EPHESIANS 5:15-16; PSALM 90 “Westerners have watches. The Africans have time. In his book Impossible People, Os Guinness made this statement, using an African adage. That made me think about the occasions when I said, “I don’t have time,” in response to a request. I considered how schedules and deadlines control my life and the tyranny … [Read more…]
LUKE 18:35–43 Many years back, a fellow traveller saw that I was straining to see distant objects. His next action was straightforward yet transformative. “Try these,” he said after removing his glasses. I was surprised to see that my blurry vision improved when I put on his spectacles. I eventually saw an optometrist, who gave … [Read more…]
JOB 2:7–13 A mom found her daughter muddy after school. She said her friend had slipped and fallen into a mud puddle, hurting her leg. Feeling sorry for her friend, the daughter sat in the puddle with her friend until a teacher arrived. Job, devastated by the loss of his children and suffering from painful sores, … [Read more…]
JOHN 14:23–31 The first time Mark visited the Chora Church in Istanbul, he learnt some Bible stories from the Byzantine frescos and mosaics. However, he missed some details. A guide helped him understand these details, making everything clear. For instance, the first aisle depicts Jesus’ life as recorded in the gospel of Luke. Jesus’ followers were … [Read more…]
PSALM 46 My friend and I sat in the sand near the waters, watching waves curl and ripple. He expressed his love for the waters that keep moving without him changing position. Many people struggle to stop their efforts, fearing that halting them will lead to a loss of self or expose them to the constant … [Read more…]
ACTS 2:1–12, 42–47 Maya, the five-year-old daughter of my friend David, approaches playtime in a unique way. She enjoys creating new communities by combining dolls from various playsets. In her imagination, everything is part of the whole. Her people are these. Despite their diverse sizes and forms, she feels that they are happiest when they are together. … [Read more…]
ISAIAH 33:17-22 Amy Carmichael, a renowned orphanage worker in India, experienced “moments of vision” during her work, as described in her book Gold by Moonlight, where she could see the vast land of far distances while standing still on the road. Isaiah, the prophet, predicted a time when God’s rebellious people would return to Him, viewing … [Read more…]
LUKE 6:27–36 Ruby Bridges, a six-year-old African American, was the first child in the American South to integrate an all-white public school in 1960. She was safely registered with Barbara Henry, the only teacher willing to teach her, in spite of threats and insults from angry parents. Child psychiatrist Robert Coles helped Ruby cope with fear and … [Read more…]
JAMES 3:1-12 It was more complicated than just crossing another river. No Roman general had the right by law to command military forces into Rome. Julius Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon River in 49 BC with his Thirteenth Legion into Italy was therefore treasonable. Caesar’s decision had a long-lasting impact and led to years of … [Read more…]
EPHESIANS 2:1–10 Lygon Stevens was a mountain climber, as was her brother Nick. An avalanche carried them off a mountain, killing Lygon and wounding Nick. Nick came upon Lygon’s journal, which was chock-full of prayers, reflections, and thanksgiving. She wrote in her journal that she was a piece of art that God had signed. Despite her … [Read more…]
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