His Spirit Living in Us

In our diversity class while in graduate school, we were challenged to explore a new way of thinking. We brainstormed all the ways people are diverse, starting with the obvious race, religion, and sex areas. Then, it surprised us all when stories unfolded about learning styles, interests, and lifestyles.

An idea for my project unfolded as I thought about a student in my class who was a rodeo girl. I was struck with the notion that while my class at the time lacked diversity in typical terms, I knew nothing of her life outside my class. It would prove to be a worthwhile adventure.

At the rodeo, my student was in her element. She wore a large cowboy hat and ran to greet me. She took me by the hand and gave me a backstage tour. I met her mentors called “rodeo moms.” I shook hands with a rodeo clown and got close and personal with the animals.

She encouraged me to sit back and enjoy the show while she explained what was happening. I became a student that day. She was typically shy, so this was the most I had ever heard her talk. She explained the role of the rodeo clown. His job was dangerous and entailed distracting and protecting the man thrown from the bull. She explained what she would be doing when her time was up.

I watched my fellow student rope and tie a goat in record time and stand confidently on the rodeo floor. Her attire and everything about her shone with what was a newfound success for me. I immediately thought, "I need rodeo reading materials in my classroom."

After that experience and my class report to my fellow graduate students, I looked at my peers and bookcase differently. A lightbulb had gone off. We serve a God who created the earth but also people in all their creative glory. We have much to learn and celebrate.

Think of someone in your life who deserves a second glance. Then, think of ways you can meet them where they are. 

I must admit a terrible mistake I once made. I was in charge of lighting for a television shopping channel. My supervisor told the floor directors they could turn lights from one set to another if a problem occurred. At the same time, I would not receive written documentation of a lighting problem if such an event occurred. I would find out when I walked into a studio and saw a light turned differently. 

Upon walking into studio C, I found such a light on one of the sets. Sadly, I blew up and started screaming. After my rant, I walked outside to calm down. But when I returned and tried to enter the building, I was locked out. Eventually, my supervisor showed up and suspended me for three days.

Nonetheless, the Lord showed me mercy. I found out later that the director in the control room wanted to call the police. However, the producer, a Christian, asked the director to refrain.

I am so thankful for the Lord’s mercy. If the police had shown up, I could have been arrested. I am also grateful I did not lose my job. What I did was a sin.

The Lord is merciful to all, as when He died on the cross for our sins. The Lord showed mercy so we can have eternal life with Him. If you have not received His forgiveness and eternal life, do so today. 

My imagination ran in hyperdrive. I didn’t know when to expect my friends back home, but I was sure they should have been back long ago. I sat uncomfortably on an oversized windowsill in the kitchen, watching and worrying.

Each passing minute seemed like an hour. My hands were clammy. I began to shake uncontrollably. Sweat slid down my spine under my shirt. I was sure that my BO was becoming unbearable and that when they returned, I would be embarrassed by it. Darkness fell, exacerbating my terror.

Rain fell and a strong wind blew. A tree outside swayed in the wind and scratched on the window. Odd and terrifying sounds filled the house, which would have seemed perfectly benign in other circumstances.

I had been left alone in this large house while a group of friends took a day trip. I don’t remember the details, but we were a college group that memorized Bible verses and had Bible studies together.

My fears were groundless but no less real. When my friends returned, I could not admit I had been afraid. “Everything went just fine,” I said. But I was a liar. My foolish pride would not allow me to confess that I failed to apply what I claimed to believe. If I had been honest, they could have prayed with me, we could have laughed together, and I could have grown.

If you are not a part of a small group, find one. Seek out friends to whom you can confess your sins of unbelief. Let them love you to spiritual growth.

“Don’t hang around with those girls,” my grandmother said to me when I was in high school. “They’re a rough bunch and a bad influence on you.”

I didn’t fully understand at the time and didn’t want to heed her advice. Those were the cool girls. The popular ones. I wanted to go where they went and do what they did. After all, what was wrong with that? I wanted to be like them—or at least I thought so.

As it turned out, Mama was right. I had to separate myself from that rowdy crowd before I got in trouble.

I’ve thought about her advice a lot over the years as I’ve looked back at all the people and circumstances that have impacted my life the most—some good, others not so much.

Let’s face it. We can easily be influenced, either positively or negatively, by other people. Money, fame, jobs, the environment, even the church. It’s a matter of where and with whom we spend our time and direct our focus.

The truth is Jesus wants to have more influence on us than anyone or anything else. That can only happen when we spend quality time with Him.

In the story of Mary and Martha, Martha busied herself making preparations for Jesus while Mary sat contentedly at His feet, taking in every word. When Martha complained about all the work she was doing without her sister, Jesus said:

Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her. (Luke 10:41-42 TPT)

Jesus wants to spend time with those He loves. That means me, and it means you.

Think about it for a moment. Who has the most significant influence in your life? Let it be the Lord.

Excruciating neck pain, nausea, and vertigo arrived with me as I entered the writer’s conference building. Chronic pain has been my constant companion for over twenty years. Flare-ups usually showed up when least expected. I knew I could not stay for the conference, but my husband was seven hours away. How would I endure this attack on my body?

Two dear friends and I enjoyed a wonderful conversation during our seven-hour ride from South Carolina to Florida. We were excited to fellowship with new and long-time friends at the event. We chatted about the various classes we wanted to attend and the authors we wanted to meet. The sounds of laughter filled the car as we traveled to the venue.

But the closer we got to our destination, the more my troublesome symptoms surfaced. As my body cried out in fear and trembling, I prayed to God for comfort and peace.

God answered by reminding me of His Word in Psalms 120:1. When we call on the Lord, He answers. God wants us to lean on Him in every moment. I prayed, and God heard my cries. When I am weak, God is strong. I did not need to fear.

I called my husband and explained the situation. He arrived hours later to take me home and to the doctor for treatment. God comforted me while I waited, and He never left me.

When we arrived home, I made an appointment with my pain doctor for the next day. I praised God for His mercy and presence before, during, and after the trip.

Think of ways to trust God when your physical body hurts. Thank God for His presence in times of pain.