Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
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Masters of our Fates, Captain of our souls
“I am the Master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul.”
When Willam Henley wrote those words in “Invictus,” he was facing the possibility of amputation of his leg because of chronic tuberculous bone disease. His other leg had already been amputated. That defiant, powerfully stated declaration declared his fierce determination to fight the impending darkness of his suffering.
Stoicism and persistence are admirable qualities. We applaud those who stand tall with heads held high, seemingly unconquerable, in the face of adversity. Henley’s poem encourages us to do better, to be stronger, to live more positively, to be victorious over severe challenges.
Courageous determination should be commended, but the poem does raises questions. Are we really “Masters” of our fate? Realistically, we have little control over events and their outcomes. Regardless of how carefully planned or good-intentioned or defiant we are, there are too many forces which yank control from us. We have to aquiesce to the reality of circumstances, to things which shake our world and disorient us whether natural disasters, personal tragedies, character defects, or relational upheavals. We may be brave, but we cannot manipulate everything that happens.
However, we can make positive choices when dealing with adversity; perhaps that is what Henley meant. Unfortunately, we approach life from the position of personal brokenness, and our responses are not always healthy. If we are truely “Masters” of our fate and “Captains” of our souls, why are we so easily frustrated? Why do we succumb to fallible thinking? Why does our society struggle with such high levels of crippling anxiety and depression and devastating addictions , violence, anger, and rebelliousness, let alone the pain of guilt and shame produced by our attitudes and behaviors?
Self determination is an exhausting, unsustainable solution for the soul’s needs. The Psalmist’s worldview is different than Henley’s humanism. He directs us to God and the strength, hope, and joy found in His redemptive work on our behalf and the development of a healthy emotional and spiritual life based on a believing, trusting relationship with Him: “The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned” (Psalm 34).
Within that redemptive context, courage, moral strength, and eternal hope are attained by other than our good intentions, worthy efforts, positive thinking, or faithful religious activity. They are enabled by God Himself and the confidence found in reverencing God, who values, forgives, and redeems us because of His merciful grace and our personal faith.
It is true that we may weave and stumble our way through life as Frank Sinatra sang in “I did it My Way.” But we cannot set the terms of or commandeer control of the ultimate condition of our souls. We need help. The book of Hebrews specifically identifies Christ as the Captain of our salvation, the founder and Author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 2:10; 12:2).
Christ has made possible the best Way to live—forgiven and free. His perfect life, his atoning death, his hope filled ressurection, and his promised presence are all the resources necessary to have victory over the consequences of sins, the suffering that life brings our way, and the fear of death.
He is the Redeemer and the Master of our ultimate fate.
Masters of Our Fates…
“I am the Master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul.”
When Willam Henley wrote those words in “Invictus,” he was facing the possibility of amputation of his leg because of chronic tuberculous bone disease. His other leg had already been amputated. That defiant, powerfully stated declaration declared his fierce determination to fight the impending darkness of his suffering.
Stoicism and persistence are admirable qualities. We applaud those who stand tall with heads held high, seemingly unconquerable, in the face of adversity. Henley’s poem encourages us to do better, to be stronger, to live more positively, to be victorious over severe challenges.
Courageous determination should be commended, but the poem does raises questions. Are we really “Masters” of our fate? Realistically, we have little control over events and their outcomes. Regardless of how carefully planned or good-intentioned or defiant we are, there are too many forces which yank control from us. We have to aquiesce to the reality of circumstances, to things which shake our world and disorient us whether natural disasters, personal tragedies, character defects, or relational upheavals. We may be brave, but we cannot manipulate everything that happens.
However, we can make positive choices when dealing with adversity; perhaps that is what Henley meant. Unfortunately, we approach life from the position of personal brokenness, and our responses are not always healthy. If we are truely “Masters” of our fate and “Captains” of our souls, why are we so easily frustrated? Why do we succumb to fallible thinking? Why does our society struggle with such high levels of crippling anxiety and depression and devastating addictions , violence, anger, and rebelliousness, let alone the pain of guilt and shame produced by our attitudes and behaviors?
Self determination is an exhausting, unsustainable solution for the soul’s needs. The Psalmist’s worldview is different than Henley’s humanism. He directs us to God and the strength, hope, and joy found in His redemptive work on our behalf and the development of a healthy emotional and spiritual life based on a believing, trusting relationship with Him: “The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned” (Psalm 34).
Within that redemptive context, courage, moral strength, and eternal hope are attained by other than our good intentions, worthy efforts, positive thinking, or faithful religious activity. They are enabled by God Himself and the confidence found in reverencing God, who values, forgives, and redeems us because of His merciful grace and our personal faith.
It is true that we may weave and stumble our way through life as Frank Sinatra sang in “I did it My Way.” But we cannot set the terms of or commandeer control of the ultimate condition of our souls. We need help. The book of Hebrews specifically identifies Christ as the Captain of our salvation, the founder and Author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 2:10; 12:2).
Christ has made possible the best Way to live—forgiven and free. His perfect life, his atoning death, his hope filled ressurection, and his promised presence are all the resources necessary to have victory over the consequences of sins, the suffering that life brings our way, and the fear of death.
He is the Redeemer and the Master of our ultimate fate.
Miracles
A garden transforming from dormancy through renewal, growth, flowering, and fruitfulness is nothing short of a miracle. The unique shapes, colors, and time tables for each specific plant’s growth and blossoming add to this amazing progression…And garden pots remind me of Christ’s first recorded miracle.
Meeting the urgent need of an emerging wedding feast’s beverage crisis, Christ changed six ceremonial, stone pots of water into wine. That was how he did things. Circumstances changed instantaneously when he prayed, spoke, or touched! Physical, emotional, and spiritual needs were met. Renewal and healing were immediate. He short circuited natural processes. Time was bypassed.
Life was forever different for those who met and believed Jesus. Five loaves and two fish overflowed baskets with enough food for a horde of thousands! The paralyzed immediately stood, ran, danced! The sick were physically healed! Threatening winds and seas were becalmed! Dead bodies returned to life! More importantly, the unnoticed and marginalized were seen and heard. Emotional and spiritual healing came to those who believed and trusted in Christ’s power to intervene for their need. The mentally distraught became sane. The demon-possessed were released from uncontrollable forces. Sinners were forgiven and freed from the bondage of disordered lives. Thirsting, wandering, restless, empty, hungry souls looking for answers, meaning, and forgiveness were guided and filled. Weak and conflicted disciples became dedicated, confident warriors for God’s Kingdom.
Jesus is still in the business of changing lives. He understood the depth of our need for love, acceptance, forgiveness, and freedom from condemnation. So, he willingly and graciously paid a great price to redeem us with a transforming power that quenches our thirsting, hungry spirits, sustaining us with “living water” and “the bread of life.” An old hymn expresses the authority and power of Jesus with these words: “When Jesus comes the tempter’s pow’r is broken/When Jesus comes the tears are wiped away/He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory/For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.“
The Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians Church of Christ’s selflessness: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Through his humble, holy perfection and amazing grace and by our belief, he has taken our sin, shame, and guilt upon himself in order that we can be released from the condemnation that our enslaving addictions, moral weaknesses, and disordered thinking and behaviors deserve.
Jesus described faith to Nicodemus as an inner redemptive change by God’s Spirit. He spoke of being “ born again” by belief. (John3; 3:16) The Apostle Paul used the descriptives of “newness of life” and “a new creation” to explain this forgiven, redeemed, restored life divinely transformed by belief and a mindset with different priorities because of this changed inner life. Following Christ progressively forms one into the God-intended image meant for humanity to possess. But that path is a tortuous one filled with weaknesses and failures and cannot be achieved by personal concerted efforts alone.
Humanistic philosophies, attempts to attain personal divinity, performance of religious rituals, duties, and acts of penance, legalistic theories and behaviors, or acts of social justice do not make the cut. Jesus made it clear that redemptive changes are the result of Spirit empowered faith. Although most human endeavors for goodness recognize the need for harnessing our base natures and practicing kindness toward one another, they fall into the category of self righteous “filthy rags” according to the prophet Isaiah: “…all our righteous acts are as a filthy rag; and all of us wither like the leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind” (Isaiah 64:4). Those are tough words for people depending on their personal goodness for salvation.
The protective work of Christ at the cross provides the only holiness that God requires for one to stand in His presence. That is available to and imputed to all who will choose and cherish it.
Redemption and transformation! Miracles never cease! Especially when Jesus walks into one’s life.
Marred and Scarred but Beautiful!
Walking through the Schoodic Bog, one is reminded that our beautiful world is marred by nature’s disruptive and destructive whims. Similarly, the wonders and joys of our journeys are pockmarked with imperfections, disasters, and failures. Personal brokenness is universal.
Much of what arises from our human nature and earthly plight is not pleasant. We deal with the devastations of human greed, hatred, bias, and discord and are challenged by sadness, grief, disappointment and difficulties. Humanity groans for relief from poverty, famine, persecution, injustice, and war.
However, God promises to bring order to disorder, to make crooked paths straight, and to free those imprisoned by the bonds of sinful minds and behaviors. His sovereign plan for all creation is redemptive and restorative. The “Good News” is that beauty can rise from devastation; glory can be retrieved from dishonor; joy may shine through sorrow; and good will overcome evil.
Scripture reveals that those who trust Him will find rest for the weary, peace for the troubled, comfort for the hurting, healing for the wounded, forgiveness for the sinner, and confidence in a bright future for the believing because God is mercifully reconciling corrupted creation and rebellious humanity to Himself through Christ, who shines the truth of God’s love into our hearts and minds.
The Apostle John spoke of Jesus as “ The light (who) shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus actually claimed to be the “light of the world (John 1:4-5; 8:12). He elucidated our spiritual condition by living and showing us God’s love, glory, and purity and how we fall short of reflecting that glory and how our unrighteousness separates us from God. However, he bridged that dark, unholy gap by taking upon himself the wrath which our sins deserve when he died on the cross. He gives us the protection of his righteousness through our faith.
A life with Jesus is one of redemption. From the ashes of messy lives, he will heal and restore troubled spirits, taking one from brokenness to spiritual wholeness and to restoration to God by our repentance and belief (Mark 1:15). Even though the old, flawed nature still tugs at us, God gives us the beauty of Jesus as we increasingly learn what it means to live as His deeply loved children.
“He makes all things beautiful in His time” Ecclesiastes 3:11). Just as this bog reflects the mountain’s glory , we can reflect God’s.
The Greatest Freedom
On July 4th, 2026, the United States celebrated 250 years of independence from foreign tyranny. Since then, our nation has grown from 13 to 50 stars in our flag and has become a land of immense opportunity and a strong economic and military world power. We celebrate with full hearts as we stand on the shoulders of so many who have sacrifced to give us the precious privileges of liberty in a dangerous and oppressive world which still threatens the vision of what we want to be. It is a reminder that we have a sacred responsibility to honor those sacrifices and to guard freedom for future generations.
Even though our hearts are filled with gratitude, we admit that the ideal of achieving liberty for all is elusive and that our republic needs improvements to attain its purposes. That requires vigilance and thoughtful involvement in the democratic process. There are powerful detractors skulking about attempting to completely dismantle our social and civic structure and some of the values that have made us nationally strong e.g. the importance of family, free enterprise, the democratic process, the separation of powers, the exercise of individual religious freedoms, property rights, and free speech. Maintaining these freedoms has proven to be painfully costly, multifaceted and is still a process under scrutiny and development. We are imperfect people and thus an imperfect nation. As long as earth is populated, the tension between the desire for power and the quest for liberty will be a never ending struggle.
Therein lies the crux of the problem. We espouse lofty values but have to admit our efforts are tainted by selfishness: greed, dishonesty, hypocrisy, missteps, and injustices. Furthermore, we struggle with rapidly developing, overwhelming technologies and their negative consequences as well as unhealthy desires and agendas promoted by vapid influencers and powerful people and groups. Because our backgrounds, values, ideas, and beliefs are diverse, our concepts of freedom’s meaning, and the delineation of and the guardrails necessary to preserve it vary. Even our government officials have difficulty focusing on the common good. The village square is is no longer a place for civil debate but has become a virtual, bitter battleground of bullying and a place for condescending, one-sided arrogant, uncontrolled, unrefereed speach where differences devolve into bitterness and petty retaliations.We can only wonder if we will exist as a nation in another 250 years!
So, in spite of our attempts to be people of integrity, we are flawed and held in bondage by self’s destructive tyranny; because we can be unloving, proud, envious, jealous, and exhibit bad attitudes and behaviors, we are in desperate need of grace for each other and more importantly of God’s grace, His forgiveness and redemptive power to be changed.
Broadening the powers of an already inefficient, burdensome, intrusive government bureaucracy will never release us from the dictates of our selfish natures. We have never been and will never be absolved from accountability to ourselves or to others and ultimately to our Creator. When Adam and Eve rebelled against spiritual authority, they became enslaved by selfishness, by the consequences of their sin, and by death as they proudly pursued self-exultation rather than God’s ordained goodness for a healthy life.
The rise in unhappiness, unrest, dissatisfaction, depression, anxiety, feelings of isolation, and addictions springs from the deep spiritual need to find personal meaning and the purposes intended for us. Christ explained that that is loving God above all else and our neighbor as ourselves. If we could love that way, equality would prevail; the problems of poverty, racism, discrimination, divisions, injustices and delusional thinking would vanish. In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul exhorted his readers to be of “one” mind, the “same” mind, the “mind of Christ,” who gave up position and power to lovingly and willingly serve and die to redeem humanity. Our perspective should be that God has freely given all that is good to us; so we should live with a generous, humble spirit.
The great news is that true personal “freedom” is possible by a change in the human spirit. Christ knew that. He said that men needed a new birth, a change in their nature, and that those who followed him would know the Truth and be free (John 3; 8:31-32). He said, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice”(John 14:6 18:38). He explained who we are (sinners loved by God), why we are (to shine with God’s character), how we can become more of who we are created to be (listen and adhere to the principles designed by God) and that God’s love for us is all inclusive and does not depend upon our righteous performance.
We become children of God by faith, by belief in His provision for salvation and by submission to His will and providence (John 3:16-18). In his letter to the Church at Galatia, the Apostle Paul wrote this encouragement: “It is for freedom that Christ has set you free” (Galatians 5:1).
Chris Tomlin powerfully expressed this in the contemporary worship song “Amazing grace, My chains are gone.”
My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace
In repentance and by acceptance of Jesus’ deep love as redemptive, one is totally and graciously accepted by God, forgiven, liberated from the tyranny of self and evil, no longer burdened by trying to attain God’s love by performance, released from condemnation and the eternal consequences of sins, and empowered to be the person one is created to be as one grows in understanding of God’s intended purposes for human existence .
God frees all who choose to believe. Even if living under political or oppressive circumstances, one can live with a liberated spirit. This redemption is ultimate freedom. There is no greater! It is worthy of great celebration!
Distracted?
Like this gull who seems distracted from his beach foraging, most of us can relate to losing focus. We are often side tracked by extraneous thoughts, interruptions, or tasks which divert us from accomplishing our initial plans.
We have hearts hungry for meaning and purpose, but busy and demanding lives, the incessant bing of cell phones, and the lure of social media disrupt or delay our search. Bombarded with useless or inaccurate information, insipid influencers, appealing advertisements, diverse opinions, bitter politics, and the busyness of life, our more important priorities become skewed and relationships are preempted.
Despite the immense technological possibilities for making personal connections, we have become emotionally isolated. Since the advent of the iphone, being bodily present has nothing to do with being “present.” Looking “on line” for validation and instantaneous gratification, we lose the art of in-person interactions and more importantly the meaning of “end” goals. Intimacy and purpose lose out.
Scripture encourages one to live intentionally, to focus on and to pay attention to what is good for emotional and spiritual health with admonitions such as “Be sober,” or “Be viligant,” or “Consider,” or “Resist.” Christ taught his followers to pray daily for basic needs and to be kept from “temptation,” to be delivered “from evil,” and to ask for and give forgiveness. The Apostle Paul’s advice to the Ephesians reflected those concerns and ideals: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).
Undisciplined minds make us susceptible to forgetting what or who God intended us to be. Making the “best use of the time” in evil days is not just about productivity. We not only need clarity of thought and direction for daily activities but especially for our spiritual walk to be filled with wisdom from above, with corporate and personal worship, and with much gratitude: “…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” ( Ephesians 5:17-20). We are to regularly seek protection and deliverance.
Faithfully pondering God’s desire for our lives focuses our human story on its eternal dimensions. Adhering to His Word minimizes life’s distractions and allows Him to redeem and shepherd us. If we prioritize God as Jesus did, our souls will be nourished in green pastures and will walk beside still waters here and now; and someday, a dwelling place “ in the house of the Lord” will be ours “forever.” (Psalm 23)
That is worth paying attention to.
Never Failing!
Acadia Mountains, viewed from Hancock Pont
Spring is finally here! Nature’s consistency is wonderful! Every year we wobble our way around the sun. Seasons successively morph into each other but not by precise calendar dates. Dawn comes, and night falls but at different hours. Years come and go, but leap years happen, and the number of days in a year varies. The mountains remain on the horizon, but erosion gradually takes its toll. Tides flow to and fro on a shifting schedule. And lupine return every spring in assorted arrangements. So, within this constancy there are variations even if ever so slight and unnoticed. Scientists are discovering that predictable physical laws vary slightly in the way they function even though cosmic order persists. (That topic is way beyond my paygrade and is for those who understand quantum physics!)
Just as the world and the universe alter over time, so do our lives. We are physically fragile, our minds too eaily influenced, our emotions vulnerable, and unfortunately our wills are prone to the unholiness of selfishness, lousy attitudes, and bad behaviors. In contrast, Scripture reveals that God is eternally immutable and good.
God assured the Israelites of the pure balance of His love and justice even during their suffering for the consequences of their sinful idolatry, : “For I the Lord do not change…” (Malachi 3:6). James presents that same thought when he asserted that every good gift comes from God “with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17). And when testifying of God’s divine perfection as revealed in Christ, the author of Hebrews proclaimed, ” Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” ( Hebrews 13:8)
God deals with humanity with eternally perfect grace, mercy, love, faithfulness, morality, promises, authority, power, and justice. His omniscient mind and His holy, just, and good character are the basis for the Christian hope and beliefs which are regularly challenged by trials, diversions, doubts, and unsustainable fleshly pleasures foister by faulty and sometimes evil powers that run this broken world. However, one of His grand principles is that He “ is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9)
That divine love is why Jesus came to us. Such love is the most powerful, transformative force in our universe and the most compelling means for personal and societal change for good. Jesus came not to condemn or remove us, but to seek and rescue us, to stabilize us, to bring forgiveness, reconciliation, and divine power enabling us to overcome evil, to grow us into reflections of God’s character, and to show us how to live as we were meant to live—trusting and loving God and caring about and for one another.
We know our lives are in flux. So, we adjust to life situations, cultural changes, and aging challenges, but the truth of an old hymn resounds in the hearts of people of faith:
Earthly friends may prove untrue,
Doubts and fears assail;
One still loves and cares for you,
One who will not fail.
Tho’ the sky be dark and drear,
Fierce and strong the gale;
Just remember He is near,
And He will not fail.
In life’s dark and bitter hour
Love will still prevail;
Trust His everlasting pow’r
Jesus will not fail.
Refrain:
Jesus never fails,
Jesus never fails;
Heav’n and earth may pass away,
But Jesus never fails.
That song is full of complete confidence in Jesus, who promised to hold those of faith eternally in the palm of his hand. Thankfully, he is totally reliable and never fails (John 10:28).
Sticking with It…
There is something inspiring about sea vegetation and trees which grow and flourish in severe, hostile terrain. Tree roots intertwine and go deep between barnacled rocks where sea weed tenaciously anchor. So, when gales blow, these plants stand strong and the algae hold fast; they don’t tumble down or wash away in stormy seas.
Some people are like that. They remain steady in life’s challenges. Seeing beyond the storms, they take each day as a gift and live with joy in spite of suffering or persecution. Other people are overcome with crippling anxiety in the uncertainties of economic, physical, emotional, or spiritual stress.
Spiritual endurance is a virtue which is not always an easy choice, but it is a choice, a determination to stay the course, to finish the race, to believe in God’s goodness and in some cases to cling to Truth in spite of crazy distortions, blatant untruths, or unrelenting difficulties when doubts, delusions, or bitterness creep in.
Trusting in God’s redemptive plan and being obedient to divine spiritual directives are as essential for healthy spiritual lives today as they were thousands of years ago. Scripture’s solution for weak, powerless faith is encapsulated in several distinctive, historical God-given directives conveyed to the Israelites on multiple occasions to keep them focused on following His divine plan as they moved into the Promised Land: “Do not turn to right or left” and “Remember” and “Be strong and courageous.”
Although God has never promised believers a stress free, trauma free life in this confused and broken world, He has always promised that His providential plans are good, that He is present and protective during adversity, that there is meaning and purpose even to suffering and persecution, and that there is eternal reward for faith (Isaiah 43:2;Romans 8: 28-29;John 3:16; Hebrews 11:6).
The Biblical heroes mentioned in Hebrews 11 faced severe faith challenges including loss, deprivation, fear, grief, doubt, torture, persecution, and even death. In the bleakest of possible outcomes, their faith held firm because they believed God. They rested in His love, goodness, and redeeming power, and submitted to the values and ways that He instructed even when there was no way to assess future outcomes apart from God’s promises. Their end goals were eternal in nature….
Just as God gave enough manna each day to the Israelities in the wilderness, He promises enough strength and courage to deal with difficulties of each of our days. Hear wisdom from the Biblical book of Proverbs: “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man 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)
Christ showed us the way through the whole gamut of life’s broken experiences: setbacks, adversity, misunderstanding, belittlement, grief, loss, betrayal, temptation, suffering, and death. He willingly and joyfully endured because he submitted to the divine goodness, authority, and will of his Father whom he trusted to give sufficient courage, strength, and ability to meet the challenges of one day at a time. He taught us to pray for daily needs, to be delivered from evil, to be forgiven for our transgressions, and to not be anxious about life’s tomorrows. He said that if one prioritized and sought first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things ( life’s necessities) will be added to you (Matthew 6).
The Apostle Paul learned that truth as he struggled with God over his “ thorn in the flesh” which was never healed. He discovered that reliance upon God’s promises and power kept Him humble and honored God. In his weakness He lived with divine strength. God’s “grace was sufficient” and His power was made perfect in Paul’s weakness. That is the strength found in “abiding” in Christ.
During a difficult time, our six year old son taught me that “abiding” lesson. While in the hospital recovering from complications of leukemia treatment, he decided to send a tape recorded message to his primary school class. In a sweet, child-like voice, he sang this (at that time) contemporary chorus: “One step more… One step more… Give me faith for one step more…One step more my Savior, One step more… only one step more…When the way is weary and the night is dark and dreary, never fear; He is near. Dark and Drear may be the way, but I hear my savior say, “Follow me, follow me.” One step more… One step more… give me faith for one step more…One step more my Savior, One step more… only One step more…
There it was! The answer! Spiritual endurance means following Christ along the difficult path of trusting, obeying, and resting in God’s goodness, steadfast love and faithfulness one day, one step, at a time.
The Ducklings Speak…
These ducklings speak a visual parable of divine providence. They highlight a truth which King David vividly and beautifully captured in the lyrics of the 139th Psalm. God’s children are constantly “hemmed in behind and before” by God’s omniscience, presence, care, and protection.
Hear David sing the song:
“Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down. and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.”
“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.”
“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning. and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me” (Psalm 139:1-10).
This wonderful Psalm overflows with encouragement by offering assurance, comfort, and ultimate hope in the awesome, ever-present God, who guides and cares for His trusting children.
Centuries after this Psalm was written, its truths were wonderfully revealed in a person. Christ’s life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection were lovingly and joyfully endured for our redemption, the ultimate statement of God’s love and care and promised hope.
Passing Ships
In his “Theologians Tales,” Henry W. Longfellow used darkness as a metaphor to highlight the difficulty we have connecting with each other and to emphasize the personal isolation prevalent in this vastly populated world:
“Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing,
Only a signal shown and a distant voice in the darkness;
So on the ocean of life we pass and speak one another,
Only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.
Although we live in families, neighborhoods, and communities and associate with one another in schools, workplaces, organizations, synagogues, and churches and are connected as citizens of this world to the larger community of nations, our relationships are predominately casual. And we are lonely! We have become Longfellow’s “Ships that pass in the night.”
There is a strange incongruity in being innately relational beings who long for connection but fear deep intimacy. We possess the ability to love deeply and sacrificially, to be understanding and compassionate and generous, to support and help each other, to know right and wrong, to expect justice but also practice forgiveness, to show mercy and grace, but we fall short! We try, but we fail. The reasons are multifactorial.
The realities of time and space bring fleeting relationships and incidental encounters. Social status, ethnicity, race, individuality, quirky personalities, lifestyles, opinions, values, politics and religions create distance. Dual incomes, busy lives, attention demanding iPhones, and social media complicate and distract from relationships. Experiences drive us to build protective emotional and physical boundaries. Distrust, “fear of man”, and insecurities keep us awkward and guarded. However, there is a deeper underlying challenge. Centuries ago, God revealed an undeniable truth about a real and basic problem. “Every intention of the thoughts of (man’s) heart is only evil continually” and “The intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Genesis 6:5;8:21).
We have a heart issue. We are incapable of perfection and achieving self redemption and are separated by our brokenness. Our spirits are willful and disordered, our minds filled with impure attitudes and motives. Self centeredness and lack of grace and humility bring disorder and darkness to our world. Unfortunately, performing rituals, attending church or synagogue, praying, being generous, helping our neighbors, and giving to the poor, or even taking religious practices to the point of radical actions do not cleanse our deceitful hearts or inspire a favorable standing in God’s sight. We may be unlike in many ways, but we all share the humbling need for redemption. Our souls need the touch of divine love.
Scripture’s great message is that the Creator loves His fallen creation, has done all that is necessary to redeem it through Christ, and at some point will restore it to its original glory. We cannot make God love us more than He already does! Salvation is not earned but is a divine provision. “It is not by works that we have done but by his mercy he saves us” (Titus 3:5). Christ’s redemptive work on our behalf proved the amazing perfection of God’s unimaginable love. The cross is where mercy and justice meet to provide salvation for all who seek him.
New England poet and Quaker, John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892), wrote a poem from which some of the verses became the hymn “Dear Lord and Father of mankind.” The song addresses our common need for repentance, trusting belief in, submission to, and quiet waiting on the Lord, and the first verse speaks to those needs.
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind;
in purer lives Thy service find,
in deeper rev’rence, praise.
We share life together. Understanding and trusting what Christ has done should give new meaning, purpose, grace, and spirit to relationships. Hostilities, barriers, and divisions have been abolished by divine grace, mercy, and love. If Whittier’s prayerful song becomes ours and we walk as Jesus did, there will be fewer of Longfellow’s ships passing in the night.
Sweet Words from Maine 