Dave Dishman

Sometimes a nudge in the right direction is all someone needs.

After a mysterious vision in the night, Paul and his missionary band shifted plans and traveled to Macedonia (modern day Greece). On a riverbank outside of Philippi, they sat down to talk with a group of women.

There they met a successful businesswoman who sold goods colored in purple, a highly valued commodity and expensive to manufacture. This woman of means, Lydia, already worshipped God but had never heard of Jesus. As they spoke the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.

Lydia jumped at the good news of Jesus. She was baptized and brought her entire household into the faith. She invited Paul and his group to stay at her home. Lydia, the first convert to Christianity in Europe, developed into an ardent follower of Jesus and faithful supporter of Paul.

We never know who is ready for the good news of Jesus. Some people have no interest, others listen with curiosity, but then there are those primed to follow the Lord. All they need is a spark, a word, a nudge in the right direction.

I’m often pleasantly surprised by reactions when I let people know I’m a follower of Jesus. Don’t be afraid to open a conversation to the ways of the Lord. You just might bring the nudge a person in your path needs to discover a relationship with our amazing God.

Acts 16:11-15

Photo by charlesdeluvio

Goliath roared his challenge day after day. I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together. King Saul and his army quaked in their boots. Then a precocious young man entered the camp, grew exasperated with Goliath’s bloviation and retorted, Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

Goliath defied God and David took his head. To this day defying God remains problematic.

It’s normal to wonder about the ways of God. Asking difficult questions, arguing with the Lord, and harboring doubts are all part of following him. The Scriptures are filled with valid questions by godly people. David, the hero of this story, poured out his frustrations to the Lord throughout his life. Here’s an example—How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (Psalm 13:1).

Doubt is ok, but active disobedience and passive rebellion goes beyond the pale. David wrote of another who defied God (Doeg the Edomite who slaughtered the priests of the Lord): God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living (Psalm 52:5).

Jesus spoke of similar matters. One day he took a child upon his knee and said, Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea (Matthew 18:5). Provoking Jesus by actively leading his followers astray earns a death sentence.

I know lots of people with valid questions about God. Many hold doubts that keep them from embracing the Lord. Their journey is their journey, and I trust and pray they move towards our Lord. I know a few, and read of others, who actively defy God. Even they are not too far gone.

Defying God doesn’t pay in the long run. But God doesn’t give up on his defiers. It’s never too late for the Goliaths in your life. Keep praying that they may meet a worthy opponent who will knock them in the head with a message from the Lord.

I Samuel 17

Photo by Kelly Sikkema

The French Revolution of 1789 led to a reign of terror where enemies of the new regime were executed. The guillotine took the lives of thousands, including Marie Antionette, and in a macabre twist, many of the original leaders of the revolution. Once the mob is unleashed, who knows who it will consume?

Paul and Barnabus created a ruckus in Lystra when Paul healed a man crippled from birth. The crowd went wild, even proclaiming Paul and Barnabus as gods. Paul tried to quiet the crowd as he spoke of the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

But enemies arrived and turned the throng. Snapping and snarling, throwing rocks and fists, they dragged Paul from the city and left him for dead. One minute worshipping, the next stoning. So goes the madness of crowds.

I see the mob most evident today on social media. An event whips up a fervor. A movement forms. It’s tempting to jump onboard, even if I don’t know all the details or are privy to inside information. I click to hold accountable those who need punished, without trial or testimony. It’s fun and easy to join the mob, although I often turn a bit queasy when all the facts emerge later.

Avoid the madness of crowds. There’s no future there. Turn off the social media maelstrom and go for a walk. Calm your psyche and settle your soul. Turn instead to the amazing God Paul proclaimed, who satisfies your heart with food and gladness.

Acts14:8-23

Photo by Amber Kipp

I’ve enjoyed a great deal of help in my life—parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, mentors, bosses, co-workers, spouse, authors dead and alive, pastors, friends, and on and on. It’s humbling to think back on the many people who’ve been a source of encouragement, learning and growth.

Each one of us tells a similar story. It’s good to remember that all the hands-up we receive in life originate in the Lord. David wrote: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

You and I can personalize this in our own way—My help is in the name of the Lord.

My help as I rise in the morning.

My help in my marriage.

My help in my family.

My help in my relationships, both easy and challenging.

My help in my career.

My help in my finances.

My help in encouraging others to walk with the Lord.

My help in eating right.

My help in exercise.

My help in turning off and avoiding social media.

My help in navigating my news feed.

My help in loving those who appear unlovable.

My help in the day-to-day.

My help when my head hits the pillow.

Pause a moment and ponder—who is the source of my help? My help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 124

Photo by Claudio Schwarz