Living in a Covid-19 World: Day #7

  

Building Your Mind-Memory

Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the

apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; 

write them on the tablet of your heart.  (Proverbs 7:2-3)

        Several years ago I had the opportunity to interview Lyndon Rush, the Canadian bobsled athlete. He and Jessie Lumsden were the 2013 overall two-man World Champions and he piloted the Canadian 4-man bobsled team to a bronze medal at the 2010 Vancouver-Whistler Winter Olympic Games. He now coaches young athletes to excel in this sport of finger-tip reflexes and break-neck speed.

        Lyndon Rush’s role on the team as driver meant that he needed to guide the bobsled through the twists and turns of the world’s most dangerous tracks. He explained that his position required both great physical strength and mental toughness, as he was responsible for the lives of his teammates. “People can die in this sport if you don’t know what you’re doing,” he said in the interview.

        As the driver of both the 4-man and 2-man events, Lyndon Rush put into practice a skill which he learned as a young boy; building his mind-memory. Rush grew up in a Christian home and memorized scripture as a child. He employed this same skill, memorizing and visualizing the perfect line of each track. His ability to guard the fine details of each course enabled him to compete at a world-class level.

        The same skill is needed for us as we navigate the complexities of the Covid-19 world. We are able to employ the words of Proverbs 7, which promises to keep us from wayward ways; keeping us on track. Memorizing the Word of God and focusing on His promises enables us to live in such a way that the “straight paths” or furrows of Proverbs 3:5-6 become our natural reaction to the circumstances and temptations that are thrown our way. Hiding God’s Word in our hearts – scripture memory – is one way to ensure that we can keep our way pure and not sin against Him (Psalm 119:9, 11).

Living in a Covid-19 World: Day #6

A Frown or a Smile?

There are six things the LORD hates,

seven that are detestable to him.

(Proverbs 6:16)

        What do haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up dissension all have in common? These are things that God – the One who describes Himself as love – declares as “out of bounds.”

        Human character doesn’t change in the face of a pandemic, and even though our media reports some acts of charity and human interest, there are also the stories of hoarders, internet and phone scams, and those deliberately disobeying the required limits of physical distancing and self-isolation. These things fall under heading which Proverbs Chapter Six declares as detestable to God (v. 16-19).         However, there are things that God loves. While this chapter tends to dwell on a life out of control (i.e. the sluggard, the scoundrel, the villain and the adulterer), it helps me to get through this reading if I think of the positive qualities that please God. What are they?

        God is pleased with eyes that are fixed on Him (Heb. 12:1). We can bring healing and wisdom with our words (Prov. 15:1-4). His pleasure is seen in hands that save lives, like those of our doctors and medical staff. The feet of those who bring the Good News of Christ’s love and forgiveness are called beautiful (Rom. 10:15). The Lord delights in the truth (Prov. 12:22). Jesus called peacemakers blessed and said they will be called sons of God (Matt. 5:9).

        We cannot escape the fact that there are things – and I would venture to say that the list is much longer than six or seven things – that are displeasing to God. But it is important to balance this list with the equal number of things that please Him; that bring a smile to his face. It helps me to focus on Christ-like character and the need to be “walking in the light” (1 John 1:7). It causes me to think that today I want to see God’s smile, not his frown.  

Living in a Covid-19 World: Day #5

Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel.  (Proverbs 5:8-9)

We’ve got some great word-pictures in the English language, and “curiosity killed the cat” is one of them. It reminds me of a neighbour’s cat some years ago. The feline would come and drink from our dog’s water dish, just outside our back door window. The “kitty with the bell” flaunted her audacity with a flick of her tail and would go off, ringing as she fled at the sound of an opening door.

Proverbs chapter five speaks of one specific sin, but the principle applies to all others. While we may not be getting out during these days of the pandemic, the truth is that we might be thinking ahead to those times that we’ll be released back into what is being called a “new normal.” When we do, our bent towards pushing the limit and seeing how close we can get to something without getting burnt, will still hold true. This chapter is clear; stay away from it!

George Verwer, the founder of Operation Mobilisation, speaks about this in his book, Drops from a Leaking Tap. He shares how he as a leader has dealt with pornography and sexual sin, with what he calls a “grace awakened” approach to avoiding the traps set along his way. The first word of advice he gives is “don’t go looking for it, because if you do, it will find you.”

One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to guide us in all truth, and to guide our feet, eyes, and ears. Submitting to the Spirit will make us sensitive to the places we shouldn’t meander, and those things which lead to destruction. My prayer today (and every day) is that He keep me to a path that is aligned with God’s will for my life.

Living in a Covid-19 World: Day #4

Heart Health in a Coronavirus World

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

The last thing that I want to have happen to me during this time of pandemic is to need to go into the hospital for an emergency surgery, or testing, or anything like that. It makes sense, therefore, to make sure that we take care of our physical and mental health. Much like pre-Covid19 times, there are three things that we need to observe to give ourselves a fighting chance for a healthy heart: Get plenty of rest, eat properly, and exercise daily.

Is it any surprise that a healthy spiritual heart requires the three same elements? Taking care of our heart takes care of all other elements of our lives.

Get Plenty of Rest: The title of Mark Buchanan’s book, The Rest of God, is a play on words. As we learn to rest (or trust) in God, we learn that there is so much more to learn about God. Rest is more than taking an afternoon snooze or watching a movie, but it is the purposeful exercise to be quiet before God, allowing him to speak to us, observing His work in our lives and the world around us. Some call this Sabbath, but it’s just plain smart practice for our spiritual health. In our Covid-19 world we are encouraged to stay at home, giving us a chance to experience the gift of rest.

Eat the Right Foods: There was an old saying when computers first came out: GIGO, or garbage in, garbage out. Simply stated, what you put into the CPU it spits out. It’s not a mystery that people who spend time reading God’s Word and study it with others (small group or at church) grow in their walk with the Lord. In our current situation we need to not give into the temptation to live on spiritual junk food, but rather focus on those things that will feed our souls.

Exercise Daily: Spiritual exercise means serving others and putting into practice that which we’ve learned. We can eat the right food, but if there is too much of it, we become blimps. There’s a need to put into practice daily exercise, not only getting out and going for a walk, but serving others and putting our God-given gifts into use in the ways and means permitted within the context of social and physical distancing.

What are the benefits of having a healthy heart? Proverbs 4:24-27 gives us three hints, as the passages speak of our words, our eyes, and our feet. The consequences of a healthy heart affect the temptations of life. Take some time to contemplate on your spiritual heart health today and pray the words of Psalm 139:23-24:

Search me O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Living in a Covid-19 World: Day #3

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.  (Proverbs 3:5, 6 - NIV)

Last summer Rhonda and I did something that we are not going to be able to do in this summer in our Covid-19 world. We ticked an item off my bucket list, traveling to Washington D.C. and to Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. We hiked a portion of the Appalachian Trail and drove the Skyline Drive, an historic 105-mile route that traverses Shenandoah National Park.

Each time I drive in the mountains I am reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6 and a personal question gnaws at me: Why does trusting in God lead to “straight paths” instead of a life filled with wonder and adventure around each corner? I wonder if people in Saskatchewan or Kansas understand this verse differently from those who live in British Columbia or Colorado?

Those who live on the prairies know about straight roads that seem to stretch for hundreds of miles without a curve. The Prairies are known for their open skylines, spectacular sunsets, and country roads that stretch before you into an infinite horizon.

But people who live in the Rocky Mountains – or the Blue Ridge Mountains – only know a straight road as a small uphill section which allows a couple of fleeting seconds to pass a slow moving truck. The words straight line and mountain road don’t go together.

My life resembles a curve-filled road with unexpected challenges or circumstances around each bend. If I reflect on it, my life has few straight stretches where I knew how everything would work out.

A deeper understanding of the Hebrew word piel, translated “to make straight,” gives some insight into the meaning of this popular text. The word-picture is that of a furrow in the soil, plowed to enable the flow of water along a direct path. The person who places himself or herself in this “straight way” can experience God’s guidance, direction and blessing (Prov. 16:9 and 20:24). Acknowledging that the ways and plans of the Lord are right leads to a purpose-filled and fruitful life (Hosea 14:9).

My work on a survey crew helped me understand how even a curve-filled road can reflect a master plan with a well-defined purpose. The preliminary work of the surveyor establishes a road’s center line. An engineer takes that work and plots the course of a road and everything revolves around the blueprint or plan he forms. Building the road hinges upon the center line, guiding every foot of pavement that is laid. Once the asphalt has cooled, a line is painted to guide drivers around corners. Although they can’t see around the curve in the road, motorists trust that a well-meaning engineer placed the line to protect them.

I believe that the Master Engineer has placed a center line for us to follow. It is found in the wisdom of His Word, seen in people who don’t have all the answers, and experienced when we place our trust in Him; even when we don’t always know how things will turn out.

What is one situation or circumstance where you need direction from God today? Has the uncertainty of the pandemic left you paralyzed? Read and personalize the words of Psalm 48:14 as a prayer: For this God, He is my God for ever and ever; He will be my guide, even to the end.

Living in a Covid-19 World: Day #2

A New Definition of Treasure

And if you look for it (wisdom) as silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.  (Proverbs 2:4, 5 NIV)

     Have you gone to the supermarket lately? Have you noticed that in this Covid-19 world some things have changed? Items we once thought were important, almost essential for us, have become dispensable. Other things have become the new currency or treasure in a world that’s been turned upside-down.

     I’ve seen signs that state “Limit of One per Customer” and “Out of Stock” for the first time in many stores. I’ve waited as a crowd lines up outside a supermarket that reports having a new load of toilet paper, or yeast, or paper towels.

     This has led to hoarding in some cases; hoarding of the most ridiculous things. Who needs a three-month supply of paper towel? How many Lysol wipes are needed for a family of four? Why is the price of a pack of T.P. more than a tank of gas? The current pandemic crisis has caused many to shift their priorities in an unhealthy way.

     Proverbs Chapter Two makes it clear that wisdom is more valuable than gold, a treasure that requires our utmost effort and attention. We are called to have a shift in our priorities, looking to God for things of eternal value, and trusting Him to care for those things that are merely temporal necessities.

     Jesus put it this way: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth ... But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven ... Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt. 6:19-21)

     We are told that wisdom will save us, protect us, and keep us from perverse men and women. The second chapter of Proverbs shows the two sides of the coin; those who find treasure that lasts, and those who spend their lives on that which leads down an errant path. It makes me ask, what are the things that I’m spending my time and energy for? How can I use the current situation to get rich in the right way, not only just survive the latest shortage?

Proverb-a-Day: Wisdom for a Covid-19 World

May 1, 2020 – Proverbs Chapter 1

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. 

(Prov. 1:32-33)

Welcome to Proverb-a-Day, the “Wisdom for a COVID-19 World” edition. It’s been my habit for many years to take advantage of a month with 31 days to read through the book of Proverbs. This year it seems to be a worthwhile exercise as we live in a world of self-isolation and government-enforced quarantine, as the world faces a global pandemic that has resulted in the death of over 250,000 people. What does the Word of God have to say to us in this situation?

I encourage participants to read through one chapter each day and write a brief note in the comments section of this posting. Add your thoughts about with the ways you have seen biblical principles work themselves out in your life, or how they speak to your current situation. Use this exercise to reflect on what God is teaching you during this time.

I usually start my reflections on Proverbs by noting two things: First, that the Hebrew word for wisdom is has the idea of power for living embedded in it. Second, that the purpose statement for the book is found in verse seven – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

The verses that jump out at me today, living in a COVID-19 world, have a timely warning. We are told the results of the person that despises wisdom; in this situation that there is a reason to listen to our healthcare professionals and take measures like physical distancing and self-isolation. God’s wisdom for our current situation, given through the people he has placed in positions of authority, is so we might live in safety. Disregard the warnings and you will learn the wisdom of a Texas saying; If you want to dance, you’re going to have to pay the fiddler.