How will you get your stamp of God’s approval — your Christian merit badge? Tithing, volunteering and good behavior aren’t enough. Showing unconditional love is the risk we must take to be the church in the world.

Even a beautiful plant can be a noxious, invasive weed. When we see them, we want to pull them up. But Jesus taught a confusing parable saying to leave the weeds mixed in with the wheat in the field. Why would anyone do that?

We all need God’s grace. When we loosen our grip on self-confidence, self-importance and self-righteousness our hands are open to reach humbly toward God.

God is in the business of making all things new. Even when life is in ruins, you can trust His promise that beauty will come from the ashes.

You don’t have to hide in the rocks like Moses did to see God. In fact, you don’t have to look for God because He’s not far away. God is always near.

Jesus always shows up and reveals what God has been doing when nobody was watching. There are those who are out there bringing hope and healing with confidence that our God is working. They have not despaired even when they cannot see. 

People would rather be unhappy than uncertain. We resist change even if it might be good for us. God is always willing to do a new thing with us if we allow it.  He will look beneath the surface to see who we really are and who we can really be. 

“I’m thirsty! I’m hungry! I’m lonely! I’m broke! I’m hurt! I’m sick! What will you do about it, God? Are you with us or not?”

The wilderness is not just a geographical place. The wilderness becomes a state of mind for anyone who attempts to have faith. The landscape has no edible plant life and no visible water, but it does have lots of rocks. Moses cries out, “What shall I do?”  And, God answers.

If God is calling you to something big, He will see it through.  He will give you what you need.  He will lift you up when you need lifting.  It’s more likely that God is calling you to a whole lot of small installments of kindness, mercy and care for your neighbor. It is much more likely that God is looking for you to let go of your own strength, so you can experience His immeasurable strength.