Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

My six-year-old granddaughter came to spend two days and a night with me. Prior to her arrival, Felicity had made a lovely card for me. My grandma name is “Mammy,” so here’s what she wrote with her pink ink pen on the outside of the card:  “I love you Mamee.”  The inside message was: “I love you Mamee. I will love you no madr wut. I love evreebudee in the hol intiure wrld. Frum Felicity.” I was astounded that this young child  had actually written the main theme of the Bible in her simple handmade card.

In 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, we’re told that the more excellent way to live is by practicing a life of love. In regard to the spiritual gifts of faith, hope, and love, God tells us that the greatest of these is love. Felicity wrote that she would love me no matter what. That means she would love me even when she is required to put away the toys, try new food, and obey instructions. Love is not a feeling; it’s our attitude and actions. In childlike faith, my granddaughter expressed that she will love not only those who love her, but everybody in the whole entire world. That reminds me of John 3:16.

If I had to name one earthly person in the whole entire Bible that best expressed his love for Jesus, I would choose John.  This disciple authored the fourth New Testament Gospel, three Johns, and the book of Revelation. We often refer to him as John the Revelator. But as the writer of the Gospel of John, he refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.“ Jesus loved everyone in the whole entire world, but not everyone totally grasped that concept. But John clearly accepted Jesus’ love for him personally. “Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23 NKJV). Feeling confident in the Savior’s love, John was completely at ease resting his head on Jesus’ chest while at the table of fellowship. He was not afraid to demonstrate solid devotion for his Messiah, Master, and Lord. John recognized that Jesus was real love in human form and that He could be fully trusted in all things.

Believers have the ability to love one another because the Holy Spirit lives inside us and helps us to do the right thing. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John was certainly qualified to write about love. He had experienced it, seen it in action on the cross, and practiced it. “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion — how can God’s love be in that person?” (1 John 3:16,17 NLT). Jesus is our source and motivation to practice loving others. His atoning sacrifice calls us to perpetual responsibility to actively love others. When we claim to be Christians, we are beholden to live like Christ.

Love is God’s idea, so it’s a big deal to Him. We learn the importance of love all the way from Genesis to Revelation. God said, “I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love Me and obey My commands” (Exodus 20:6 NLT). In the last book of the Bible, God is still talking about love. John the Beloved pens, “Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]” (Revelation 3:19 AMP).

The Key: Love God and evree budee no madr wut.

Scripture instructs us to pray.  Loved ones ask for it, depend on it, and trust we will follow through when we promise to intercede for those who are hurting.  Oh, we try (don’t we?), but there’s this haunting, little inadequacy thing. The words are fleeting.  Our mind wanders. We don’t begin to understand to Whom it is we are talking.

In A Morbid Taste for Bones, Ellis Peters gives a sweet description of someone she watched who was deep in prayer: “He prayed as he breathed, forming no words and making no specific requests, only holding in his heart, like broken birds in cupped hands, all those people who were in stress or grief.”

Do you picture that as I do, with a sense of awe, and know that this is the type of intercessor you want in your corner?  Or the kind of prayer warrior you want to be but perhaps are not delivering? You question the usefulness of your petitions. “What’s the point? The last sick people for whom I prayed have not improved, even though I visualized the miracle.”  “The marriage for which I prayed ended in a split, in spite of how I was praying in God’s will—He who disdains divorce.”  “The drug-addicted son for whom I grieved ended up in the penitentiary.”  Have you been there?

So, why are my prayers ineffective?

We forget that bad things happen to good people, our prayers are not a magic bullet, and to God, our spiritual growth is more important than our physical desires being met. Just as a sailor does not learn to master the sea during calm waters, so is our faith tested during the difficult times.  More importantly, we simply can’t see God’s purposes.

Someone once wrote that God offers three answers to prayer: (1) Yes, (2) No, and (3) I have something better for you.

As it turns out, I personally have some ownership in the battle of prayer.

(1). There has to be a relationship between God and me.  He is not interested in being my bottled genie when the only time I talk to Him is when I want something. Think of your children.  If they have no regard for you except when they want you to meet their demands, you would feel used, not respected or loved. So it is with God.

(2). Sin interferes with our relationship. Psalm 66:18 makes that clear. “If I regard sin in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”  Sin seeks to control us, and yes, we all are sinners, but if we make no attempt to stop sinning and cling to it like shrink-wrap on a jar (or like my waist when I was younger and tried to lose weight), we will not be seeking God with our whole heart.

(3).  Selfish motives can kill a prayer.  I can ask God all day long to make me a better witness for Jesus, but if my hidden intent is to get notoriety or praise for doing so, God isn’t interested.

4).  Unforgiveness is not the way to get God into our court.  Mark 11:25 tells us that God will not forgive me unless I forgive someone who has offended me.

James 5:16 is a powerful verse: “The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power.”  You want power in your prayers?  I do.  Then our petitions need to be “effective,” meaning God will hear—and act on—those prayers. A few verses previous, James asked if anyone was suffering.  “Let him pray.”  That was the same answer given to anyone uncheerful or sick or sinning.  They all were to pray.  Why?  Because prayer works. And it works not because of us…but because of God Almighty.

Martin Luther said it well: “To be a Christian without praying is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.  I think that’s the kind of prayer Ellis Peters was talking about.

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Hayward Tucker

I didn’t understand much about the He-Man Woman-Haters Club. All I really remember is that The Little Rascals got into a lot of mischief and they had a cute dog named Petey. Spanky was the ring leader, Alfalfa had awful hair and vocal ability, and Buckwheat’s smile was adorable. These are the boys I remember best, although there were several others. Their neighborhood exclusive boys club was against girls and Valentine’s Day.

Being excluded doesn’t promote acceptance or positive emotions, but being included lets us know we’re loved, valued, and appreciated. Before the foundation of the world was laid, God the Father decided that anyone who loved His Son would be loved and accepted by Him as His child. God decided He would adopt all those who believed in and accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV). If you’ve ever memorized Bible verses, this is probably one you’ve committed to memory. This scripture is the gospel in a nutshell. God loved everyone, so He sent His Son to save them. Salvation is not an exclusive offer, but rather all-inclusive.

When Jesus was born, the angel told the shepherds, “Don’t be afraid!“ he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to ALL people” (Luke 2:10 NLT). This super-good news was all-inclusive. The word “all” is used to refer to the whole quantity or extent of a particular group. All means everybody. “For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another] (Romans 2:11 AMP). Salvation is offered through Jesus Christ for the good, the bad, and the ugly. No one is ever too bad or too-far gone to come to Jesus. No matter what you’ve done or haven‘t done, His blood washes away every sin stain to make you white as snow. All means all. “He [Jesus] is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in Him will have their sins forgiven through His name” (Acts 10:43 NLT).

When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord, Simeon was there. He took the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as You have promised. I have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared for ALL people. He is a light to reveal God…” (Luke 2:29-32 NLT). All people means Jews and Gentiles. God’s mercy is available to ALL, but not all will accept it. His mercy and forgiveness is all-inclusive, but all people have a freewill to accept Jesus or reject Him.

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty. For it is my Father’s will that ALL who see His Son and believe in Him should have eternal life” (John 6:35,40 NLT). God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are in cahoots together so ALL who believe in the Son will have an abundant life now and eternal life later. There are no restrictions, rules, or regulations required to walk through the open gospel door. The good news is for ALL who choose to believe and receive Jesus as Savior. “…Contrary to man’s perspective, the Lord is not late with His promise to return, as some measure lateness. But rather, His ’delay’ simply reveals His loving patience toward you, because He does not want any to perish but ALL to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 TPT).

The Key: All can smile like Buckwheat because of the all-inclusive invitation to be part of God’s family.

Happy Father’s Day!

Last week, Dave and I met with our Mexico banker, “Eduardo.” He is a wonderful, Christian man who, like Dave, loves sports and shared what recently happened at his six-year-old’s basketball game.  The opponent accidentally hit his son “Jose” in the face, so his son punched his competitor in the back.

Intentionally.  Jose’s dad left his seat and met his son on the bench where the coach was addressing the young boy’s bad attitude.  Eduardo thanked the coach for disciplining his son and said that if his son was a poor sport again, he wanted him out of the game completely.

On the ride home, Dad and Son had a meeting about not playing with dignity.  Eduardo led Jose in a prayer that night…and again the next morning when he dropped his son off at school.  When Eduardo shared the incident with his wife, she reminded him of a story he had told her when they were dating.  He, as his baseball team’s catcher, pinned his opponent up against a wall after his teammate on third base screamed at the other dugout.  Eduardo’s close friend was on the other team and asked why he was so upset.  He was “defending his teammate,” he said, because the opponent “must have said something derogatory.”

Eduardo’s friend started laughing and explained that the teammate had gotten worked up when the competition referred to them as “ponis” instead of caballos (“horses”), their official mascot. A molehill had been turned into a mountain, and Eduardo was publicly embarrassed by his actions.  He wanted to make sure his son did not follow in his footsteps.

We were proud of our banker for the way he handled his son and told him so. After all, it seems there is a shortage of great fathers today, but other than teaching a child right from wrong, what makes a great father?  For one, he is present.

In my upcoming book, A Little Faith Lift, I cite the 2021 National Fatherhood Initiative, “The Statistics Don’t Lie: Fathers Matter.” Over 40 percent of all U.S. births are to single moms (compared to less than 5 percent in 1950), and each year 180,000 guys become teen dads. That equates to more than 1.5 million babies born into unmarried households, with only 20 percent of teen fathers marrying the baby’s mother. Unfortunately, approximately eight of ten teen fathers will end up flying the paternal coop, with most children born to teen dads never knowing their fathers. No surprises there. Most of these “dads” themselves grew up in a fatherless household.

What kind of a dad deserts his children and cares not that their needs are met?  If the dad is absent, the burden on the mother is enormous. My father died when I was eight-months-old.  I had a brother one year older than me, and my mother was pregnant when Dad died.  Mom spent her entire life selflessly dedicated to our upbringing and somehow kept us all walking the straight-and-narrow (well, except for me, but let’s not go there right now).  My brothers and I never felt abandoned by our dad.  Big difference from those who question their worth when their fathers intentionally jump off the family ship.

Scripture assumes a dad who is present.

Luke 11:11 refers to a father’s kind heart: Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he?  Ephesians 6:4 reminds the dad of his role in raising his children: Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 

The Bible is not short on stories of inadequate fathers: Lot, Isaac, Jacob, Eli, Samuel, King David, Eli the High Priest, and let’s not even count the inept kings who fathered inept sons. But there is one Father who never fails, and that is God.

Zephaniah 3:17 addresses how watched over we are: The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Fathers, on this day celebrating you, I pray that you do the same for your children as God does for you.  Be present.

Keys to the Kingdom

On a warm summer’s day, my brother Randy, his girlfriend Corda, and I headed to the Stockton Sac River for a fun swim. This was around 1965 BD (before the dam) and our  transportation was an old pickup with a standard transmission. Randy knew how to drive a standard, but he wasn’t much of an expert on the treacherous and rocky uphill road. When we were halfway up the steep incline, he killed the engine.  He proceeded to put one foot on the clutch and one on the brake, and desperately needed another one for the accelerator. We were in a bit of a pickle because he needed three feet and only had two.  The last thing he wanted to do was roll harum-scarum backwards into a tree. Since Corda was sitting in the middle, he coaxed her into loaning her left foot for the gas pedal. All’s well that ends well.  All I cared about was playing in the water.

Jesus knew that, in and of ourselves, we would not be enough without the Holy Spirit‘s help. His close disciples loved Him, needed Him, and depended on Him. Because of the depth of Jesus’ love for His followers, He left no stone unturned. “But now I am going to Him Who sent Me, yet none of you asked Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]” (John 16:5-7 AMP).

When Jesus said, “I will send Him to you,” that’s a promise believers can trust in and act upon. When you need more than what you’ve got, the Holy Spirit is there inside you to help you. There’s more to a believer’s life than what meets the eye. Usually, it’s the invisible things that we need the most. When you need more guts, strength, understanding, and self-control than you’ve got, merely ask for the Spirit‘s help.

Simply put, God’s Word is either true or it’s not. We’re either Christians or we’re doubting imposters. Personally, whatever the Bible says is my opinion. I choose to believe that Jesus was not a liar when He said, “It is to your advantage that I go away….”  We now have hope and help by the power of the ever-present Holy Spirit. Again, Jesus says, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit…” (John 14:16,17 NLT). Since the Spirit lives in believers, we are never alone and have what we need when we need it. You might say that we’re to take advantage of our advantage.

When I was young, I said to Dad, “It would have been so wonderful to be with Jesus!” His response was, “It’s better now because Jesus couldn’t be everywhere with everyone at the same time, but the Holy Spirit can.” I’ve lived many years since that meaningful conversation and I can testify that when I’m not enough, the Holy Spirit comes to my aid and makes me enough. The following scripture has an asterisk, is underlined and highlighted in my late husband’s Bible: “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace” (Romans 8:6 NLT).

The Key: Partnering with the Holy Spirit is enough to make the uphill climb.

Keys to the Kingdom

My Mom had planned to name my older brother, “Robert Randall,” and then call him “Bobby.”  Well, the delivery room in 1947 was a lot different from today‘s hospital. The birthing process was what we now call, “knock ’em out and drag ‘em out.”  Shortly after the baby was born, the nurse asked Mom for his name so she could complete the necessary forms. Mom was so discombobulated that she replied, “Randall Robert” which was exactly backwards. When she read the birth certificate information later in her room, she realized the name wasn’t right. However, she didn’t want to be a bother, so she just let it go. Therefore, she had to switch her preference and call her newborn “Randy.” This is one of the most bizarre family stories I’ve ever heard! My brother lived his entire life being called the wrong name because our mother was such a sweet and peace-loving lady.

The name parents choose for their child is important because names have meanings. God made sure that the Son of God would have the most-appropriate name, so He gave these specific instructions to Mary through the angel Gabriel: “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:31,32 NLT).

When Joseph and Mary were engaged to be married, while still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. As Joseph considered breaking the engagement, an angel appeared to him in a dream and said: “…Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus (meaning The Lord saves)…“ (Matthew 1:20,21 NLT). Both Mary and Joseph were separately told by angels that this child was to be given the name of Jesus. There was to be no confusion, mistakes, guessing, or doubts that the Messiah’s name was to be Jesus.

Salvation through Christ alone is one of the main themes of the New Testament. “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NLT). Jesus is the only way to God, salvation, and eternal life. In the book of Acts, the apostles were busy loving and helping people by using the name of Jesus to pray for them.

There are many other titles in the Bible that are given to Jesus. Here are just a few KJV references: Advocate (1 John 2:1), Author and Finisher of our Faith (Hebrews 12:2), Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4), First and Last (Revelation 1:17), Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22), Light of the World (John 8:12), Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), Truth (John 1:14).

Jesus’ name is so powerful, He instructs believers to pray to the Father in His name. “You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it!” (John 14:13,14 NLT).  Jesus gave believers the “Power of Attorney” to use His name for every situation we will ever face.

The Key: Don’t answer any questions while coming out from under anesthesia.

I wish I would have known when I was younger several things I now realize:

1. Praying daily at a set time for a set number of minutes is a wonderful discipline, but it doesn’t compare to communing with God throughout the entire day.
2. Something heart-changing happens when I read the Bible. I can’t explain it, and even if I’m slugging through Leviticus, I still close that book knowing I am nearer to the One who orchestrated its writings than I was when I first opened its pages.
3. Everyone I meet is an encounter with Jesus. This past week, I drove by a young, emaciated woman. Convicted by her desperate state, I did a U-turn and drove up next to her.  Holding out some pesos for her, I was stunned by how she stared at me through hollow eyes that barely opened; she had no idea what I was trying to give her.  When her mood switched from confused to angry, my idea of taking her back to our condo to offer her a shower and a meal suddenly seemed like a less-than-brilliant plan.  She took the money, but as I pulled away, I couldn’t help but ask what Jesus would have done.
4. My example is far more important than my words.  Showing people I love them trumps any language I use to express that love.
5. God cares about details. He is every “coincidence” in my life. When I forget my umbrella and return to the house only to find I left the oven on, I now credit Him with the reminder that even my forgetfulness can be used for my benefit.
6. The fact that I am breathing and my fingers are able to type this article are all because of God’s provisions.
7. I never should take my husband or my children or my friends for granted, and I never should stop being open to meeting new friends.
8. Disciplining a grandchild might be my least favorite thing to do in the whole world.
9. Life is not fair, and I’m grateful it’s not.
10. My aches and pains remind me that this is a fallen world, and sometimes—not often– Ibuprofen can be my friend.
11. Sweaty, manual labor is a really, really good thing.
12. When Dave says “I love you,” I am blessed.
13. No matter what anyone says, there’s no magic formula to make wrinkles disappear. I’m sort of glad about that.
14. It’s okay if I like crab and my best friend gags on it. Best friends celebrate their differences.
15. Some days, I just look up and say, “Thank you, God, for making that happen.”

I need to do it every day…probably every hour.

This week has been a tough one for my friends and their families.  I grieve because of what they are enduring.  Some I cannot share.  Some I can.

My friend Joyce died.  Unexpectantly.  In her last text to me, two days before her death, she wrote this: “I’ve got my eyes on The Prize…Jesus…”  Little did Joyce know that she would meet her “Prize” a short time later.  The day before, she had asked her friends to send her cards so she could post them on the wall in her care facility room.  If Joyce was praying for you, you can be sure she never missed a day.

My girlfriend “Sarah” phoned and reacquainted me with the term “mean girls” who obviously are alive and not well. I don’t understand what makes them tick. Her granddaughter “Jessie,” a student at a new school, had made friends with three girls. After moving several times because of her parents’ divorce and remarriages, this was the first time she had close friends.  Jessie’s invitation to prom gave her renewed confidence.  All four girls would meet at Jessie’s house to dress for the prom where Jessie’s mother, thrilled about her daughter’s excitement, created a potato bar for the girls and their dates.

When Sarah arrived at her granddaughter’s house to take pictures, the mood had changed.  Jessie’s date had phoned and said that he was not able to drive and asked if Jessie’s dad could drop her off at the prom.  Strange, but what else could she do?  When none of the friends arrived at her house, Jessie called them.  No one answered.  Sarah made excuses and attempted to encourage her granddaughter that this “obviously” was some goof-up.  Jessie needed to go to the dance where, surely, everything would be explained.

Fifteen minutes after Jessie was dropped off at prom, she called her dad, asking that he pick her up.  None of the girls were talking to her, and her “date” acted as if she didn’t exist.  My friend cried for three days and then called me.  “I have some advice,” I said.  “Drive up to Jessie’s school and greet the three girls when they leave.  Ask them what pleasure they had in destroying your granddaughter’s confidence and belief that they were her friends. And then meet her “date,” and knock him unconscious. (And yes, I know that this is not what Christians do…but remember, even Jesus got angry.)

The next night, a text came from one of my five college friends who meet up annually for a reunion.  She had been on a date-night with her husband.  He choked on a piece of steak and died. Waiters had attempted the Heimlich but to no avail.  What a horror for my friend to watch!

I tried to find blessings out of such sadness.  Joyce had been struggling for the past year with health issues.  Jessie didn’t need “friends’ like these mean girls.  My sorority friend’s husband had been dealing with early-onset-dementia, had to move out of his house and was grieving because of it.  God knew all of that…and more.

How does one know how God is working?  Because He’s always working.  His permissive will allows things to occur that we do not understand.  When I opened my emails today, this appeared: “God absolutely longs to help us in our hurt.”  He does that by offering Heaven to those who love Him and accept the gift of His son.  When I think of my two friends’ deaths, I know that their last breath here on earth became their first breath in eternity. They loved Jesus. They are so much better off than we are.

Their physical and mental deficiencies are no more.  No pain.  No sorrow.  Only pure joy.  As for my friend’s granddaughter, I pray that God leads her to a “real” friend…hopefully one that will last and love her unconditionally.  A perfect friend like Jesus.

Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

We are in T R O U B L E

While sitting at the table during a funeral dinner, my friend Mary Ann was asked how many head of cattle she had.  Without missing a beat she responded, “More than I need with it as dry as it is.” My friend Tammy had been working in her yard and emailed: “I didn’t realize how dry it is….we are in trouble.” Another friend, Carie, recently commented that they had lost some trees because it was so dry last year. And then my friend Deborah told me they had some bushes that didn’t leaf out this spring because they’re dead. For two years, I’ve babied a Jane Magnolia tree that we planted in 2021 in  memory of my late husband. Because of the significance of that special tree, it looks like I’ll need to keep watering it because I want it to live and bloom.

I awakened one morning with Tammy’s words, “We are in trouble,” on my mind. I realized that she’s right, but what could I do about it?  The Lord brought the following  scripture to my heart (He is responding to King Solomon‘s prayer at the dedication of the Lord’s Temple): “At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. Then if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land” (2 Chronicles 7:13,14 NLT).

Until recent years, I misunderstood the true message of that scripture. I thought it was directed to out-and-out sinners. But no, God is referring to followers of Christ — “My people.“ I knew that I needed to ponder and obey this scripture. There’s more than one way to think, “It’s not about me.” Well, this time it is about me. And as I spent time with God, one of my devotional books confirmed my meditation because the writer mentioned (not once but twice) “humble yourself today…humble yourself today.” In 1 Corinthians, Paul instructs us to examine ourselves (not one another) and be repentant.

King David wrote, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” (Psalm 139: 23,24 NLT). Based off this heartfelt scripture, J. Edwin Orr penned the lyrics to a prayer-like hymn entitled, “Cleanse Me.“  Verse 1: Search me, O God and know my heart today. Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts I pray. See if there be some wicked way in me. Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.

This is pretty-serious stuff, but when we’re in trouble, it’s necessary business with God. Not just in times of trouble, but every day I need to be humble. Mac Davis is a gifted songwriter, but I don’t need to go around singing, “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way…” I simply cannot think too highly of myself because that puts me in a scary place without God’s forgiveness, restoration, and favor. It’s my desire to practice humility in my daily walk with God: “And He gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, ’God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble‘” (James 4:6 NLT).

The Key: Let’s bow low before God and admit we’re doomed without His gracious forgiveness.

Melanie and her husband, Beau, picked me up at the Philadelphia airport and drove us to our hotel in Wilmington, Delaware, where I would deliver a TEDx talk the following afternoon.  A “Meet and Greet” was scheduled that evening which was where Melanie introduced me to some of the other speakers. I then realized what a nerve-wracking ordeal this really was.

I met entrepreneurs, Google masters, scientists, life coaches, geniuses.  Several were there with their agents and support staff who would be in the audience, assuring a standing ovation for their friend.  I was there with…well, me.  Close friends had asked to come, but I had chosen to go it alone.  Now I wasn’t so sure that was a grand plan.

One lady, a psychoanalyst, shared that she had submitted four videos to the TED organizers.  All were rejected.  She hired an audio coach.  A speech coach.  A videographer.  A make-up person.  Only then was she accepted.  I had done none of that.  Melanie Burris, a recruiter for this platform, had orchestrated this opportunity for me. Until then, I had no idea how much people needed this talk to advance their positions in the workplace.

I was to speak at 3:30. By noon, they were an hour behind, so they shortened lunch and omitted the afternoon break (which came one speaker before me).  From backstage, I sensed the audience was lethargic for the two speakers preceding me.  Not good.  My opening line, intended to get a laugh, got none.  This was an uphill battle I had not intended.  Within the first two minutes, I messed up a sentence.  My recovery was not stellar.  The next “humorous” section caused a few chuckles but not what I had hoped for.

Maybe I needed a stun gun.  Or a trap door that would swallow me whole.

Suggestions made by friends (Suck on a lemon drop; drink tons of water with electrolytes; have no caffeine) had helped, so at least I hadn’t passed out or had my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, but I was not capturing my audience.   I reminded myself that God had allowed this opportunity and visualized Jesus standing beside me. My biggest fan was on that stage with me.   Friends were praying for me.  The audience needed to hear this message about the rewards of rejection.

When I came to the next funny part, I was shocked to hear people laughing…hard.  From that point on, they continued to do so. At the end, several stood to applaud, and at the after-party, many introduced themselves and made kind comments. A thousand-pound weight was lifted from my shoulders, most which came from me having no idea what to expect when I first said “yes” to memorizing this speech.

The unknown is so ridiculously…unknown, isn’t it?  Several times before this talk, I considered backing out, but when I thought of the people praying for me, trusting that God had a purpose (perhaps to teach me humility?), I knew that I could not let Fear win.  Fear can paralyze.

One of my close friends recently shared that she avoids large crowds because of an experience with a cruel teacher who called her to the front of her fifth-grade class and demanded an answer. When the student froze, she had to hold her hands out for the teacher to strike each palm with a ruler.  All while her classmates watched. To date, she is fifty-five years old and is terrified of crowds. God wants differently.

“Fear not” is written 365 times in the Bible.  Obviously fear is a problem God wants us to overcome. One of my favorite scriptures is Isaiah 41:13: For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  The coolest thing is—He does.  We just have to be willing to give Him a chance.