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Editorials
for Autumn 2006

Fishermen…or Aquarium Keepers?

Editorial: Anne M. Faidley

Autumn 2006

Well, it’s that time again. The articles have been typed and edited. All the pictures have been scanned in. “Little Laughables” and “Birth Announcements” have been bounced from page 31 to 34 to 23 and finally ended up in the “next issue” folder. The difficult process of choosing a cover photo and verse is complete. The entire magazine has been checked by the Proofing Team (i.e. Mom, Laura, Hannah, and I, with occasional input from Nathan).

And that means the only thing remaining is my editorial. The past couple of days, Laura has arrived home from freshman orientation and asked, “So how’s the magazine coming? Have you finished your editorial yet?”

My response was something very intelligent like, “Uh…I’m working on it.”

In case you haven’t guessed by now, I tend to procrastinate on writing that until the last minute. Partly because when my head so full of lovely fonts and graphics and the myriad of ways to arrange them, I can’t sit down and concentrate enough to write. But also because I don’t like to write. Yes, that’s right. My secret is out. I love to read…love to edit…love working with words and ideas. But I struggle when it comes to writing.

So I sit here, pondering what I should say. Wondering how I should best use this space. Remembering what God has been teaching me. When I consider Jesus’ working in our lives, I am simply speechless. When I sit back and take stock of God’s grace, love, and provision, I don’t even have words to describe it. Like one song says…

Where, where do I begin?

How do I say what’s on my heart

with paper and a pen?

How, how can I describe

The God of all the universe

and make it rhyme?

I just wonder if it’s worth

Painting You with so few words.1

In Bangladesh, Pastor Stephen Mir was shot in the face by radical Muslims...

Yubelina, an Indonesian woman, was severely burned when fleeing attackers...

Nvoe was badly injured and lost her unborn child in an attack by radical Muslims...

Rinsda is daily mocked at school for believing in Christianity—an “evil cult...”

Ima’s father savagely beat her when he learned that she was a Christian...2

Wow! Do those short snippets grab your attention? They certainly did mine. This week, as I was writing down various editorial ideas and scrapping them and writing down more ideas and scrapping them, Voice of the Martyr’s monthly newsletter came in the mail. Though I leafed through the publication quickly between stirring chili, washing dishes and planning the next morning’s breakfast, the stories stuck with me. And challenged me to reconsider my own life.

Sure…it’s easy to sing “Stand up, stand up for Jesus” or “I am not ashamed to lift us Your holy name” on Sunday morning when we gather to worship with fellow Christians. But what about the rest of the week? What about at school or work or Wal-mart? So often we are afraid to own the name of Jesus...afraid of what people will say...afraid of what they will think.

Lynchburg, the city about 25 minutes from where we live, is home to a number of colleges. Recently, the prayer group Laura and I are a part of has begun praying every Sunday night—praying for new and returning students and opportunities to reach out to them. Last Sunday night, Jeremy, our group leader, pointed out that it is so easy to stay in our comfort zones and never reach out to the world. Most of us have been raised in Christian homes. We have our comfortable church and our wonderful Christian friends and our fun Christian activities. We’re constantly surrounded by Christian people and influences. In short, “too many Christians are no longer fishers of men but keepers of the aquarium.”3

“But I’m not a missionary. I don’t have time. I have school, my family, a job, friends…you know…‘life.’  ” That’s okay. You don’t have to go to Africa or China. There are lost people, hurting people…people that Jesus loves right in your own neighborhood and town. “Jesus wants us to see that the neighbor next door or the people sitting next to us on a plane or in a classroom are not interruptions to our schedule. They are there by divine appointment. Jesus wants us to see their needs, their loneliness, their longings, and He wants to give us the courage to reach out to them.”4 Who else will they hear it from? Who else but Jesus’ followers will show them true, unconditional Christ-like love?

“Not by might or by power, but by My Spirit.”5 We can love them, we can meet their needs, we can tell them the truth of God’s forgiveness and grace. But we cannot save them or change their hearts. Only God can do that. We must be willing to be empty vessels used by God. Be open to the leading of His Spirit. Speak of His love faithfully. Tell His truth with grace. And leave the results in His hands.

And when they say, “You’re such a good babysitter. You’ve never mean to us, even though…sometimes…we’ve been kinda mean to you,” or ask, “How can you love and forgive that person, after they have acted so horribly?” or observe, “You’re always so happy be falling apart”, you have a golden opportunity to share Jesus’ love and truth. With the rambunctious yet loveable second-grader. With the disillusioned Christian who was wounded by hypocrisy and legalism in her church. With the college professor who doesn’t even believe in God.

So don’t stop praying. Don’t stop loving. Don’t stop speaking of Jesus’ love and faithfulness.

Let His love shine in your smile...speak in your voice...be evident in all you do.

Notes: 1"Something About You” by Mercy Me. 2Voice of the Martyrs September newsletter. 3Paul Harvey. 4Rebecca Manley Pippert. 5Zech. 4:5.

A Blade of Grass…And My Dying Laptop

Editorial: Laura E. Faidley

Autumn 2006

It had been a particularly difficult day…you know the kind I’m speaking of. Nothing went right. I woke up late, only to remember I needed to shower and iron my clothes (that is…if I could find that shirt I wanted to wear!) before leaving for my job as a nanny. Of course, that meant I left with wet hair, and later than I should have. As I drove along, I glanced at the fuel gauge and realized I was on E, which resulted in a quick stop at the nearest gas station. Miraculously, I turned (or flew!) into the driveway right at 9:00, but Cooper (7) authoritatively declared from the front porch, “You were driving too fast!”

Later, after successfully finishing the children’s schoolwork (no, I didn’t pull out all my hair), we headed for the pool. Things were going just fine until…shrieking, screaming, and crying! BG (5) got stung by a bee, which was a trauma. Just as we were all “recovering” from that incident, BG’s friend, three-year-old Owen, slipped off the diving board and smashed his head on the concrete. Soon he and his mom were heading to the ER. So much for that new shirt—it was now covered with tiny red stains, thanks to the raspberry slushies the boys and I made after swimming.

Added to that, I made a trip across town, only to discover the item I needed was out of stock. (So much for saving on gas!) On the drive home, a huge thunderstorm set in, and my windshield wipers couldn’t keep up with the pounding sheets of rain. With the torrents of rain, my morale fell as I recalled opportunities to reach out to people God had brought into my life…and how some of them had slipped by as I, so busy with my all-important “To Do List,” did not heed God’s Spirit.

Oh God, I’ve let you down.

Well, I arrived home to some very discouraging news, a less than neat house, and a sick sibling…and that was the last straw. I was at the end of my rope. Throughout the evening, I grew more and more depressed. In the end, I found myself sitting out in our horse pasture in the twilight of dusk trying to sort things out. Through tear-filled eyes and sobbing breaths, I cried out to God.

Why? Oh, Jesus, please help me, I prayed desperately. I began pouring my heart out to God, recounting to my Savior the trials of my day.

I just can’t go on like this. I can’t do this. Oh, Jesus, please help me.

A picture came into my mind of a dark and ominous storm—the clouds covering the entire sky. But amidst the blackness was one tiny sliver of light—a single ray of sunlight penetrated the clouds.

Jesus, give me one little ray of hope— some good news, some sign of your love.

I felt so helpless, so alone. And from heaven, all I sensed was silence. I lay back on the ground, trying to wipe away the tears. Then my fingers closed around a single blade of grass. And in that moment, God stepped out of heaven and into my world.

I made this small slip of grass, and I care for it .I made every living thing. And I sustain and provide for them—the small and the great.

It was then that I remembered the sun—how something like one square foot from the sun’s core contains more energy than we humans have ever created in all of history combined. And it blew my mind.

I am that same God, and I will take care of you. I am taking care of you.

But Lord, it seems like my life is just falling apart.

Step back and see.

Mental shift…big time. Okay, so I started making a running list of what I did have to be grateful for: salvation, my relationship with Jesus, God’s word, health, a loving mother, brothers and sisters (even if they do irritate me sometimes!), food, a home in the country,  a good job, a car, the opportunity and means to continue my education, an awesome church, godly friends who care about me, the spectacular mountainous view from where I sat, the very air I was breathing! But when was the last time I’d stopped to notice and thank God for it?

I realized that I’d been so busy doing my thing, even actually “doing it all for God”, that I’d forgotten to continually cultivate my relationship with Jesus. Without the cord of my life being plugged into the power source of God, my life is no better than my laptop. As I was typing this just now, a warning message popped up stating that the battery was nearly dead, and that I should plug in to power immediately or I would lose everything! I think that’s what happened to my life. Somewhere in the break-neck speed of running about and accomplishing important things, the connection between me and God was “knocked loose”—put aside as I pursued other “good” things. But without an eternal motivation behind all I do, I soon go “dead.”

I don’t even want to think about when the last time was that I set aside everything else and just spent time with Jesus, for no other reason than to simply adore Him for who He is. That’s what I’ve been missing. Without that connection to God, not just prayer at mealtimes or before bed, but a moment by moment continual conversation with Jesus, I’d lost my focus and my eternal perspective. Tonight I picked up a book and it opened to these words, “We will never truly know that our God is all we need until He is all we have to hold on to.”1

Do you see how everything goes wrong when we lose touch with Jesus? If He is the Beginning and the End—the source of Life—any existence without Him as King cannot be called really living. When I do not cultivate my relationship with Jesus and stay in His Word, I become self-centered, instead of thinking how I can help others. I become cowardly, instead of stepping out in faith to obey what Jesus says. I base my self-esteem on what others think of me. I find my happiness in possessions, status, and earthly relationships, and when one of those falls through, I am crushed. I ride the waves of my emotions, instead of remembering that God is real, no matter now I feel. I try to rule my life, and then get upset when things don’t go as I planned.

“I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not His own; it is not for man to direct his steps.”2 How much easier would it be just to give everything over to God once again? After all, if He created and sustains everything… from that blade of grass to the blazing sun, can’t He take care of me better than I can take care of myself? Maybe the safest place really is in His arms. Maybe even though it’s not always my favorite thing, total surrender is the only path to finding Christ and discovering real satisfaction, joy, and excitement. Maybe the greatest adventure is not to pursue my own dreams and try to solve my own problems, but instead, to give every single thing—every plan and dream, problem and unsurpassable mountain to God and with anticipation (and a little bit of fear!), watch to see what God will do next through me. “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.”3

This year has been a huge growing up time for me. Each step of the way, I’m learning to trust God completely and seek His will. In June, I graduated from home school high school and I have worked this summer as a nanny to two sweet and energetic boys. In only a few weeks, I will be starting classes at a local Christian college. As I was on campus purchasing my textbooks earlier this week, I just had to step back and stand in awe of how Jesus has directed and provided every step of the way. A year ago, if someone were to ask me what I was doing after graduation, I would have said, “I don’t know yet, but I’m seeking God’s will.” Well, to tell you the truth, I don’t have it all figured out now either, but I think that’s a good thing. If I knew every detail of my future life, there wouldn’t be much need for a connection with Jesus, would there? You see, I didn’t end up on campus buying books because of a blinding light from heaven and God’s voice booming down, “This is your life, Laura. You will go to ____. You will study ____. Afterwards, you will do ___.”

After praying for God to reveal His will for me, studying His Word, and getting counsel from family and friends, there has come to be an gradual knowing within me as all the doors shut but one, and an overwhelming peace as a seemingly impossible obstacle was removed from my path. No, I don’t have all the answers or know what all the future holds, but I’m excited about fulfilling God’s plan for my life with passion. My graduation verse was from Psalm 71: “For You have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. My mouth is filled with Your praise, declaring Your splendor all day long.”4 I want that to be the cry of my heart!

After all, I think my laptop had one thing right. We weren’t made to exist on our own, in our own hope and confidence, and when we try to, we go “dead”. “For in Him we live and move and have our being.”5 When I think about it, life is not nearly as complex as we’ve made it. Life starts with God, and without God, we can accomplish nothing. That’s what I found out today. So I’m running back to Jesus. Crying out to Him to consume me with Himself. And I know I can rest in the assurance that He is good, all the time, and He will take care of me…just like that little blade of grass.

Notes: 1from His Princess by Sheri Rose Shepherd. 2Jer. 10:23. 3Ps. 55:22. 4Ps. 71:5,8. 5Acts 17:28. All reference niv.