Spirituality – A Walk in the Garden

Is that a Pickle on My Burger?

There is nothing better than a grilled, juicy burger. And since I don’t eat them often, I was really looking forward to burger night at this local grill. It was past 7 pm and we were starving; so, when our burgers arrived at the table, I sunk my teeth in quickly. Sadly, it took all of two seconds for me to realize something was off. Ugh…pickles! I recognized their bitter taste immediately.

I always request they be left off and was certain the waiter had heard me. I don’t even want to see a pickle on my plate for fear the juice would seep into the fries or bun. I love when someone suggests, “Just pick it off.” Pickle lovers don’t realize that it’s too late. The acidic juices have already had time to soak into both burger and bun. The vinegary residue ruins the whole thing. I picked them off because I was famished, even though the bitter taste had already pierced my palate.

Isn’t it amazing how a tiny spec of vinegariness can pervade and spoil the entire meal? Following that thought, the smallest amount of bitterness or resentment can permeate our hearts and affect our inner peace. So, as I pondered a weekly Bible study question, “What impedes your happiness?” I remembered the pickles. While it was the sliced dills that ruined my dinner, the study asserts that happiness depends on a Who, rather than a what. And that happy people are at total peace with God. Consequently, whatever disrupts our peace, impacts our relationship with Him – our absolute source of happiness.

Hebrews 12:15 warns that “no bitter root spring up to cause trouble.” Bitterness or anger is a sin, and sin always separates us from God. So, what bitter root could be hiding within me? My life hasn’t turned out exactly the way I had planned. I’m not sure that anyone really does. I think we all have things we regret or wish for a do-over. People will wrong you. They will make promises they can’t or won’t keep. They will lie and mislead you, and they will hurt you. This has happened to me, multiple times, as I’m sure it has with others. Have you ever been told, “What goes around, comes around,” and then you honestly watch and wait to see it happen? You want to see them “get theirs” as some sort of consolation prize for your pain. That, my friends, is bitterness. It’s the pickle to my heart.

The key to unlocking bitterness is forgiveness. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew, Chapter 5 contains the entire list of Beatitudes or Christ-like attitudes we should strive to emulate. Merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers to name a few. So, instead of keeping a list of “wrongs” running in the background, we are to focus on the list of “rights.” To believe and become more like Christ and leave the rest to God. This does not mean to count on the “vengeance is mine, says the Lord” verse, but rather surrender your hurts to Him. Blessed are those that mourn, for they will be comforted.

Picking the pickles off my burger seems melodramatic compared to the task of total forgiveness. To let go of all the wrongs, each and every one of them, and not worry what happens to the so-called offender. To show mercy and wish them well. It will be like taking a big eraser to my heart. To wipe the pickle juice off my plate and move on. Peace will come as I learn to let go and focus solely on the truly good things in my life. I am blessed, for they are many.

Hebrews 12:15 – Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many.

Matthew 5: 3-10 – 3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. ⁵Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. ⁶Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. ⁷Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. ⁸Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. ⁹Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. ¹⁰Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Dark Side

Yesterday, May the Fourth, was unofficially Star Wars Day. Naturally, we watched an episode of Star Wars. The Empire Strikes Back: Episode V is ranked first in the hierarchy of the franchise. In this episode, Luke Skywalker travels to Dagobah to commence his Jedi training with Master Yoda and learn more about the power of the force.

As Yoda mentors young Skywalker, he strongly warns against the evil dark side of the force: “But beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.” Yoda is preparing him to survive an encounter with the dark side. I’ve seen this movie countless times, however, this warning about being seduced into the darkness kept lingering in my mind. Today’s world is filled with news reports of some incredibly angry people, consumed by hatred.

What does it say about a society when a young teenage girl is viciously attacked for her choice of a prom dress? This poor child (yes child) was out having fun with her friends, and I don’t believe meant anyone harm. She simply posted a picture of her and her prom date to social media and the haters began to brutally shower her with their venom. She was labeled “racist” by complete strangers who didn’t even know her. I doubt they cared to since the battle is what they seem to enjoy. As Yoda would say, “Anger, fear, aggression…quick to join a fight.” This is merely one example of a societal trend that is puzzling, even worse, troubling, and frightening. The response to judgment is swift, and the desire to obliterate the perceived opposition is fierce and cruel.

I remember going through a phase in high school when my friends and I began wearing farmer’s overalls. Actual men’s denim overalls picked off the shelves of my grandpa’s general store, right next to the seedbox. Did we offend any of the farmers around town by wearing them? I highly doubt it. If anything, they most likely shook their heads and said, “Those goofy girls.” Or rolled their eyes to the tune of “teenagers.” That was a vastly different time when people “let kids be kids,” as long as they weren’t breaking any laws.

As Christians, we are taught to love and encourage one another, to turn the other cheek, and are often warned about the power of the tongue. James writes in 3:5-6: “The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue is also fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.” Sometimes I feel as if this world is on fire. There is an intense rage within some people. A bitterness that reflects the very essence of the dark side. My prayers are constant for us, as a nation and a world, to have peace with one another.

In Episode V, Luke faces an internal struggle between the lure of the dark side and the light of the force. After learning the true fate of his father, Luke is tempted multiple times and even enticed to join forces “to rule the universe as Father and Son.” Fortunately, Luke remains confident it is good in his father. Yes, I know it’s merely a story; yet, the spiritual battle we face, as believers, has become more evident. The conflicting sides are becoming more distinct.

I pray to see the Light alive in our world. I know Christ is moving to illuminate the darkness. To bring peace where there is aggression, love where there is hate, and a sense of calm when fear begins to creep into our hearts. Remember, God is ultimately in control; the outcome has already been decided. Choose your side wisely. Pray for peace and restoration.

Romans 15:5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It’s a Spiritual Thing

In September 2013, I began working for a small start-up in the real estate investment industry. I discovered business skills I never knew were in me, including the fact that I could make real money-for my company and myself.

For the past five years, I’ve traveled across the country, attending one industry event after another, meeting hundreds of new people – all networking and dealmaking. There is so much money in this industry, which also means these conferences offer perks of a job I’d never experienced. We stay in the best hotels, eat fabulous food, and the networking parties are very grand- sometimes over the top. Traveling to these “shows,” as we call them, is a whirlwind of activity and it would be easy for someone to get lost in it all, which is why I stick close to my fellow believers.

I am spiritually drawn to other Christians and can sense the Holy Spirit inside. It makes sense when you think about it since this is where Christ dwells. No one has to announce, “I’m a Christian.” We have this underlying ability to just know; Christ’s words and thoughts naturally become our own and help us to connect.

Paul writes in Romans about the Spirit dwelling in us, and that if it does not, then we don’t belong to Christ. I am in awe that God has designed us to have this sense of discernment. The Spirit of Christ is so great and so vast, and I am grateful for his infinite ability to connect me with fellow believers, from coast-to-coast.

Romans 8:9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.