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Holy Ground – Greg Watson
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“Do not come any closer,” the LORD warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.” Exodus 3:5 NLT

The gym floor might as well have been holy ground at my elementary school. Like Moses, we had to take our shoes off before running amok on the natural beauty of its hardwood grain. If not, our shoes would have left behind unwanted scuffs, scrapes, and black marks as permanent reminders of our romping about.

To a kid though, the funny thing was there were already permanent marks all over the floor. There were lines defining boundaries, blocks indicating where to take position, and timelines to mark progression. But to the school those marks were useful and full of purpose, meant to be helpful in the course of one event or another.

Just as the school revered their gym floor as holy ground, there is a sacred place we Christians are to revere even more. We won’t find it in a church, a cemetery, or a site of historical importance. Rather, it’s found in the lives of every person we meet. We know this ground is sacred because if we look closely at the grain of its floor we’ll see a familiar pattern reflected back at us. It’s the image of God.

And whether we mean to or not, our encounters with others will leave permanent marks on this ground. If we don’t remove the scarring footwear of judgment, self-righteousness, and insensitivity, we risk forever marring the beauty of that hallowed place. But if we tread lightly and are careful of our footing, these marks can be lovingly laid to provide guidance and direction to those struggling through the trials of life.

My prayer is to indeed leave permanent marks on the holy ground of another’s life. Not the ugly scars left behind by my ill-chosen footwear, but the sort of marks that will help guide a person to the goal that is Christ.

What marks are you leaving on holy ground?

Greg Watson is an environmental engineer at a chemical plant in far western Kentucky. He likes to view himself in the role of secular minister based in the workplace. Greg enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and enjoys blogging when he gets the chance. His blog of essays and devotions can be found at www.RiverGroups.com and www.quesoveritas.wordpress.com.

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Christmas Delivery – Greg Watson
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…But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. John 4:35 (NLT)

In vain she tried one position after another, but comfort had long since fled the waves of pain flowing over her in the dark. As time ground on, each successive wave peaked higher and arrived quicker than the one before. Before long she knew it was time—but I had no clue my wife was in the throws of labor with our first child.

Even though I was with her through every moment, my company was more in body than spirit. Lost in sleep, I was shooting the winning goal, swashbuckling on my pirate ship, or swaying in a hammock over a windswept beach. Who knows what I was dreaming that night? The same bed which supported her in painful labor, cradled me in contented sleep. That is, until she demanded I get up and take her to the hospital, which I obediently did, of course.

I’m often reminded of that night, usually by my wife. But around Christmas my mind wanders there itself. Could this same scene have played out during Jesus’ birth? Did Mary labor to bring Jesus into the world while Joseph lay there snoozing, leaving her to work alone? I’m sure we’ll never know.

Regardless of what happened then, I’ve come to realize I still do this today. Too often I’ve slept, leaving others pregnant with Christ’s message to labor by themselves. I’ve been content to let others do the work of delivering His message to my corner of the world. Sometimes I even dream my pocketbook will substitute for my labor. But in the end it’s only a dream. The reality is, someone else’s work will never birth Christ into the world I alone can touch.

This Christmas the waves of labor are beginning to build. From inside, Jesus is rousing me from my slumber. I know it’s time–time to wake up, time to go, and time to deliver Jesus into my world.

Has your labor begun? Can you feel the good news message kicking from inside you, desperate to get out? Perhaps it’s time to join others already in labor for the Kingdom. After all, the world to which Jesus introduced you is waiting for you to introduce Him.

Greg Watson is an environmental engineer at a chemical plant in far western Kentucky. He likes to view himself in the role of secular minister based in the workplace. Greg enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and enjoys blogging when he gets the chance. His blog of essays and devotions can be found at www.RiverGroups.com and www.quesoveritas.wordpress.com.

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Lightning – Greg Watson
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Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 NLT

Outside my Oklahoma apartment, I once enjoyed watching storms roll in from the west, especially at night. The flat plains and scrub trees offered unobstructed views of storms approaching on the horizon.

I love the lightning but in hindsight, it wasn’t very smart standing outside one evening being mesmerized by something that could kill me. Call it my Ben Franklin moment. Even so, it was truly amazing. Out of the darkness, one large bolt separated into dazzling branches of light each producing even more branches until finally a tree of lightning lit the night sky. The storm teased me to count all the radiant fingers, then it would hide them before I could reach “two.”

But lightning is powerful stuff. It can be hotter than the surface of the sun, producing billions of volts of electricity. It’s not something to take lightly. I’ve heard it said the brightest lightning bolt comes from the darkest thundercloud. Scientifically, I don’t know if this is true, but in the reality of Christian life it certainly is.

I’ve weathered my share of life storms that could and maybe should have destroyed me. The loss of my job. The split of my church. The death of my father. In the midst of those darkest clouds I have been awe-inspired by the flash of God’s amazing power. During those storms of guaranteed destruction, God gave me impossible victory. Certainly, I don’t believe I must go through a storm in order to see God’s power, but I do appreciate it more when his power flashes against the backdrop of a terrible tempest.

Can you feel the headwinds of an approaching storm rushing past your face? Do you see life’s darkest clouds massing on your horizon and pointing straight at you? If so, keep your faith, God hasn’t left you. Expect to experience the most brilliant and powerful lightning bolt of your life.

Stand outside. Face the storm. Have your own Ben Franklin moment.

Greg Watson is an environmental engineer at a chemical plant in far western Kentucky. He likes to view himself in the role of secular minister based in the workplace. Greg enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and enjoys blogging when he gets the chance. His blog of essays and devotions can be found at www.RiverGroups.com and www.quesoveritas.wordpress.com.

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No Hitter – Greg Watson
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Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21

It was called the saddest sports story of 1964. Not one batter had made a hit off of the Houston Colts (anybody remember them?) pitcher, Ken Johnson. At the top of the ninth inning he had two outs against the Cincinnati Reds. Just a few more pitches and he could claim the coveted pitching prize of a “no-hitter.”

Then the unthinkable happened. An error sent a batter to second base. On the heels of this error another one sent the runner across home plate. This lone run proved to be the game winner for the Reds. Ken Johnson walked off the field after pitching the game of a lifetime, with a seemingly impossible no-hitter in one pocket and a loss in the other. All the hope of training, effort, and flawless execution was brought down by the mockery of error.

As sad as that story is, there is a similar but much sadder one in the Gospels. A certain young man of great wealth and prominence kept the commandments all his life, yet he knew something was lacking. Falling on his knees, he begged Jesus to tell him how he could gain eternal life. Jesus responded by telling him to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor. But the young man just couldn’t do it.

All his life this young man had flawlessly observed the rules. But in the end he couldn’t follow Christ’s greatest commandment of loving God so much he couldn’t help but love others. He walked away from Jesus having lost his perfect game due to a single error.

As a Christian I often struggle not to live out this same sad story. It’s easy for me to become wrapped up in the rules of playing my best Christian game possible. I make sure I do this Christian thing or not do that worldly thing. Yet even after pitching a flawless game, I often lose my no-hitters because I simply miss following Christ’s example.

By following the rules we can certainly pitch a perfect game, but until we follow Christ’s example of loving God so we can love others, it will be a game we’ll never win.

Greg Watson is an environmental engineer at a chemical plant in far western Kentucky. He likes to view himself in the role of secular minister based in the workplace. Greg enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and enjoys blogging when he gets the chance. His blog of essays and devotions can be found at www.RiverGroups.com and  www.quesoveritas.wordpress.com.

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Sifted Like Wheat – Greg Watson
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Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 NIV

If there were a Nobel Prize for screwing up, I think I’d win hands down. The problem is, or was, every time I made a mistake I’d point a finger and say, “Good job—you did it again.” It’s never been difficult for me to allow the seeds from my mistakes to sow self-condemnation and doubt into my life.

But then I read the passage in Luke where Jesus told Peter that Satan wanted to “sift him like wheat.” Peter was about to face a great test. As a measure of comfort, Jesus informed Peter he had prayed for him not to lose his faith. Sarcastically I thought to myself, “Some comfort—I’ll bet Peter would rather have heard something like, ‘Don’t worry, Peter. I’ll deal with Satan for you.’” That’s certainly what I would want to hear.

But in a flash, I saw this scene in a different light. The best part of what Jesus told Peter lay in what he didn’t say. Jesus didn’t tell Peter, “Don’t let me down, make sure you pass the test, or do what I would do.” Rather, Jesus only told Peter he had prayed for him. Even then, Jesus didn’t pray against Satan. Nor did he pray for Peter to have strength and wisdom during the test. Jesus merely prayed for Peter to keep his faith.

My view of success was instantly and forever transformed. You see, success really has nothing to do with how well I perform during life’s trials. Nor does it really matter if I pass a test or not. No, the real battle is for my faith. In life’s trials, faith becomes the determining factor of success. So even if I fail every test that comes my way, but I don’t lose my faith—I still win! This makes my performance in battle irrelevant. My faith in the one who has overcome the world has made me more than a conqueror before the battle even begins!

I still make plenty of mistakes. But now I don’t allow those mistakes to define who I am. Their seeds find little fertile ground to produce the same fruit of condemnation they once did. That’s because now they are planted in the field of Jesus’ victory.

Let Jesus sift through you and bless your efforts.

Greg Watson is an environmental engineer at a chemical plant in far western Kentucky. He likes to view himself in the role of secular minister based in the workplace. Greg enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and enjoys blogging when he gets the chance. His blog of essays and devotions can be found at www.quesoveritas.wordpress.com.
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Worthless – Greg Watson
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Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. Psalm 145:3

Ever been to the Grand Canyon? If not, I must say you are missing a masterpiece of natural art that offers us a glimpse into God’s creative imagination. I’ve been there twice and it has incredible, jaw-dropping majesty.

But not all who have stood at its rim while dizzily peering into the canyon’s soul have shared this sentiment. In fact, the leader of an army detachment sent in 1857 to scout the American Southwest was mostly under-whelmed when he first sighted the canyon. Quoting from his expedition notes, he stated:

“The region is, of course, altogether valueless. It can be approached only from the South, and after entering it there is nothing to do but leave. Ours has been the first, and will doubtless be the last, party of whites to visit this profitless locality. It seems intended by nature that the Colorado river, along with the greater portion of its lonely and majestic way, shall be forever unvisited and undisturbed.”
Lt. Joseph Christmas Ives, 1857 US War Dept. expedition

I wonder if Lt. Ives were around today, would he like the opportunity to rephrase his assessment? This same landscape he judged worthless is now among the greatest natural treasures in the U. S. National Park System. It attracts around five-million visitors each year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Not to mention that the Colorado River, by way of Hoover Dam, provides electricity and water to tens of millions who live in the Southwest. So which was truly “valueless” – the canyon and its river, or Lt. Ives’ assessment of them?

Yet with all the Grand Canyon’s splendor, there is another creation God prizes even more – you. You are the apex of his creation. And when anyone, including you, questions your worth, God laughs just as hard as we do at Lt. Ives’ journal entry. He knows the worth of His creation. When looking at you, God sees the potential in your life even when others do not.

So don’t let the Ives’ of this world convince you that you have no value. The only one who can truly assign value appraised you as “priceless” when He sacrificed His own son to add you to His family. His provision is greater than the money we possess…greater than any material things. What God gave is priceless. When you look in the mirror, look past the paper-thin veil of a worthless report and be awe-struck by the potential of God’s most wonderful creation.

Greg Watson is an environmental engineer at a chemical plant in far western Kentucky. He likes to view himself in the role of secular minister based in the workplace. Greg enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and enjoys blogging when he gets the chance. His blog of essays and devotions can be found at www.quesoveritas.wordpress.com. Read Greg’s devotions.
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What Do I Do With This? – Greg Watson
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For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…. 2 Timothy 1:6 (NLT)

We stared at the large round cylinder of wood, neither of us sure what to make of the gift we’d just opened. I could feel my wife’s searching gaze as she hoped I would shed light on what my family had given us. Utterly stupefied myself, I wasn’t much help. Drinking up our moment of polite uncertainty, my family’s rollicking laughter soon began. Mercifully easing our constructed embarrassment, they finally brought out the rest the gift. We realized the gift we had opened was the pedestal of our first kitchen table.

As Christians, it can be just as confusing to receive the greatest gift ever given–Jesus Christ. What do we do with this gift? How do we use it? Should we do anything with it? Looking to the story of when this gift was given, we can gain some insight as to how we treat, or should treat, this gift.

It’s easy to regard Jesus as the wise men did when they met him–reverently bowing before him, paying their respects with great treasures. But afterward, they left Bethlehem for their own country without telling anyone of their discovery and were never heard from again. Nothing against the wise men–they were doing what God had told them to do. But their actions mirror Christians who meet Jesus, richly adorn him in the finery of religion, then leave him in the same spot they found him. They return to their lives as if they’d never met Christ at all. Those around them are none-the-wiser of their encounter with the gift of the ages.

Consider the shepherds after they met the Messiah. They refused to contain their joy. Fanning into Bethlehem, they proclaimed the good news to anyone who would listen. When they returned to their lives, all could see they were forever changed. This is the response of the Christian who receives the gift of Jesus and can’t help but share him with the world. The gift in them becomes compassion for the hurting, truth for the searching, and direction for the lost. In essence, they “re-gift” Jesus to every person they meet.

I was once confused by a gift I didn’t understand. But once I discovered its use, it became a treasured keepsake I shared with family, friends, and neighbors for years to come. Are you confused as to what to do with your gift of Jesus? If so, look to the shepherds for your example. What better time to share him with the world?

Greg Watson is an environmental engineer at a chemical plant in far western Kentucky. He likes to view himself in the role of secular minister based in the workplace. Greg enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and enjoys blogging when he gets the chance. His blog of essays and devotions can be found at www.quesoveritas.wordpress.com. Read Greg’s devotions.

The Eyes of Others – Greg Watson
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He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30 (NIV)

 “The eyes of other people are the eyes that ruin us. If all but myself were blind, I should want neither fine clothes, fine houses, nor fine furniture.”*

This quote from Benjamin Franklin caught my attention one day while perusing a list of his famous sayings. After reading the last syllable, I instantly felt the slice of Ben’s wit upon my conscience. Laid bare for my reflection was my own shortcoming of placing emphasis on material things that only serve my ego by making others envious.

But at once, that slice of wit turned into a surgical incision from the Spirit’s double-edged scalpel of instruction. He posed a question. “What if others’ spiritual eyes were blinded to you?” I stumbled mentally. What if no one could see all my outward appearances of Christianity? Yes, I work hard to do a good job for God and his kingdom. But honestly, deep down inside, it always strokes my ego when others notice.

This one question then prompted a flood of others. Would my labors still matter as much to me if no one ever knew that I did them? Would I even labor at all if no one would envy me spiritually for my effort? Would I be as good a Christian as I want others to believe that I am?

Frankly, I’m still working on my answers and probably will for a long time to come. The Spirit’s lesson was driven home that either I labor for the Kingdom, or I labor for my own vanity and the labor for the Kingdom is the only one that produces eternal fruit.

Have the spiritual eyes of others ruined you? Follow the lead of Christ and look with Him, through His eyes, seeing others His way.

*Quote from “The Works of Benjamin Franklin” Volume II, by Jared Sparks; Hilliard, Gray, and Company, 1836 (Original from Harvard College Library, Harvard University)

Greg Watson is an environmental engineer at a chemical plant in far western Kentucky. He likes to view himself in the role of secular minister based in the workplace. Greg enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and enjoys blogging when he gets the chance. His blog of essays and devotions can be found at www.quesoveritas.wordpress.com .
Read Greg’s devotions.