Gratitude reminds us that He’s the source of every “good and perfect gift” (1:17). The way to avoid this sinful practice is through grateful participation with God. That’s why James warns us not to “boast in arrogant schemes,” for “all such boasting is evil” (v. Planning is necessary, but the sin of presumption is in the assumption that we’re in control. Life is brief, quick, and more fragile than we often realize. But James says, “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (4:14). We’re tempted to believe that we’re in control of our lives and that our plans for the future will succeed. The result? Today Netflix has more than 180 million subscribers and is worth nearly $200 billion. Blockbuster passed on the opportunity to purchase their little competitor. Netflix had roughly 300,000 subscribers, while Blockbuster had millions and millions of them. In 2000, an upstart company operating on a movie-rental-by-mail system offered to sell their company for $50 million to Blockbuster-the home movies and video game rentals king at that time. We always have Him to lean on as we also lean on and love others in His strength. But they had each other to love and lean on and God provided for them (2:11–12).ĭuring our times of grief, God’s love remains steady. They returned to Bethlehem, Naomi’s homeland, where Ruth would be a foreigner. Ruth, though also grieving, “clung” to her mother-in-law and committed to staying with her and caring for her (vv. Naomi grew bitter and depressed and urged Ruth to return to her mother’s family where she could be cared for. Naomi lost her husband and two sons-one who was married to Ruth (Ruth 1:3–5). Lori’s motto has become “Love and lean.” This idea is also seen in the Old Testament story of Ruth. She says that the deep sadness after suicide is “a whole different level of grief.” Yet she and her family have learned to lean on God and others for strength, and now they’re using their time to love others who are grappling with depression. was not exempt from suicide.” There are moments in the quiet when Lori pours out her sorrow to God. After he committed suicide at age fifteen, his mom, Lori, said of him, “It’s just hard to comprehend how someone that had so much going for him would come to that point. But he secretly struggled with depression. But we’re to be encouraged that our sowing of the Good News might, even after many years, be engaged by someone who will “accept it, and produce a crop” (4:20). As God works through to share our faith with others, we never know if our testimony will take root, or when. Beal’s seeds from 1879 were planted-and some sprouted, having survived more than 140 years. In the year 2021, another of Beal’s bottles was dug up by researchers. Our job is simply to sow the gospel-that is, tell others about Jesus: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation (16:15 esv). As we spread the Good News, it’s not up to us which seeds will survive. He taught that some seeds are snatched by Satan, others have no foundation and don’t take root, and yet others are hampered by the life around them and are choked out (vv. Jesus talked a lot about seed-planting, often likening the sowing of seed to the spreading of “the word” (Mark 4:15). Every twenty years a bottle would be dug up, its seeds would be planted, and researchers could see which seeds would germinate. What they didn’t know was that Beal was conducting an experiment that would span centuries. They’d see him filling bottles with seeds, then burying them in deep soil. In 1879, people watching William Beal would likely think he was loony. Have you left your light on? As Jesus shines through you today, others may see and begin radiating His light too. In a weary and dark world, His light always remains on. And as we leave our lights on, others will feel welcomed to come to us to learn more about the one true Light of the world-Jesus (John 8:12).
As believers, we’re to illuminate a dark world.Īs He directs and empowers us, “they may see good deeds and glorify Father in heaven” (v. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). He told His followers, “You are the light of the world.
Jesus says the life of believers in Him should resemble that of a welcoming light. The light invites those passing by to come on in and escape from the dark, weary journey. The commercial ended with the phrase, “We’ll leave the light on for you.”Ī porch light is akin to a welcome sign, reminding weary travelers that there’s a comfortable place still open where they can stop and rest. The bulb cast enough illumination for a visitor to walk up the steps and enter the building. The only light in the scene came from a small lamp near the door on the porch of the building. A hotel chain’s commercial featured one little building standing amidst a dark night.
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