The lesser-known part of Proverbs 31

Today: Proverbs 30-31

Proverbs 31 contains perhaps one of the most talked-about passages in the Bible, particularly at womens' conferences (though I think there are now books and messages about "The Proverbs 31 Man," too!). This famous part of the chapter describes characteristics of a good wife (if you want to read my thoughts about it, check out this old blog post called "The Prov. 31 Woman: Mother Teresa Meets Ivanka Trump?").

I'm not going to write more about that part of the chapter today. Instead, I thought it would be interesting to think and write about the part of Proverbs 31 that precedes it. It's a section labeled "Speak out for Justice." This section records advice given to a man (King Lemuel, to be exact). His mother warned him not go after women who are gold-diggers or promiscuous. She also encouraged him not to get drunk and to stay level-headed. Her key advice for her son the king?

"Speak up for the people who have no voice,

for the rights of all the down-and-outers.

Speak out for justice!

Stand up for the poor and destitute!"

I love this. I love that it encourages leaders to use their voices, power and hands to help those in need. Another thing I find interesting? These are instructions directed to a man (though I think they really apply to anyone). I find that interesting because today, compassion-oriented causes are often driven by female volunteers and leaders. I'm not saying that female leadership is bad or that male leadership is better. But I do wish more men realized that "compassion" causes aren't just women's causes. When we work together--as men and women, as teens and Baby Boomers, as couples and singles--the better we can serve the people who need help from all of us. If you're breathing and you've got a voice (or a laptop or a pen and paper or some influence), use it!

Tomorrow: Ecclesiastes 1-4

Shining and saving

Today: Psalm 115-118

Tomorrow begins one of my favorite events of the year: the women's conference at my home church. This year's theme as "Shine." I'm sure there will be lots of sparkles and lights around (it is a girly-girl kind of event, after all!). I'm also sure that the speakers will talk about what it means to shine. It's interesting to me that today's passage shed some light (no pun intended!) on the topic as well:

God is higher than anything and anyone,

outshining everything you can see in the skies.

Who can compare with God, our God,

so majestically enthroned,

Surveying his magnificent

heavens and earth?

He picks up the poor from out of the dirt,

rescues the wretched who've been thrown out with the trash,

Seats them among the honored guests,

a place of honor among the brightest and best.

He gives childless couples a family,

gives them joy as the parents of children.

Hallelujah!

But you, Israel: put your trust in God!

—trust your Helper! trust your Ruler!

At Christian conferences for women and men, there's often talk like, "God's called you to be a king!" or "You're one of God's princesses." There's definitely truth in those statements--in the Bible, there are references to people like Esther placed "in a royal position" and God refers to His people as "heirs" called to "rule and reign" with Christ.

That said, I don't think being a king or queen in God's Kingdom is just about sparkles, power and fanfare. On the contrary, I think Jesus was a king with callouses--or a knight in strong armor whose heart bled (in His case, literally) for people. Women like Esther were queens who took major risks for the unloved and underprivileged. The female heroes of the Bible were not pristine princesses in high towers, present only in polished cliques--I picture them as princesses with patches on their knees and dirt on their fingernails. They helped real people.

Because what good is shine if it doesn't reach the darkness? And what good is strength if it lies sedentary?

I love the fact that God is a ruler who also helps.

I love that I know plenty of amazing princesses with patches--women beautiful inside and out who do things like building orphanages for children in South Africa affected by AIDS, giving their time to read to underprivileged kids in our city, donating money to help reach people with the Gospel...and so many other things.

I also love that I know a few good kings with callouses--guys who aren't too proud to spend a Saturday picking weeds in a disabled woman's yard, who live everyday as good dads and husbands, and who give time out of their busy schedules to volunteer at their churches.

Thank you all for shining and serving--for your strength and for your hearts. You will never know (well, until heaven anyway!) what you've done to impact me and so many others. Shining and saving isn't easy, but you're following God's example and that's just priceless.

Tomorrow: Psalm 119:1-88

With everything

Today: Joshua 22-24

"...Love God, your God,

walk in all his ways,

do what he's commanded,

embrace him,

serve him

with everything

you are and have."

Tomorrow: Judges 1-2

The details of serving

Today: 2 Corinthians 5-9

Have you ever been at a restaurant where the server went above and beyond?

It may not have even been a fancy place--just somewhere where the server called you by name, refilled your drinks before you ever had to ask, or sent you home with extra fresh breadsticks to accompany your leftover pasta. Maybe he held out your chair before you sat down or she brought extra crayons for the kids at the table. Great servers are great with the details.

What about the people who serve God? Maybe they volunteer at church...or maybe you just know them at work or school. Yup, the details are important there, too. Here's what today's passage said:

Our work as God's servants gets validated—

or not—

in the details.

People are watching us as we stay at our post,

alertly, unswervingly . . .

in hard times, tough times, bad times;

when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed;

working hard, working late, working without eating;

with pure heart, clear head, steady hand;

in gentleness, holiness, and honest love;

when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power;

when we're doing our best setting things right;

when we're praised, and when we're blamed;

slandered, and honored;

true to our word, though distrusted;

ignored by the world, but recognized by God;

terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead;

beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die;

immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy;

living on handouts, yet enriching many;

having nothing, having it all.

Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 10-13

Gone fishin'

Today: John 19-21

I don't know what it is about fishing, but some people absolutely LOVE it. They find it relaxing. Satisfying. Peaceful.

For others, fishing is work. It can be boring. It can take hours. Sometimes there are no results. Fishing can even be dangerous. (My Dad sometimes watches a show called "Deadliest Catch" that illustrates that point pretty well!)

But even though it may be dull or dangerous, real fishermen (and women) can't imagine NOT fishing.

Fishing is discussed in the Gospels quite a bit. When Jesus first met some of His disciples, they were fishing--some of them earned a living that way and left their jobs to follow Him.

Today I noticed that the last time Jesus saw some of the disciples (after His resurrection), they were fishing again.

Does that seem significant to anyone else?

As a writer, when I see the repetition of a similar situation in a story or movie (think the little girl in red in "Schindler's List" or the color red in "The Sixth Sense"), it usually means something. In this case, I had a few interesting observations about the meaning of this fishing scenes, some of which are explicitly shown in the text.

• When Jesus first meets the disciples fishing, He calls them to follow Him. When He sees them fishing after the resurrection, He's calling them again...to lead.
  
• The first time Jesus calls the disciples, they leave their work and their jobs as fishermen. I have no idea what that meant to their family budgets, but I'm guessing it wasn't easy. In contrast, when Jesus sees the disciples fishing after His resurrection, He performs a miracle and helps them obtain 153 big fish--probably a nice boost to their incomes. I love this because it shows how God takes care of (even the practical) the needs of His people.
  
• When Jesus first met the disciples, He basically asked them to stop fishing. In this second example, He instructs them to start fishing...for men (people).

I think fishing for people may be like fishing for...well, fish.

Sometimes, it's very rewarding--you realize that you played a part in helping someone know God or His love. You make a difference in a life and another person is changed forever.

Other times, it's exhausting. You may listen, love, encourage or serve someone else without ever seeing the results or benefiting yourself.

And I won't beat around the bush...sharing love and God with people can be dangerous. Some have literally died doing it and others have been devastatingly hurt (physically and/or emotionally).

But can you imagine NOT fishing for people? Not loving people? Not a chance.

Tomorrow: Acts 1-3