This past week we celebrated my granddaughter’s third birthday. It was quite a celebration. We ate her favorite food, orange chicken from Panda Express. She had cake pops with green sprinkles because green is her favorite color. She got a new princess dress. It was a wonderful party.

All was not perfect though. Whenever you get people together, you run into problems. We bring our issues, imperfections, attitudes, prejudices, preferences, and sin wherever we go, even to a celebration. I heard a story of one incident that occurred at the party and it taught me a lesson.

The little girls were running around playing. Three of them took off running to a back bedroom. Two of them ran into the bedroom and slammed the door closed. They locked little Quinn out, leaving her standing alone outside. My daughter Jessica saw this happen and she went to resolve the problem.

When she told little Quinn that she was sorry that this had happened, the response was priceless. Quinn said, “It’s ok. I thought Greta just needed some alone time”. She had thought the best of the people involved even though they were actually being mean. I thought that this was so sweet. Then I started wondering if it was wise or healthy. I decided it is the best way to be.

When we give people the benefit of the doubt and allow them to be themselves without fear of condemnation, good things happen. I would like to name just a few.

1. Quinn’s feelings weren’t hurt because she didn’t take the other girls’ behavior personally. She put the responsibility for that choice on them.
2. Quinn’s response protected the relationship between the girls. They could continue playing together without tension because Quinn wasn’t holding a grudge.
3. The choice allowed for an authority figure to intervene easily and deal with the real issue. There wasn’t a bunch of added sin issues involved that needed to be weeded through to get to the heart of the matter.
4. The soft heart and kind attitude of this precious girl brought joy to those around her.
5. Showing love and patience even when others are imperfect fulfills the law of Christ, “Love others as yourself”.
6. Gentleness and kindness glorify God.

My prayer today is that I will be more like Quinn. I want to think the best of others. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt when I do not know their motives. It is my heart’s desire to think what is good and healthy for me and those around me.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8, ESV)

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5–7, ESV)

This week I was confronted with the fact that I do not fellowship with all people regardless of their behavior and worldview. I was confronted by two different people in two different circumstances. I felt convicted to change my behavior in one circumstance. I felt that I needed to be more accepting, tolerant, understanding, and patient.

In the other situation, I did not feel that I needed to change my behavior or revisit the choice I had made. The choice I had made was to remove myself from a sinful relationship. It was a little confusing for me that I came to one conclusion in one scenario and the completely opposite conclusion in the other situation. I started to think about the dilemma in light of Scripture.

In 1 John 1:5-7, I found some answers. If we walk in the light, collectively, we all enjoy fellowship. If we walk in darkness, we do not have fellowship with the light. Paul sheds more light on this matter, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14, ESV)

I realized that it was my job to shine light into the world (Hide it under a bushel, NO! I’m gonna let it shine). As I shine the light to all equally, some will be drawn to it. They will even come from the darkest pits of sin to bask in the warmth of God’s love. I need to provide that opportunity to all without prejudice.

Although some will be saved and drawn to the goodness of God, some will not. “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (John 3:20–21, ESV). Those that hate the light, will also hate those that shine with it.

As I studied this information, I realized that, at times, I withhold the light from those that I feel are unworthy of it. This is wrong. God’s love for mankind is exhibited by living in the light. As I shine, God gets glory and people get saved. I must “let this little light shine”.

I also realized that I cannot force people to live in the light. As I continue in fellowship with the Light of the World, I will lose fellowship with those that choose to stay in darkness. It is inevitable. I cannot walk in darkness with them in order to keep a relationship going. My prayer needs to be that they come out of darkness and walk with me in the light.

Jesus summed it up perfectly. ““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16, ESV).

It is common for Christian’s to say that they act for an audience of one. We do what we do for God and His glory. Of course, this is not always true. Motives get confused and we desire glory, praise, and recognition.

Sometimes I get discouraged that my ministry has not grown or that I haven’t sold more books. I get distracted by the numbers and forget that I am to act for an audience of One! I learned a valuable lesson about this recently.

I minister to women in a small group setting. I teach a Bible study each week for a group of about 6 or 8 women. And of course, I do not know what they are really learning. I do not know what they apply to their lives and what changes their heart. I just keep sharing because I know that God’s Word changes hearts and lives.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” (Psalm 19:7–10, ESV)

Although I go each week and teach, there are times I get my eyes off the goal. The goal is to please God. In obedience, I play to the audience of One. But I realized there was another audience of one I also act for, the individual to whom I am ministering.

One woman in particular, Sara, taught me the importance of ministering to one. She has been attending our group for years, on and off. She was belligerent and disruptive when she first came. We continued to show love to her. I continued to teach the Word of Truth. She understood the Gospel, but it took a while before she was willing to bend her will and trust him.

Praise God. Sara now knows Jesus as her personal Savior and is learning to walk with Him daily. This miracle in one life has spurred me on. It has encouraged me. It reminded me that my ministry to one matters. It has eternal significance.

If I use my talents and gifts to reach only one other person, it is profitable. One more soul saved by the grace of God. One more heart filled with the love of Jesus. It will be another voice who is speaking the truth in love. Another life transformed and bringing glory to God. What a joy to have another Christian brother or sister to enjoy life with.

It is good to play for an audience of one.

I watched Aladdin with my granddaughter today. Every time I watch this movie, I am convicted by the same part of the movie. Here is the dialog that gets me thinking.

Aladdin: “Wow. The palace looks pretty amazing, huh?”
Princess Jasmine: [glumly] “Oh… It’s wonderful.”
Aladdin: “I wonder what it’d be like to live there, and have servants, and valets.”
Princess Jasmine: “Oh, sure. People who tell you where to go and how to dress.”
Aladdin: “That’s better than here. You’re always scraping for food and ducking the guards.”
Princess Jasmine: “You’re not free to make your own choices.”
Aladdin: “Sometimes you feel so…”
Princess Jasmine: “You’re just…”
Aladdin, Princess Jasmine: “…trapped.”

Let me set the stage.

Princess Jasmine has run away from the palace because she felt like she was a prisoner. Aladdin is a poor, unemployed young man who lives by his wits in the streets of Agrabah. He too feels trapped and unable to change things because of his poverty. When they meet, Jasmine finds excitement in Aladdin’s life. He dreams of living in the palace.

They each are suffering from the same malady, discontentment. Although they each have benefits in their life, they don’t see them. Aladdin is young and free. He has nothing to tie him down. He could pick up at a moment’s notice and travel the world. Career choices are endless. He has no responsibility other than finding purpose for living.

Jasmine has every physical need met. She has a father you loves her and is seeking her best. She has a life of privilege and comfort. She has every material blessing including the most fabulous home. She has no responsibility other than to find someone to love and spend her life with.

From the outside, I can see the benefits that each of them has. But I can also appreciate their discontent because I suffer from the same malady. But I need to change that. As I watched the rest of the movie, I realized that a lack of contentment brings disaster.

Aladdin needed to memorize Hebrews 13:5. “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”” Aladdin’s discontent harmed a lot of people. His obsession with riches and moving up in life caused all kinds of unnecessary problems. His sin and lack of trust in the great God of the universe became life threatening.

Jasmine also faced scary situations because she was dissatisfied. She left the palace causing her father worry and she put Aladdin in harm’s way. Her selfish choice caused pain for others. She needed to read Philippians 4:11-13, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

This discontent is not just a story line from an animated film. It is a line from life. Discontent people are harming one another daily. They are also harming themselves in the process. People seek wealth so they neglect their families and lose them. Many think a new and exciting relationship would be better than the one they are currently in, so they cheat, leaving a wake of emotional destruction behind them. Gamblers lose thousands of dollars because they are not content with what they currently have. Many unsatisfied people self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, leading them to a numb existence where they don’t fully live and enjoy.

A lack of contentment robs us of safety, peace, joy, and life. Always seeking something else, we don’t relax and immerse ourselves in what we already have when we are discontent. Fortunately, God has an answer for this. He is the answer.

If we seek God first and foremost, all the things we need for life and godliness are ours already. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” (2 Peter 1:3–4, ESV) We can escape from the corruption that sinful desire brings by resting in the fact that we are partakers of His divine nature. He, Himself will never leave us or forsake us. He gives us strength to do all things, no matter what our outward circumstances are.

Contentment is an important characteristic of the believer’s life. If we can truly find contentment in Jesus, we will protect our hearts and the hearts of those around us.

Do you need more encouragement to be content in God? Read and meditate on Psalm 145!

“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:11-14

I was eating chocolate the other night. Actually, I eat a little chocolate almost every night. More accurately then, I was thinking about the chocolate as I ate it the other night. I was eating an intensely dark chocolate. It was bitter. I still liked it. That surprised me.

I thought about how my tastes had changed over the years. I always liked chocolate. As a child, I was shocked when people served dessert without chocolate. It seemed pointless. My attitude was if you can have chocolate, why have anything else? But back then, I loved sweet chocolate. As I got older, I discovered the joy of semi-sweet chocolate chips. I started enjoying the bitter more. I don’t know why things changed, I just know they did.

As time has gone on, I have tried a lot more chocolate and have come to enjoy some pretty dark bitter flavors. I still have to have some sweetness and creaminess, but I appreciate the bitter with the sweet. I realized that this same change has happened in my Christian life.

When I was a child, I thought living for Jesus was always creamy and very sweet. It was wonderful. I didn’t understand people who didn’t live for Jesus. If you can have Jesus, why have anything else? I loved the sweet life I had with the Lord.
But as I got older, I discovered that life in itself is not always that sweet. So as I have matured, things have changed some. I discovered that I could enjoy a life that is semi-sweet and sometimes even bitter.

I can’t say I have always enjoyed the semi-sweet or bitter like I should. I forgot what made the naturally unpleasant, palatable. It needs cream, butter, and sugar. Most of the time I tried to eat the chocolate of life without those essential ingredients.

The cream, butter, and sugar that make the bitterness of life not just palatable but actually enjoyable are Jesus love, his promises, and the sweet fellowship we have with him. When we take the unpleasant and add the love of Jesus, we enjoy a sweetness that we would not have otherwise tasted. When in the midst of bitter times we focus on his promises and seek to enjoy fellowship with him, we experience a richness and creaminess that is completely and totally delicious.

I read through Ephesians 1. It was a reminder of the butter, cream, and sugar that we as believers have been given. It was a reminder that life is meant to be enjoyable. It is full of wonderful flavor. I just need to add Jesus to the bitter things in life to make them more palatable, or dare I say it, delicious!

Thank you, Jesus, for being the richness and sweetness in my life. You make the bitter, delicious when we add you to the situation. You make all things palatable, and in you we can have a life of abundance. Thank you for the good things in life!
(Originally posted 6/11)