This morning I am reminded for the millionth time that I live in a world that is not fair. I would even say we live in a world that excels in being unfair and unjust: poverty, shootings, terrorism, accidents, disease, racism, chronic pain... However, I know One who's throne is founded upon righteousness and justice. In Him I have put my trust and in Him I have placed my hope. He is the One who who announced His earthly ministry with these powerful words from Isaiah 61: 

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor...

Does it mean that all the junk we face is God's goodness towards us? No. It DOES mean that God goes out of His way to work every awful situation for our good. It's His promise. So, today as my news feed reminds me of of how unfair this world is, I am encouraged that the Lord is GOOD and His love endures forever. And He will go out of His way to demonstrate His goodness towards me. And you.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

A Widow's Pennies & My Talents

Remember the widow in the Bible who gave her last two mites (pennies) to the temple treasury? Remember how it captivated Jesus’ heart that she, in her absolute poverty, gave all she had? And how she had given more from heaven’s perspective as opposed to those that gave out of their wealth?

For a long time now I have been convinced that the Lord does not necessarily hear just our music when we sing. He is listening to the worship of our heart. In fact Jesus shared with the woman in Samaria that the Father is looking for those that will worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4). So, it’s possible to be a “3 chord” guitarist but a profoundly powerful worshipper! What our worship sounds like in heaven is way different than what we think it sounds like on our end.

I feel like the Lord wants to encourage us today to offer up to Him our gifts and talents, especially the ones we feel are super average or mediocre at best. You and I may not feel all that great about our voice, art, guitar, writing, speaking, piano, hospitality, administration, baking, athleticism, etc. and because of that, we never offer it up to the Lord in worship. However, our “mite” of a talent, when offered to the Lord, captivates His heart EVERY time. And from what I’ve read about our wonderful Father, when we’re faithful with the little, He has a way of giving us more and more and more and more....

Mark 21:41 - 44
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”