Keys to the Kingdom

Most of us know people that periodically go through days with their dander up. Like an ol’ wet hen, they’re annoyed or angry about something fairly often. They take a molehill and turn it into a mountain, and then blow up like a volcano. Years ago I knew a gal that would become sulky and unsociable and no one around her would know why. It was an especially puzzling experience for me because I’d never been around anyone that acted that way.

As believers, let’s determine to pay very close attention to what God reveals to us about ourselves. Although He loves us like we are, He loves us too much to let us stay that way. When the Holy Spirit shows you that you need to change an unChristlike behavior, don’t get your dander up. Be thankful He loves and cares about you and wants you to keep walking toward His likeness. Let’s throw out any pride, sincerely repent, and get in stride with the Holy Spirit. Resolve to work with God to climb up higher in our faithfulness to Him. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2,3 NLT).

Believers express adoration to God when singing, “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” but what about our faithfulness to Him? Is it great, or is it just mediocre and falling short of a five-star rating? No matter the number of stars you are, we need to stay in God’s Word — read it, believe it, and live it. Keep praying and never give up! A clever trick of the devil is to convince you that you’re a failure as a Christ follower and you should just quit trying. Don’t you dare believe him because he’s a big fat liar, and his pants really are on fire!

The apostle Paul’s letter to the Church in Ephesus is intended to stabilize, shape, and challenge believers in their faith. This letter (dated 60-62 AD) is still a relevant teaching in Christian doctrine and living for the modern Church. “I always pray to the great and glorious Father, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that He will give you the Spirit, who will let you know truths about God and help you understand them, so that you will know Him better. I pray that God will open your minds to see His truth. And you will know that God’s power is very great for us who believe“ (Ephesians 1:17,18a,19a ERV).

The following scripture makes it clear that God holds His children by the hand to prevent them from falling. We know there’s security and comfort in holding hands, especially when the hand is nail-scarred. “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand” (Psalm 37:23,24 NLT).

It’s not God’s plan for believers to white-knuckle our journey of faith. The book of Ephesians states that we’re well equipped with the Spirit who helps us know and understand the truths of God. We have everything we need to know God better and be powerful imitators of Christ Jesus.

The Key: Rejoice when God puts His thumb in your back — it means He loves you.

On several occasions, I have referenced an Atlantic Monthly article written by James Fallows, in which he describes his 54,000-mile journey around America in 2016 to see what makes some small towns successful. His summary included 11 striking similarities to these communities that are bucking the national trends. At least eight of these 11 characteristics rely on one concept: unity. It is reasonable to conclude that it is highly improbable that a rural community could succeed without a high level of this highly perishable commodity.

As I pondered this reality, I remembered my first days in Bourbon County nearly 7 years ago. As one makes new acquaintances and friends, one also learns about old enemies and the grudges that exist in most small communities. I have been involved in several efforts to improve our county, only to be slowed or completely derailed by a wall of ill-will caused by old wounds and past sins, disheartening to say the least.

Not to represent myself as an innocent bystander in this dynamic; I have made my share of mistakes and have hurt and offended people in this community that I love. Sometimes, my approaches to repair damage I have done have been met with grace and forgiveness; other times, I have been shunned, another community grudge has taken root, and trust is eroded.

The most critical area in which unity is necessary relates to the cost of local government, which is tied to our high tax rates and low property values. We can no longer afford the overhead of so many local governments providing identical services in close proximity to one another. We have to swallow our collective pride, reconcile with our neighbors, and seek ways to work together on our mutual problems.

In my mind, the best way to begin is to draw from all areas of our county to write a strategic plan for the future success of Bourbon County. An entity or small group of people that most of us trust must lead this effort and get it done; then, we need to implement the plan together.

The research by Mr. Fallows supports but one conclusion: A small community cannot succeed without unity. Decide today what you can do to repair rifts, build bridges, and help reestablish the mutual spirit we need to move our county ahead. We cannot afford to write anyone off as if we don’t need them; we need everyone. After all, that is the very definition of unity.