Living Letters

Image result for image of a man in a woodworking shop We had a refreshing visit with John. He was cordial, gracious, interesting, and entertaining–in a subtle sort of way. He was one of those people that make you ask, “Tell me more.”

We met him Monday when we went to pick up something at his home. Our visit lasted much longer than the errand required. We were fascinated by the projects he was working on or had recently completed and would’ve liked to stay longer, hear more of his story, and see even more. He seemed accomplished at anything he attempted, but was quite humble as he shared.

I believe it was his humility and joy of life that made our visit so delightful, but something else stood out to me first. While looking at woodworking equipment in his shop, he showed us some beautiful wooden goblets and said, “My wife loves wood, so I made her these.”

Next, John showed us a not-yet-complete table that he designed and is making because his wife wanted it. As we noted other things he had done, it was nearly always because she wanted it. He told us matter-of-factly, but joy was evident in his tone. The thought put into the work and the excellence in the tasks also spoke of his love for her.

Shortly after we got there, his wife walked a good distance from the house to the shop to bring him two pieces of bacon to eat for his breakfast. He left for the shop before breakfast was prepared, so she made sure he had a little in his stomach to keep him going. I was blessed by witnessing their caring relationship after what I would guess was fifty years of marriage.

I’ve kept remembering snippets of our visit and wish all marriages were built on such love and selfless giving one for the other. A happy marriage requires sacrifice, but I’m sure there would be fewer divorces if the sacrifice were always expressed with such love and joy.

That visit also led me to wonder what people experience when they meet us for the first time. Do they sense love and joy in our marriage? Are they blessed to be in our home or to be with us for a brief time? Do they want to stay longer and hear more? Do they leave with a smile on their faces and in their hearts? I would hope so, but out of that visit, I’ve determined to be more giving and less self-serving.

While caring for our elderly parents, I was aware that the act of sacrificial giving for the good of another led to deeper love for that person. How much more would that be true in a marriage relationship?

However, out of our visit, the question that has haunted me most concerns my relationship with God. I didn’t pick up anything that indicated John was a Christian, but out of our visit, I’ve wondered if when people interact with me, do they experience my love for the Lord in the way I felt John’s love for his wife?

He obviously joyed in pleasing his wife. He spent time, energy, thought and creativity in his service to her. It wasn’t a burden to him. He enjoyed it because he loved her. Furthermore, he was quick to speak of her. It didn’t bother him to say that she was his motivation and that he was working for her.

Oh, what a testimony it would be to the world if those of us who call ourselves Christian, glowed with such a love and joy in our relationship with Jesus Christ and in eager, joyful service for Him.

After all, our lives are a testimony, a letter which He has written on our hearts, known and read by all men (see 2 Cor. 3:1-3). Others are watching and are reading our lives to see what it’s like to walk with the Lord.

We are living letters whether we realize it or not. What are others reading?

How Should a Christian Respond to Personal Attacks?

Have you ever watched a bucket full of crabs? They fight to get to the top by clawing their way over others, pulling down anybody in their way. It produces a hopeless situation that traps them all in the bottom of the bucket.

You may not have seen crabs trying to climb to the top, but if you watch the news or read comments on news or blog posts, you’ve surely seen the phenomenon. It’s much too common today.

Someone with a crab mentality tries to gain importance by negating anybody deemed as opposition. It’s evident in the comments on blog posts, on college campuses, in the political arena—and in our neighborhoods.

Rather than sitting down to discuss differences and try to reach an understanding, if not a consensus, harsh, hurtful comments are made to discredit the other person and/or their opinions. Too often, the attacks are aimed at the person rather than the idea.

It’s a sad reflection on our day and our people that we try to promote our own standing or agenda by attacking and discrediting others. What happened to respect and civility?

Or, perhaps it’s more important to ask ourselves what we need to do in the midst of such a culture.

During the political mudslinging and personal attacks, I’ve asked how God would have me respond if I were attacked so directly–especially if it is public, with others observing and likely judging my reactions. How would He direct His ambassador to act in such a situation?

I’m a responder. If somebody pushes, I automatically push back. You speak to me in a harsh voice, and I’m likely to respond in a harsh voice. I don’t want to, but, too often, I’m guilty. It’s a natural (fleshly) defense mechanism, common to man.

But that isn’t what Jesus did in response to the Pharisees, and it isn’t what He did as He went to the cross (Matt. 26-27). In fact, in the garden, He replaced the ear that His follower, who took up the fight in Jesus’ defense, cut off the opposition (Matt. 26:51-52).

As His follower, what does that say about how I should respond to attacks?

Jesus responded in the opposite spirit of those who attacked Him. He did not play their games for greater position. Neither did He defend Himself.

I believe, as followers of Christ, He would have us respond in the opposite spirit too. We are to be light in darkness (Acts 13:47), His witnesses (Acts 22:15), a testimony of His love (Matt. 10:18), declarers of His kingdom (Matt. 10:7), servants (Mark 9:35), and encouragers of others (1 Th. 5:11). We are to love our enemies and do good to them (Luke 6:27), not tear them down so we can rise.

How do we do that when the attack is intentional and unrelenting? Most of us are not being personally attacked now, but what if it comes to that?

How do we respond like Jesus did? We can’t. And we need to recognize that before the attack happens (John 15:5).

The only way to consistently show the forbearance and love of the Lord is to be plugged into His love, with an open valve so that His love is flowing freely at the moment of attack (John 15:4-5). The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy (Rom. 14:17). If that reigns in our hearts, it will be seen and heard in our actions, words, and tone of voice.

We can’t do it, but Christ in us can. He is our strength and defender. As we surrender our lives to Him and trust Him to defend us, He will give us the grace and wisdom to respond rather than react. (Phil. 4:13)

There is one condition. We don’t know when the attack will come, so we can’t wait until the last minute and run to Him to be filled. We need to stay attached to the vine, drinking from the source. Otherwise, our grace to respond graciously will be lacking, because attacks don’t wait for us to ready ourselves.

If we try to stay on top through our own strength, we will soon have a crab mentality.We’ll look just like those who attack us. Furthermore, we’ll be battered and bruised, and will end up trapped in the bottom of the barrel with those we’re fighting to overcome.

If we trust God and seek to represent Him, He will defend us and guide us along the way. It won’t guarantee that all will be smooth. However, we will prevail and produce fruit for the kingdom only as we allow the Lord to do the work in us.

Help us, Lord, to abide in You and allow You to work through us. Have mercy on us and establish Your kingdom in us and on the earth as it is in heaven.

Does It Matter?

After the, “Amen,” the six-year-old looked at us and said, “You really love God, don’t you?”

When Robert and I took our little friend for a hamburger, we held hands and had a blessing before we ate. It seems that she was not accustomed to doing that with her family, at least not in public.

Another time, we prayed before eating while in Brazil with two of our sons. We raised our heads to see a man leaning over the corner of our table with tears in his eyes. He said, “One of these days, I will be doing this with my family.”

He confessed to having been unfaithful as a husband and father. His sinful lifestyle had destroyed his family. He’d become a Christian a year earlier, and his deepest desire was to see his family come to know the Lord and for the family to be restored.

You might think, “Why not pray silently while putting my napkin in my lap? Does it matter if I bow to pray at McDonald’s? ”

Does it matter?

What we do does matter. At both of these events, we were going about life. We were being ourselves, doing what we do.

We had no idea that we were being watched. Our little friend observed and understood that we love God. At breakfast, the stranger saw that we love God and each other. It brought him to tears as it quickened a longing deep in his heart.

These situations made Paul’s words to the Corinthians come alive for me, “You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all” (2 Cor. 3:2).

Paul didn’t need other people to write letters commending him to newcomers, because people could just look at the Corinthians to see the effect of Paul’s message in their lives.

Robert’s recent visit to see pastors his father worked with while planting churches in Brazil renewed the awareness that people read our lives and it matters what we do.

Time after time, people who knew his parents told of events or conversations that occurred through the course of their service there. Nothing big or spectacular, but lessons were learned that have never been forgotten.

One woman told of going to the country for a party for a young lady who was getting married. While preparing to go, she and her friend talked about how Robert’s mother always looked nice, so they worked to dress accordingly, adding jewelry to look their best. They copied what they learned from watching her life.

However, when she arrived to pick them up, she paused after greeting them. She asked, “Have you thought about who we’re going to see? These people don’t have much. I think they’d be more comfortable if we dress simply when we visit with them.” She very kindly and gently sent them back to dress more simply.

She was living her life of caring about others. They never forgot the lesson, and they loved her for it.

We do not live in a vacuum. We are letters whether we like it or not, and whether we realize it or not. The way we live reflects upon our family, our school or place of business, our church, and—if we call ourselves Christian—on our God.

As we go about life, people notice whether we are angry and judgmental or kind and loving. What they read in us may be their only letter of recommendation about Jesus. It could lead them turn their backs on Him.

On the other hand, many people have given their lives to the Lord because of the righteousness, peace, and joy they see in a believer.

“You yourselves are our letter of recommendation . . . to be known and read by all” (2 Cor. 3:2).

It does matter. The way we live matters every day.

May we be mirrors that reflect the goodness of God, giving glory and honor to Him.

Robert & Kay Camenisch encouraging and equipping relationships