Month: June 2026

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

⁃Romans 8:18

Summer’s coming and it’s time to plan a trip out of town. A not so fun doctor’s appointment is scheduled for tomorrow. Will it rain later or will the sun stay out? 

We don’t know what the future holds, so all we can do is imagine what might actually take place. Within this, we naturally build anticipation. Anticipation stems from being aware of future possibilities, preparing for them and the possible outcomes. 

Anticipation is a big part of our life. Since it’s a natural reaction to what and how we believe the future will unfold, we can naturally dedicate a lot of time to it. From anticipating what will come later in the day, to anticipating those things that might take place years from now, we cannot help but think about all the what if’s.

Anticipation is a two edged sword. It stirs all sorts of emotions in our life. Our anticipation can cause us to worry, fret and dread if uncertainty or a negative aspect of life seems unavoidable. On the other hand, we can become excited, even consumed as we anticipate a vacation, holiday or times with those we love. Many times our expectations are based on previous experiences and outcomes. Unfortunately, anticipation can cause us to react without thinking things all the way through. Many times when the anticipation gets too overwhelming, we can attempt to make things happen sooner than they probably should. 

God understands the effects of anticipation on our life. He also knows that in this world, we will have hardship, agony and trials. We will also have elation, happiness and bliss. The reality is, be it a positive or negative expectation, both can cause us to take our eyes off of the Lord. 

That’s why His Scriptures are filled with encouragement to set our minds and hearts on the only One who is above all things. The writers of the New Testament continually reassured their readers of the unbound reality of what is to come. No matter what life throws at us or seemingly gifts us, an eternal perspective grants us a stability and steadfastness to which nothing else can compare. Consider James’ words in James 1:12, Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him. Even though life comes at us at a hundred miles an hour, we are blessed when we stay anchored to the Rock of our Salvation, knowing that the Lord will never leave us or forsake us. 

Our faith should lead us to the greatest anticipation one can have. To be with Christ for eternity. If anticipation is affected by past experiences, then it is those very experiences we have had and are having with God, that builds our anticipation of all the glorious things to come to those who walk with and serve the Lord. In Romans 15:13, Paul admonishes the reader when he writes, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 

How often is our anticipation built in hope? Only the promise of Jesus brings hope into our life. So if you have been distracted by anticipating all those great things that this world might provide or your anticipation is bringing on anxiety, maybe it’s time to just take a breath, reflect on Christ and consider the great joy that is before us in Christ our Lord.

 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

– Galatians 1:10

Let’s be honest, keeping your yard looking nice takes a lot of time and effort. In many places, the desired look that people are after runs contrary to the environment they live in. For example, should those living in a more arid or desert area really set an expectation of having a lush green lawn? Or are there better options, more natural options that that particular environment would better sustain? The problem has become one of general influence. Because a standard has been established as to how a homeowner’s yard should look, the majority of people attempt to live up to that standard without even questioning the reasons why. The issue arises when the wants, needs and practicality of a homeowner is replaced by the fear of having the worst looking property in the subdivision. 

Now there is no doubt that yard work and landscaping is a hobby to some. They take great pride in how their lush green grass compliments the meticulously groomed flowers and shrubs they have carefully selected based on colors and shapes. Landscaping rock and brick is laid out in a manner that accentuates and draws in the onlooker. Trees are carefully and systematically planted in spots to add a vertical contrast. And weekly, sometimes even daily, there is a required manicuring and maintenance process. These properties are nice to look at, but unfortunately set false standards within that neighborhood. However inadvertently this standard has been set, it becomes a very overt, green, insurmountable standard.

We can liken this standard to a form of adult peer pressure. Instead of enjoying the process and fulfillment of a “nice” yard, the burden of keeping up with the neighbors becomes a heavy duty many are unable to satisfy.  

    

This is similar to what can happen in churches. Within our faith, we need to have a solid understanding of God’s Word and who we are in Christ. This establishes our identity as a believer. As silly as relating yard maintenance to adult peer pressure is, Christian peer pressure is a dangerous reality. 

Asking questions needs to be a normal and integral part of our faith. What do I believe and why do I believe it are two of the core questions we need to ask ourselves. We also need to come to a defined and genuine answer to these questions. Too many people align themselves with Christianity simply because in the past there has been a Christian standard. In a more personal aspect, family and friends can greatly influence our idea of Christian identity. There are some who identify as Christian simply because they don’t identify with anything else. There might be a knowledge of who Jesus is and a Bible in the house, but actually following Jesus is abstract and absent. 

Christian peer pressure may influence the desire for a faith description, but there is a defined lack of dedication. Anytime a relationship with Christ is built on anything other than Christ Himself, it produces a false reality of who Christ actually is.

Even the dedicated Christian can easily fall victim to peer pressure. Unfortunately in many churches, good people and good pastors have established a perceived standard of how a Christian should look, talk and act. If not careful, we then begin to measure ourselves against this standard and not the standard of Christ. Why we look, talk and act differently from the world has to be because of the power and fruit of the Holy Spirit in us rather than a man-made standard set before us. 

 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

– Colossians 3:23-24

So often in life we react and all too often, it is in an impulse way. Let’s face it, life throws a lot at us in rapid order and sometimes we feel like there is no time to think about it. So we react. Yet many times, if we are being honest with ourselves, we do have the ability to think things through, to ponder upon our response, our choices and their potential outcomes. Even if it’s only for a few minutes. 

The results when we leap before we look are unpredictable and uncertain. Unfortunately for many today, this has become a way of life. Simply reacting, bouncing from one questionable act to the next, driven by an emotional response that undoubtedly digs the hole a few feet deeper. 

Inherently we then wonder how we have come to such a place as the dilemma stares back at us. It is easy in these times to become a victim of circumstance. But are we really? Or did we react when we should have reflected?

Is this really how we are meant to be living our life? Is this how God created us to be? And how does this reconcile the abundant life Jesus talks about having in our life?

Becoming a follower of Christ does not mean putting your brain on auto pilot. It’s actually quite the opposite. We are told to take every thought captive. That’s our part. Submitting our thoughts to Christ opens us up to the availability of the Holy Spirit. This is not only in the hard times and the times of temptation, but in every choice and decision we are faced with.

When our choices and our decisions are guided by the Holy Spirit, everything we do, we do with the Lord in mind. Though Colossians 3:23 and 24 can seem like a daunting task, this yielding does in fact allow us to do whatever we do, heartily, as we are working for the Lord and not for men or ourselves. Liberation comes within the Lordship of Christ, destroying the captive bonds of this world. 

There is an old adage that in principle may make some sense, but in practice application falls apart quickly in our day and age. When we face a difficult situation or task, we say, it is like looking for a needle in a haystack. 

If we were to actually look for a needle in a haystack, that’s just not a good strategy. It’s a waste of time and effort. In our lives, we are each given a certain amount of time and ability on this earth. As believers, we are to steward all resources given to us by God. This includes our time and effort. 

To be a good steward takes deep insight and constant evaluation, not simple reaction. In the presence of the Holy Spirit, we begin to recognize His wisdom and discernment as it pertains to our stewardship.

One of the most difficult challenges we face in our life is evaluating our own effectiveness for the Kingdom. When presented with those God given opportunities, if we are not sensitive to the Holy Spirit, we can simply react and miss them. We justify away why the opportunity is not important or relevant because we have not taken the time to think about the potential impact in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

It’s hard to overcome our propensity to react because the need for change is always a looming reality. However, until we get to this point, we will continue to suffer with living out Colossians 3:23 and 24.