how dedicated? Lincoln’s address to those assembled on that day, November 19th, 1863 answers that question this way.

He explained that our new nation was “conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” The great experiment. At that time the United States was a mere eighty-seven years old and failing to live up to her promise of equality for all. But many were willing to lay down their lives to ensure that this nation did extend that promise of liberty and equality to each and every person.

And lay down their lives they did. The Gettysburg Address was delivered at the dedication of a plot of land that was to become Soldier’s National Cemetery. That’s why Lincoln and the others had gathered at Gettysburg on that November day. They had come to honor and to bury those who had already given their lives so that others might live – but not just live, live free. Freedom is not cheap. It comes at a cost. And the cost was already high.

Some are willing to pay the price. Men such as Patrick Henry who famously said, “Give me liberty or give me death.” To some life is not worth living if they are not free to choose how they will live.

I was reminded of this just this morning in church. Two people spoke to us this morning, a man from Jordan and a woman from the DRC. (Democratic Republic of the Congo) Both had experienced persecution for practicing their faith, which put their lives in danger. They had fled to the U.S. several years ago and are now both citizens of our country.

Today, they shared their stories with us. They told us that we can’t truly appreciate how rare and wonderful this country is, because we have never known anything different. We have not experienced what those around the globe experience on a daily basis. I confess – I too often take for granted all the freedoms I enjoy, including the freedom to worship God openly. I have these freedoms because others purchased and secured them for me at a price. The price? Their lives.

To the rest of the world the United States is a symbol of hope, a beacon of light, a last bastion of freedom. Must be why so many risk so much to come here. Like the two individuals who came to my church this morning, they are seeking their God given, unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which their own countries have denied them.

And so the question of Gettysburg remains with us today, how long can this nation endure? There are those who would tear her down and see her burn. Democracy does not work well, when dead peoples’ voices are heard while the voices of the living are disregarded, silenced or remain silent. Democracy dies when we choose comfort over conscience, complacence over courage and silence over speaking out.

May the light of freedom not be extinguished on our watch. The world is watching.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)

“For God is the King of all the earth; sing to Him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne. The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.” (Psalm 47:7-9)

sincerely, Grace Day

I looked at what I had just typed (or what I thought I had just typed) but instead saw before me pure gibberish, unrecognizable letters and symbols strung together, making absolutely no sense. What I saw on the computer screen before me was definitely not what I had just finished typing! Well, it was not what I had intended to type and by extension not what I had intended to say.

Then I looked down at my keyboard, more to the point, I looked at my fingers on said keyboard and what had happened immediately became clear to me. It was the placement of my fingers on the keyboard that was the culprit. Nothing major, just one key off sideways in either direction or one row off up or down and nothing will come out right. And nothing had come out right. The proof of that was on my computer screen!

You cannot start from a wrong position and expect things to turn out right. Yet that was exactly what I had done. My fingers were positioned one key off from the correct starting position. My fingers had executed their motions correctly, but from a wrong starting position. I had done everything right except to check to make sure I started with my fingers on the correct keys.

If I start from a wrong position I will end up at a wrong place. If I began with a false premise I will arrive at a false conclusion. What starts with a lie cannot end in the truth. It is an impossibility. Truth is the foundation upon which freedom is formed. This is the lesson my keyboard taught me today.

I am told we are living in a “post-truth” era. Facts don’t matter, it is feelings that are given precedence and followed. I don’t know about you, dear readers, but I freely confess – on any given day my feelings run the gamut, they are all over the place. So my truth is an ever changing entity. This does not inspire much confidence in me as I attempt to ascertain what is true.

God’s word is truth, eternal truth. I read in Psalm 119:160 these words,

“All Your words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal.”

and in John 17:17 Jesus’s prayer for His disciples was,

“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”

We are also told in Matthew 24:35,

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.”

The words of Isaiah 40:8 proclaim the same truth about God’s word saying,

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

So there is truth – the enduring, unchanging truth found in God’s holy, living word. I read in John 16:13,

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you (me) into all truth.”

This is what I long for – truth. I don’t want to build my life on a lie. Actually, there is something else I desire greatly and that is freedom. These words of Jesus often come to mind as I ponder the relationship between truth and freedom,

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

That is what I want – to know the truth and to be free. There is an important truth in God’s word that is incorporated into our Declaration of Independence. It is this,

“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights . . . ”

We are all equal because we are all created by God in His image, deriving our intrinsic value from our Creator.

“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

So it is the premise contained in our own Declaration of Independence that holds the promise for each and every one of us as citizens. The promise is contained in the premise that all men (people) being equal is a self-evident truth.

This promise procures for each of us access to the protections of our constitution. This is a promise of endless possibilities and opportunities for us as free individuals to pursue prosperity for ourselves and for our children in peace and tranquility.

Why has America been a symbol of freedom, promise and opportunity to the rest of the world throughout her brief history? Could it be because she was founded on a truthful premise, straight from God’s word? (that being that all people are created by God and therefore are equally valuable and have equal rights given them by their Creator) This is a truth that government should not interfere with but instead exist to protect.

Our founding fathers started with truth, with a true premise. So there is hope that in the working out of and in the living up to that truth, America can attain to good ends. America was not founded on a false premise, but on truth. Truth is a sure foundation for freedom to flourish. But in truth’s absence freedom will die.

America started with her hands correctly placed on the keyboard, acknowledging God as our Creator and as the giver of our human rights. (remember God’s word is truth, eternal truth – the only truth in an ever changing world)

Now, even though America’s hands were correctly placed on the keyboard, the movements of her fingers (unlike mine) have not always been flawless and mistakes have been made. But her starting place is truth so arriving at a destination of liberty and justice for all is possible. But if you start with a lie, you will never arrive at the truth. And without truth, you will never be free.

Today I am wondering if America will live up to her founding documents (the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution) or if she will make a deal with the devil so to speak. Historically, it happens often. As Paul said in Romans 1:25,

“The exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen.”

America became a bastion of freedom for the oppressed precisely because she was founded on the truth of God, not government, giving us our rights. Governments are to protect and defend those rights of the individual, not restrict nor usurp them. But if we began to believe the lie that it is government who determines who and what has value, rather than God’s word, we will go down a very different path. Remember, if you start with a lie, you will never arrive at the truth. A lie cannot lead to truth.

Today many may be praying that we remain the land of the free and the home of the brave. I guess that will depend in part on how brave the brave actually are right about now to speak out and not remain silent. The world is watching, waiting, hoping that freedom’s light is not extinguished in a final flurry of fire. rather let it rain . . .

“You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the Lord, have created it.” (Isaiah 45:8)

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” ( 2 Corinthians 3:17)

sincerely, Grace Day

It is a big city and an even bigger world we live in – and I confess – we are just a small group, grown even smaller in number with the passing of the days it seems. And yet there we were, standing in the gap once again – a gap growing wider even as we grow smaller – and yet . . .

we were each in obedience, being where we were called to be on this quiet Saturday morning like any other – and yet not. Our instructions?

“I urge, then, first of all , that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

If we want peace, we are told to pray for those in authority over us. And so we came together in obedience to petition God for peace in our time, for peace in our country, for peace in our city – for God’s peace to prevail in our city streets, providing protection and paths for reconciliation and restoration of damages done.

The peace God gives is a powerful peace that passes our human understanding. We simply cannot comprehend it fully, but we do experience it. At least that’s what it says in Philippians 4:6-7,

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

So God’s peace will protect my heart and my mind when I bring all my worries, anxieties, fears, needs and requests to Him. This is great news and a welcome comfort during this volatile time in history. The Living Bible translates it this way,

“His (God’s) peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”

Most of us are in pursuit of personal peace these days, even as civil unrest and increased crime seem to surround and overwhelm us. We desire both personal and public peace. Both seem elusive and impossibly out of reach. Yet Jesus is the Prince of Peace of whom it says in Isaiah 9:7,

“Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.”

His reign is further described in these terms,

“but with righteousness He will judge the needy, with justice He will give decisions for the poor of the earth. . . . The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. . . . They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:4 & 6-9)

This is indeed a whole new world! No strife, no destruction, no harm to the vulnerable and the weak. Why? Knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth! His Presence brings peace and protection and prosperity to humankind. He is a God of order and unity, therefore His mere Presence dispels the chaos and division that our misguided human striving has invited into our personal and public lives.

And so we petitioned not a human judge but our Heavenly Father, for the peace we so desire in the life of our country and in our own lives as well. He is faithful. We are told in James 5:16,

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

We stood in the gap, inviting, beseeching, begging for God’s intervention into our tumultuous circumstances – desiring that His Presence which is filling the earth from every sunrise to every sunset, be made manifest in a mighty way.  

Petitions for peace will continue, dear readers. The prayer of Colossians 3:15,

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”

That’s where peace starts, in individual hearts. It has to take root there before it can spread to the heart of a nation. And our nation desperately needs a new and peacefilled heart.

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

sincerely, Grace Day

In 1955 Albert Camus ( a French philosopher and winner of the Nobel Prize in literature in 1957) wrote the following words,

“The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants, and it provides the further advantage of giving the servants of tyranny a good conscience.”

I wonder what Albert Camus would think, were he alive today to witness the reality of his words being played out around the world but most spectacularly right here in the United States. COVID-19 has indeed provided and proved to be the perfect alibi for a small number of people to seize power over a previously free, self governing nation of people.

In COVID world there are no voices of dissent tolerated. If you disagree with any edicts dictating public behavior, openings/closings, comings and goings, who is essential and who is not, who may congregate and who may not, (still a mystery why some are allowed to gather and others are threatened with legal action if they dare to gather- isn’t the virus equally deadly no matter what the reason for the gathering of people together?) you are shamed into silence and accused of wishing harm to anyone and everyone.

After all, it is those in power, the tyrants, who have our best interests at heart. They know so much more than we could ever hope to know and so must protect us from ourselves and our own bad choices. We have to trust them, right? We dare not trust ourselves, the tyrants have made that clear.

And so we are at the mercy of the tyrants. The problem is, tyrants by definition are not merciful. They are anything but. They have no interest in justice, equality or freedom either. How ironic that they parade under the banner of these ideals even as everything they do works to extinguish our freedoms, the very freedoms which provide us the opportunity to continue pursuing justice and equality for all.

Who loves this country enough to speak out on her behalf? Why all the silence, which gives its unspoken consent and defense to all things previously indefensible? That rhetoric is not popular at the moment. Or is it the mandatory mask mandate that has muzzled us into an uneasy silence – masks being a constant reminder that there is personal danger from both disease and dissent? The question is, which will ultimately prove to be the more deadly?

In 1770 Edmund Burke wrote these telling words in a letter to Thomas Mercer. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” (or to remain silent)

Another voice from the past, Otto Gritschneder, left us words of warning as well stating, “He who falls asleep in a democracy will wake up in a dictatorship.”

Are we silent because we are sleeping, comfortable for the moment, unwilling to be disturbed or are we silent out of fear, unwilling to risk our current comforts to defend our constitution and the freedoms and protections it provides for us all?

It seems there are few who will come to the defense of this country, this country that has provided them shelter, protection and opportunity to pursue their dreams. Even the opportunity to protest is protected under our first amendment.

How ironic that those who riot in our streets are protesting and burning down the very country which protects their right to do so and protects their freedom to have any opinion they choose. Do they know what happens to people in China who dissent? When you have abolished our Constitution, who will protect you then? (certainly not the now defunct police whom you denigrated and then defunded) Yes, they were there to protect you, too. Well, unless you were committing crimes, that is. Then they were there to protect us from you.

There is this hopeful sign though. In my state, the early voting lines have been long and continue to be long day after day. People are standing in line for hours to cast their vote in person. And with 4-7 hour wait times at some locations, this is quite a sacrifice of their time, yet still the lines continue to be long and they continue to be peaceful.

When our streets are overrun with rioters assaulting police, burning, looting, vandalizing, tearing down and terrorizing – we feel helpless. We may be tempted to think that these rioters speak for everyone, that everyone hates our country and wants to destroy her. Our voices are not heard. In fact, they are even silenced. After all, Patriotism is a punishable offense.

Just look at what happened to Drew Brees. You are not allowed to say you love your country. How many apologies did he issue for simply saying something positive and sharing his feelings publicly? (at least five and counting) I thought free speech was still guaranteed by our constitution?

But these long voting lines tell a different story. One the media won’t tell, but a story nonetheless. No one is paying these voters to stand in line, unlike the professional, paid protesters showing up in every city with bags of bats, bricks and bombs (we saw a u-haul pull up at one site to deliver the mob their ammunition for another night of terror and destruction)

The individuals waiting in voting lines at the polls are quiet and peaceful. They are counting on their voice being heard at the ballot box where their vote will be counted. They are not tearing anything down, they are not attacking anyone physically or verbally but they are participating in the process that lets them choose those who end up in office.

The unprecedented numbers of people in these long lines reveal to us this untold story. There is a silent majority in our country who want peace and prosperity for everyone. (I confess – I am and have been a part of that silent majority, maybe for far too long) And for the past few weeks here in my state, they have been silently standing up and standing in long lines for the privilege of casting their vote. They are letting their voices be heard, not by burning something down, but by participating in the democratic process. And they are willing to pay the price of a long wait, in questionable weather, on their feet – it must be important to each person there or they would simply leave.

These are not the people who have filled our streets with hate speech and violence. These are people willing to sacrifice their time and comfort for something more important. Freedom comes at a cost. In our lifetime the cost hasn’t been very high, as it was paid by those who came before us, those who gave their lives to secure and protect our current freedoms.

It is a very vocal minority that has taken over our streets purporting to speak for all of us, when in reality they speak only for themselves and no one else. They do not speak for me.

I do not think reacting to an act of injustice with multiple acts of multiplied injustices over long periods of time benefits anyone. No one’s life is made better by hate, destruction, violence, vengeance, fear, intimidation, and a mob mentality rule. No one. The answer to injustice is not more injustice. We all suffer as our communities are torn down and terrorized by – by whom?

These people should not be able to hide behind anonymity. Of course that’s why they come out when the sun goes down. Those who do dark deeds love the cover of darkness. “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)

Voices from the past continue to speak into our lives today, if we listen to them and learn from them. Gandhi’s words are still with us and they were many. This observation of his is particularly pertinent,

“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary, the evil it does is permanent.” Likewise Gandhi stated,

“Permanent good can never be the outcome of untruth and violence.” Gandhi’s message was this,

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” Maybe meaning positive change doesn’t come through violence? How does it come? These words of Gandhi answer that question,

“The spirit of democracy is not a mechanical thing to be adjusted by abolition of forms. It requires change of heart.”

Human hearts are hard to change, especially when they are hardened hearts. Fortunately, we don’t need to rely on a voice from the past to guide us in how to change our hearts. We have an ever present voice in the person of God’s Holy Spirit speaking God’s wisdom and truth into our hearts and minds and lives all day long. But we have to stop and we have to listen.

Jesus told His disciples concerning the Holy Spirit, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. . . . But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 14:26 & John 16:13)

And truth is necessary for freedom. Jesus said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. . . . So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:32 & 36)

Paul said in Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

When the truth is known, freedom will follow. It is lies and deceits that keep us captive. (that’s why a free press was so important to our founding fathers) When speech is not free, the people are not free. When we cannot worship freely (or choose not to) we are no longer free.

Today voices from our past mingle with the voices of our present. Yet above them all is the still, small, steady voice of God’s Holy Spirit calling us to Him who can change our hearts and make us holy. Gandhi was onto something when he said the heart must change first, then world change will follow in its wake.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) “Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires.” (Living Bible translation)

sincerely, Grace Day

I confess – a childhood song is singing to me in memory’s ear, faintly but still clear enough to call to mind long forgotten bits and pieces of my past. Turns out they were neither forgotten nor lost, just dormant – waiting for a reawakening. And today was the day. The day for forgotten melodies to play again in my head, though they had been stored up in my heart all these years.

The song? a pre-school song of sorts. “Oh be careful little eyes what you see, oh be careful little eyes what you see, for the Father up above is looking down with love, oh be careful little eyes what you see.” It even had motions to go with the words, if I remember rightly.

I have been thinking about vision, more specifically, focus, perspective, viewpoint – they all have to do with how we see the world around us and the people in it. Worldview, some call it. Does where you look determine what you see? (I guess that seems kind of obvious now that I’ve said it)

So then, changing where I look will change what I see, which will change my perspective? Maybe that’s why Hebrews 12:2 tells me to,

“fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith.” Why? Because where I look matters. On what or on whom I fix my gaze determines the direction of my steps which ultimately determines the destination of my soul. It all starts with a look.

Maybe that’s why God told Abraham (back when he was still Abram) to look up. You see, Abram was having his doubts and his conversation with God went something like this (well, exactly like this)

“Then the word of the Lord came to him: (Abram) ‘This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.’ He (God) took him (Abram) outside and said, ‘Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them.’ The He (God) said to him (Abram), ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Abram believed the Lord, and He (the Lord) credited it to him (Abram) as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:4-6)

God asked Abram to look up. God invited Abram to gaze upon the expanse of the star-studded night sky and catch just a glimpse of who He is as Creator/Sustainer of the entire universe. God knew Abram needed to look up not down, outward not inward. Abram needed to look outward to something or someone greater than himself, rather than continuing to look inward to himself for the answers that he sought.

This shift in Abram’s focus determined the steps of his journey which led him to fulfill his destiny, becoming Abraham along the way. This would not be the only time looking up would be an important part of Abraham’s story. Remember when he took his son, Isaac, up the mountain to sacrifice him as God had instructed him to do? (it was a test of Abraham’s trust and obedience)

Here’s how that story ended. “Then he (Abraham) reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham! . . . 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..’ ”

It is at this point in the story that Abraham shifts his focus from looking down at his son to – to what? well, see for yourself,

“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.” (Genesis 22:10-13)

Abraham looked up, he shifted his gaze which changed his focus. He saw something he had not seen before – the ram caught in the thicket. He looked up and he saw God’s provision, he looked up and he saw God’s answer. Abraham saw God’s answer to the question Isaac had asked of him just hours earlier, as they journeyed together up the mountain. This was how their conversation went . . .

” ‘The fire and wood are here,’ Isaac said, ‘but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’ Abraham answered, ‘God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together.” (Genesis 22:7-8)

And indeed, when Abraham looked up he was able to see God’s provision there before his very eyes. This reminds me of a verse I have always loved, Psalm 3:3, which says –

“But You are a shield around me, O Lord; You bestow glory on me and lift up my head.” Some translations say “You are the lifter of my head.”

There are times when I am too weary or too discouraged to lift up my own head. I am downcast and I feel downtrodden. But these words remind me that when I am too weak, too defeated or too despairing to lift up my own head, it is my Heavenly Father who lifts it for me, as a tender parent might do for an inconsolable child, in order to wipe away their tears.

He does this for a reason, this lifting of my head. He does this to shift my vision, my gaze upward and outward, to shift my gaze onto Him. Psalm 121:1-2 says it so beautifully with these words,

“I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

When my head is lifted up, my line of vision will be lifted up along with it. I will be able to gaze upward and outward to hills, mountains, sunsets, sunrises, starry skies, lovely lakes, soaring birds – all proclaiming the glory of God.

Where I fix my eyes matters. Hebrews 12:2 has already told me to “fix my eyes on Jesus” and there is another similar suggestion in 2 Corinthians 4:18 telling me to –

“fix my eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

There’s that word “fix” again. To gaze at steadfastly, no turning away – that sports metaphor of “don’t take your eye off the ball” or “keep your eye on the prize.” Because where I am looking matters. Just look at Lot’s wife, if that isn’t a cautionary tale?

Remember, she and her family were running for their lives to escape the coming destruction of their city. However, as it turns out, “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:26)

I guess where we look matters. Look what it says in Colossians 3:2 to us,

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

There’s that “setting” or “fixing” again. This time with the mind and my mind will follow where I set my sights or rest my eyes. So I guess I would do well to fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith.

All of creation, in fact, is looking to its Creator. Why should I do any different?

“The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.”

I started with a song in my head and now I’m ending with a different tune playing quietly in memories’ ears, it’s been keeping me company as I’ve written these words today, dear readers, so I will share this song with you in closing . . .

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace”

lift your head and look at Him . . .

sincerely, Grace Day

Yes, it is true I struck out yesterday in my intended endeavor. But I made some new friends and spent some time outdoors on a beautiful fall afternoon so it wasn’t a total waste of time. But I did not succeed in my original goal of casting my vote in the 2020 election. I confess – with about two hours already invested but a projected possible three to four hours (or more) stretching ahead of me in a long, winding line of humanity, and with the sun going down along with the temperature – I bailed. I admitted defeat – temporarily, vowing to try again another day.

And so I shall. You see, I discovered something yesterday. I think waiting in line to vote could just be the new tailgating! ok, so it’s tailgating except with strangers and no sporting event and no food grilling. Still, there hasn’t been much football this fall and even with the limited college and NFL games there is no tailgating allowed. Enter long election lines to fill the void!

And actually, shortly before I bailed, a large food truck did pull into the parking lot where we were all waiting in line, a captive crowd of hungry potential customers, adding to the tailgate-like atmosphere. (all that was missing was the marching band and an actual football game) It wasn’t enough to convince me to stay however, although the smells coming from that direction were really good.

At some point, we attempted to conduct our own exit poll of sorts, if we could flag people down. However, our question was not “who did you vote for?” it was the much more relevant and pressing question of “how long have you been here?” We wanted to get an idea of how much longer was the wait that awaited us. The news was not encouraging.

And yet people stayed. And I discovered an important truth. If you have to be in a long line for a long time, you are indeed fortunate if you find yourself in line with an optimist. I did. It was my good fortune to find myself next to Mona, my new friend, the optimist. She would have made the remaining hours more than barely bearable, had I chosen to stay. She was great company!

You know, dear readers, for a fast paced, fast food, drive through, no waiting kind of a culture that we are, what I saw yesterday defied all the odds. Hundreds of people, waiting long, giving up their Saturday for the opportunity, the privilege of casting their vote in person. No grumbling, no complaining, just a peaceful passing of the time in a long and winding line, which wove its way back and forth, back and forth across and around a parking lot before it ever came close to the building.

There was a kind of a quiet camaraderie which developed among us all, we, these total strangers thrown together for this brief time (which turned out to be not so brief) But we all shared a common goal. We wanted to cast our vote, to participate in our democracy. We wanted our voice to be heard and we wanted our concerns to be counted. And so we stayed. (well, they stayed)

That parking lot was a picture of the America I know and love. We were all kinds of people by any measure of description – gender, age, occupation, educational background, skin color, religious affiliation, political persuasions and on and on. But all of us shared a common purpose yesterday because we all share something in common – we share this country, our country – this country we all call home. We all value our freedom of life, liberty and our pursuit of happiness. We all want to live in peace and safety.

And so we were all partakers in a common purpose yesterday, that purpose of participating in our own governance. No one that I saw was wearing anything that would give away their voting preference. And that was not a topic of discussion within my earshot anyway. We were just thankful to be free to cast our vote. The fact that so many were willing to wait for so long told the story. We, as Americans, still value our country and the freedoms she continues to provide us.

Standing in line for the two hours that I did, left me filled with hope for our country. Not everybody hates her. Not everybody hates each other. I guess the media was wrong. Maybe a small, vocal minority does not speak for the rest of us? They certainly do not speak for me. I do not hate my fellow Americans, no matter what their skin color nor what their beliefs. That is what freedom is. Freedom to choose one’s way in life, freedom to practice faith or not, freedom from fear of mob rule and oppression.

Maybe America is still the land of opportunity for those willing to accept the challenge she offers of self determination? Let us hope so. And let us do something else, too. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 tells us this,

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

So I have the privilege of praying for my leaders even if they are not the ones I voted for. Kind of like the “pray for your enemies” command found in scripture. But I can rest secure in this knowledge after I have done my duty to vote – it is what Romans 13:1 tells me,

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

Furthermore Daniel 2:21 reveals this,

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them.”

” . . . so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone He wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.” (Daniel 4:17)

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12)

here’s hoping your voting experience is as uplifting as mine, only with a better outcome in that you actually stay the course and cast your vote! meanwhile, I am still at bat – I will most definitely swing at the next opportunity . . .

sincerely, Grace Day

Who is He? We all ask that question at some time or another in our lives – or most of us do, if we are even remotely curious. The disciples of Jesus asked this question among themselves after experiencing a particularly dramatic incident. This harrowing event started out as an unremarkable boat ride undertaken by Jesus and His disciples. But “Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.”

Now Jesus was sleeping but the disciples, fearing they were all going to drown, woke Him saying, “Lord, save us!” So Jesus “rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The disciples just sat there, awed! ‘Who is this,’ they asked themselves, ‘that even the winds and the sea obey Him?’ ” (Matthew 8:23-27)

Who is He? Who is this God in three persons, my Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit? Just as the disciples asked this question so many years ago, people continue to ask today, who is He? who is God? Infinite in being, there are infinite answers to this age old question. I confess – I could not presume to fully answer such a question, but perhaps the question “who is He to me?” yields a personal if not complete answer.

God is the lifter of my head, the Savior of my soul, the forgiver and forgetter of all my sins. He is the light in my darkness. He is the numberer of the hairs on my head as well as the numberer of my days. He is the counter of the stars, the caller of sinners to repentance and the collector of all my tears. He is the Good Shepherd. He is my Good Shepherd. He is my protector and my provider. He is the maker of my manna and the bestower of mercies new every morning.

He is the One who knows my words before I speak them. He is the One who sees me when no one else does and listens to me when I pray. He knows the way that I take. He is the One who pulls me from the pit and sets my feet on solid ground. He is the One who made clothes for Adam and Eve and He is the One who clothes me now with His righteousness. He is the payer of my price, the One who bought me with His own blood. He is the One who trains my feet for the high places and enables me to soar on wings like eagles.

He is the preparer of a place for me and the sealer of my salvation. He is the healer of all my infirmities. He is the bearer of my burdens and the straightener of my paths. He is the mover of my mountains. He is the Maker of my heart, the changer of my heart, the cleanser of my heart, the remover of my stony heart and the One who replaces it with a heart of flesh.

He is the One who counsels me with His wisdom and consoles me with His lovingkindness. He teaches me His ways and writes His laws on my heart. He convicts me of sin and disciplines me as His beloved child. He is the One who strengthens me when I am weak, who is my hope when I despair, who reminds me not to be afraid because He is with me.

He is the Creator of life, the Giver of life, the Sustainer of life, the Bread of life, the One who gave His own life that I might live. He is the author and perfecter of my faith. He is my shade, my shield, my strong tower of protection. He is my constant companion who sticks closer than a brother.

He is the One who has my name engraved on the palms of His hands, the One who covers me with His feathers and the One who rejoices over me with singing. He is the One who leads me beside still waters and into green pastures. He is the One who feeds me even when my enemies surround me.

He is the One who hems me in, behind and before. He is the One who knit me together in my mother’s womb, the One who orders my steps, directs my paths and numbers my days. He is the One who never leaves me nor forsakes me, even when others do.

He is my anchor in uncertain times, He is my advocate in heaven. He pleads my case and prepares my way. He is my rock, He is my firm foundation that stands the test of time and trouble. He is my shelter in the storm, my comfort in pain and sorrow. He is my everpresent friend in the furnace, the Living Water in my desert, the Provider of the lamb for my necessary sacrifice.

He is the One who rescues me from danger, redeems my life for His own, restores me and renews me daily. He is the Vine that sustains my life and supplies all my needs. In His presence are peace, hope, joy, comfort, eternal pleasures indescribable in nature. He is the Creator of the universe and He is my Abba Father. He dwells in unapproachable light and also with me, the contrite and lowly. I say along with the Psalmist,

“Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.” (Psalm 73:25)

Who is God to me? Colossians 1:16-17 sums it up with these words,

“For by Him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

Who is God to me? Acts 17:28 says it best,

“For in Him we (I) live and move and have our (my) being.”

God is all these things and infinitely more. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. He is the One “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)

sincerely, Grace Day