We live in a society that expects results. Get ahead, prosper, and thrive. Success at all costs. But when is the price too high, demanding more and more until we reach some breaking point?

We hope beyond hope that money solves all problems. Lurking in the shadows, likewise, we also know that it’s the root of all kinds of evil. How lottery winners, after all the shirttail relatives and self-appointed friends show up looking for a hefty handout, those top dog sweepstake champs wind up thinking more about what they’ve lost than gained, with winning being more of a curse. But I’d be different if I won. Wouldn’t I? You think? Probably not!

How about reasons for following Jesus? Because He’s got lots of goodies for me? A cornucopia of material blessings? Plus, better safe than sorry? Some fire insurance for the final days ahead? A fairweather follower? On good days, but a tad shaky on the others? When I expect life to go my way, and if it doesn’t, then God can hitch a ride on someone else’s highway. You know what I mean? Am I a true-blue, sold-out, regardless of the consequences, disciple of Jesus? How about it? All right, already. I’ll stop asking these endless questions!

Just when you thought things should lighten up, I suggest that we tackle Jeremiah 44. It’s not an easy Bible chapter to fathom. Makes some of us uncomfortable. But such is life. For God’s people have been found unfaithful. Lousy followers. Turncoats. Phonies through and through.

Here’s one example–‘As for the word that you (Jeremiah) have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not listen to you. But we will do everything that we have vowed, make offerings to the queen of heaven (a pagan goddess) and pour out drink offerings to her, as we did, both we and our fathers, our kings and our officials, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty of food, and prospered, and saw no disaster. But since we left off making offerings to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything…’ (Jer. 44: 16-18). Read on, there’s more about God’s fickle, two-faced, snake-in-the-grass folk.

What these people own up to is quite a devastating admission–to be His alone, only if the going keeps getting better, and solely on good days. It’s easy to follow the Lord when life is fun and games, everything coming up roses, but what about the other times, which invariably come and knock us over? What then? Should I blame God? Turn my back on Him? Curse the day I was born as if to snub my nose at my Maker?

By the way, how am I doing with all this? My heart wants to stay close to Jesus no matter what, but will I always be loyal and dependable? Here I go again with more questions. But that’s where I’m at. Wondering? Hoping?

But wait a minute. Something seems misplaced, doesn’t it? Maybe I should focus on how faithful the Lord is to His own whose hearts yearn for Jesus alone. About how He’ll never desert us. That He keeps His word, the ultimate promise-keeper. It’s about Jesus more than about me or you. That’s where we should hang our hats.

So, I’m sticking close by the One who never moves away from me. Join me? There’s oodles of room at His feet. Cuddle up a little closer. No matter what hits the fan, we’ll be just fine. Okay? That’s my last question!

Thank you, Jesus, for being my Lord and Savior, regardless of what nasty things come my way. Especially then. Amen.

I love reading 19th-century novels like those by Dickens, Melville, Hugo, Dostoyevsky, and many others. A favorite novella is ‘Silas Marner’ by the English female author George Eliot. I’ve read it numerous times. With more to come, hopefully. It’s a moving story about a man, Master Marner, who becomes transformed from a greedy miser into a loving father of a small child who stumbles into his candle-lit cabin as her mother tragically dies, lying in a nearby snow bank. How does he earn his fortune? By weaving and then burying his earned gold coins under the rustic cabin’s floorboards.

Silas Marner is a weaver. The book’s subtitle is ‘The Weaver of Raveloe’. In those times, weavers often travelled, working from home to home in addition to laboring in their own cottages. My wife weaves. She has a loom. The shuttlecock flies by as she intertwines yarns of varied colors and blends. Some threads contain silk, cashmere, bamboo, and wool. It’s fascinating watching my wife at work. And from this ancient process, the most amazing creations emerge and bless our home.

When I read Psalm 139, I think of Master Marner and my wife, busy at work creating what’s beautiful and needed. Here’s what the psalmist writes–‘For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well’ (Ps. 139: 13-14).

King David, our psalmist today, praises the Master Weaver and Knitter, his God. The One who creates everything out of nothing, merely by uttering a word. He says it, it happens. Plain and simple, though its complexity confounds the sharpest human minds, though sadly it is rarely admitted. I think of our being made of DNA and RNA, their double- and single-helices wound and woven together, which make up the human body. Who can comprehend all of that? Certainly not me. You too?

The Hebrew language in verse 14 reads literally–‘…for I am fearfully wonderful…’ Now don’t get a swelled head. Yes, you may be ‘Mr. Wonderful’, but who created you? A self-made man? All by pulling up your own bootstraps? Think again.

‘Fearfully wonderful’ with awe and respect, love and admiration go deservedly to our Creator God and to Him alone. Or is it a matter of chance and chaos? Natural selection with genetic variation? Evolved that way? Hardly. Au contraire. We’ve been created, each of us, by a Master Craftsman. The One and Only. This is our God.

So remember. And don’t forget! To praise the One who knows what He’s doing. What He’s done and what’s to come. All history is His story. Pause and give the Lord praise for all His fearfully wonderful creation. As in you and me, too!

We praise you, our Lord, for being our Master Creator and Craftsman, who also loves us very much. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Awhile back, I read about how to have a super marriage. It wasn’t some sex manual, but was written about getting closer to each other. By relating better, a husband and wife grow more in love throughout their married life. That’s for me.

I must admit that I’m not much for how-to or self-help books. What I’ve read seems simplistic. Or too much of a formula, allowing no exceptions. As if we’re all cookie-cutter, made from the very same mold. I rebel against such, probably making me a tad moldy!

The writer’s main point is that those with successful marital relationships have leaned in toward each other. They’ve purposely moved closer to each other, not just physically, but by their attention and care. They champion each other. Side with each other. Partial to each other. They listen to each other. Drop what they’re doing when needed. Look up when called, clearing the mind to focus on their spouse. Bottom line, they’re for each other.

How am I doing? Please don’t ask my wife! Also, not to avoid another unpleasant topic, I wonder how all this leaning-in business applies to my spiritual life? My relationship with the Lord Jesus? Here you’re free to ask Him about me, for I know that He keeps confidences better than anyone. Nevertheless, how goes it?

Any relationship with your Lord must involve several elements. Agreed? You can name some. What comes to my mind is sharing with God whatever weighs on my mind and emotions. That’s prayer. Transparent, frank and honest, even though His name’s not Frank!

So, how are we doing? Here’s a warning– is your prayer life all about you and yours? Or even worse, just you? I remember being in prayer groups where, once in a blue moon, the instruction was given to pray only for others. Not yourself. That lasted about two seconds, if that, sad to say. So, get over yourself, why don’t you?

Something else about a good relationship is listening…to Jesus. As recommended, actually commanded, by God the Father–“He (Peter) was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him'” (Matthew 17: 5). Listen to whom? Right! Go to the head of the class! Again, listen to Jesus. But I wonder where we can hear from Him? Any ideas? Stumped you? No. You know!

Then, how about speaking nicely to God? Some pleasant praise. From the bottom of your heart. Not for brownie points or to butter Him up to wangle something out of the Almighty. Instead, share some genuine thanks and praise. Like how the Father speaks to His Son Jesus–‘…this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased…'( Matt. 17: 12). Some nice talk. How about sharing some real McCoy appreciation with your Lord?

Leaning in toward God. Favoring Jesus. Placing our future in His hands without reservation (one of my challenges). Looking beyond what our eyes can see to a firmer faith, though at times we’ll experience a teeter and a wobble. Yes, we may sway in the wind, but Jesus keeps us upright as we lean in upon Him.

Let’s do just that this week. Lean in!

Lord Jesus, I want to be yours no matter what. Amen.