Focus on Jesus and others, not the mirror

My interest in prayer and how to pray keeps growing. The Bible has lots to say on the topic. This passage is familiar and one that I often quote because I often hear people talking about politics. It encourages us that rather than talk (or complain) we need to pray for our political leaders.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1–4)

These verses are strong. Four types of prayers are listed, covering everything from thanksgiving to earnest pleas, with thanksgiving often the most challenging! They also give good reason for praying. God is pleased when I pray because it indicates I am trusting Him to rule the affairs of life, not the politicians. These words also link prayer with living a peaceful, quiet life and with people knowing the truth and being saved. No amount of talk (or complaining) about the government or political leaders will do that but prayer can!

However, I notice something else about prayer just a few verses later . . .

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. (1 Timothy 2:8–10)

Because this leads into a controversial section on the role of women, this part could easily be ignored. Since I’m reading devotionally, I have not checked commentaries, etc. but am listening. The Holy Spirit seems to be linking a couple of thoughts.

First, the men are to pray with godly hands lifted — indicating a reliance on God, but without any anger or disputes in their lives. They are to be at peace with one another when they go to prayer.

Likewise, the women are also to pray like that, with one further addition. Oddly, it is about how we dress and do our hair. What does that have to do with prayer? Well, it can interfere with it, even with getting answers.

I don’t know about other women, but it seems to me there is a tendency in my own heart to compare my “Sunday best” with the appearance of others. I notice what they are wearing and if they look good. In our congregation, several women of a certain culture dress in vivid colors and patterns and have ornately braided hair. They are amazing in appearance. It would be easy to fall into a comparison attitude if my value system put my clothes and hair style high on the list.

These verses link prayer with being respectable, modesty and self-control contrasting it with a desire to have fancy hairdos, jewelry, and expensive clothing. Interesting. It suggests that when a woman prays, she must have the attitude that being dressed to the nines is not important. Appropriate is okay but not to draw attention to myself. I’m to be thinking of what I am doing and the needs of others, not what I look like in the mirror.

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Lord Jesus, I think I am okay with this but keeping a balance is not that easy. I want to look nice, but don’t want others pay attention to me because of how I look. I don’t want to go too far the other way and be noticed because I’m unkept or a messy distraction. You want me to be godly and my appearance to be adorned with goodness, good behavior and good activities that honor You. Help me remember these thoughts whenever temptations lure me to compare myself with those women who could be on the pages of a fashion magazine. This is not what being a Christian is all about, and from what these verses say, it would interfere with my prayers.

Today’s thankful list . . .

Energy to work hard today on a challenging to-do list.

Holiday break for my hubby.

Email that makes possible communication with distant relatives and friends.

An old but amazing sewing machine.

The last piece of peach pie.

Jesus cares for women

Modern Bible critics often attack Christian teaching for its ideas about the role of women. They point to the Scriptures as their evidence, usually the Old Testament. However, Jesus elevated women. He had women friends and supporters. Two of them are described in John’s Gospel:

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. (John 11:1–2)

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. (John 11:5–6)

Before describing what happened next, I cannot leave out the well-known account of Jesus and His disciples having lunch at Martha and Mary’s home. Luke’s Gospel describes how Mary sat at the Lord’s feet listening to Him;

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:40–42)

When this passage comes up in a Bible study for women, those gifted in serving often defend Martha. After all, someone had to make lunch. However, being busy in the kitchen was not the point; she was distracted by it and upset with her sister. Not only that, she was telling the One who created the universe what to do about it!

I’ve been in her situation. Something needs to be done and no one is doing it, so I get on my high horse and tell God to mobilize people, to do something. Or I jump in with both feet because I’m angry no one else is doing it — without asking the Lord first to make sure He wanted me to do it.

I’ve also been in Mary’s place, but not with a good attitude either. I see the women in the kitchen and think they are using the dirty dishes to avoid what is really important. Blah, blah, blah. This short story of lunch at M & M’s house has much to say to me . . . such as serving with anxiety is not the way to serve. It’s far better to first sit at His feet, find out what He wants done, then get to work. I am not His boss.

However, when their brother became ill, Martha’s faith is revealed:

So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” (John 11:20–27)

Martha had saving faith. She “tipped over” that day in the kitchen, but this time she focused on Jesus and His identity and powerful promises. John wanted his readers to know that.

Perhaps Luke wanted his readers to realize that even with faith, there are times when believers operate in the flesh. The evidence is obvious in our words and actions. I can be hard at doing something but resentful toward others for not helping me, and telling Jesus what to do instead of listening for Him to tell me what needs to be done.

Martha is a strong reminder that I can sometimes lapse into trusting my own ideas instead of paying attention to the teachings of Jesus. Mary chose to listen to Jesus during that situation, but that doesn’t mean she was a perfect saint. We all fail and even cause others to stumble, yet these women were graciously treated. Jesus was gentle with Martha and encouraged Mary. He is like that, and not at all against women.

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Jesus, in every situation You prove that You know my struggles and how to meet my needs. You speak to my heart when I sit at Your feet. When I tip over, You gently restore me. When I am confused or misunderstood, You clarify things. You are my champion when I think biblically and You gently poke me when I don’t. You are my Savior who never puts me down because I am a woman. Instead, You build me up and continually remind me of Your love and grace. I am a child of God, beloved forever and secure in Your care.

WWJD?

This morning, Tozer’s devotional says that Christianity is the religion of the divine example and bids his readers to “Ask yourself what would Jesus do if He were here?”

This echoes a book by that title, shortened to WWJD? This acronym was put on bracelets, t-shirts, etc. to remind Christians to ask themselves that question and govern their lives accordingly.

Personally, I’ve not found that question very helpful. I do pray for the Lord to guide me but have learned that I cannot predict what He will do; I’ve never been able to second-guess God. In other words, most of the time I’ve no idea what Jesus would do.

However, there are clues. The Bible tells the attitudes of Jesus. He is forgiving, loving, hates sin and so on. I’m supposed to think like He thinks. By that, I often can figure out what I should do based on His attitudes.

For instance, the following passage describes the heart of a Christian who loves Jesus and wants to do what He would do. It parallels an almost identical passage in Ephesians showing that these thoughts and behaviors are what I would be thinking and doing when filled with the Holy Spirit . . .

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:12–17)

Because of these verses, I can figure out what Jesus would do if another believer is in trouble, or has sinned, or is bragging, or is irritating. I can figure out what Jesus would do if someone is acting in ignorance or grumbling. I can also figure out what Jesus would do if I were given a ghastly chore or someone took advantage of me. Nearly every situation of conflict and other problems has an answer in the above passage.

Life poses other questions, however. Some are more vital than others. For instance, where should I work? What kind of coat should I buy? How often do I take a vacation? What should I have for supper? Some Christians would say we are to use common sense — even though that commodity is not as common as they suppose. Others say if you are not willfully sinning you can do whatever you want to do. I’m a bit leery of that too because my ‘I-wants’ can take me down a slippery slope.

Instead, I prefer the first choice of having the attitudes of Jesus Christ. These flow out of being filled with the Spirit and having His Word richly implanted in my head and heart. Knowing the power of sin, this is no guarantee that all choices will be perfect, yet He makes this promise:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)

Besides, thinking I know what Jesus would do can be spiritual pride, a form of trusting my own understanding. Far better to go to Him in humility that I haven’t a clue what to do but do know He will guide me. The outcome is usually a surprise — not contrary to His Word yet nevertheless an answer that I’d not have figured out on my own.

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Jesus, You tell me to follow You like a child takes the hand of her father having no clue where the path will lead but trusting that daddy knows best because he always does. I do not always need to know WWJD, only to humbly hold tight to Your faithful hand.