Dave Dishman

In the midst of turmoil, Jeremiah shared this word from the Lord with the conquered and downtrodden citizens of Jerusalem: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 

600 years later, also from Jerusalem, James wrote this promise to followers of Jesus enduring hardships and persecutions: Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Add another 2,000 years and the promises still apply. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to us.

How do we draw near?

James yields some clues. Humble ourselves and submit to the Lord. Turn from the sins we indulge, and allow God access to others we push to the deeper recesses of our consciousness. Resist the devil. Stop slandering one another. Pursue a single-minded devotion.

Humility carves a path for drawing near to God. I know myself. I’m not humble, and I cannot will-power my way into such changes. I must urge the Holy Spirit to empower me toward humility. The payoff is unparalleled. A future, a hope, and a life lived experiencing the Lord. Lord, create in me a humble core, and allow me to enjoy your presence as you draw near.

Jeremiah 29:11-13; James 4:8

Photo by Francesco Ungaro

A couple of years ago one end of a chain slipped off the back of a truck in western Colorado. As the truck sped down the highway the chain bounced along, launching sparks into the parched grass along the roadside. The sparks started a huge wildfire, shutting down the interstate in both directions.

Just as sparks set off conflagrations, misspoken words result in pain and frustration. James wrote: The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness…no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.

Our speech carries the potential for tremendous harm. Just scan the social media environment and wince at the nastiness. Some perpetrators hide behind anonymous accounts as they launch their arsonous attacks. But others need no such protection. They spout libel and foolishness, sparking fires of hostility, way worse than that chain bouncing down the highway.

How do I avoid adding to the cultural inferno? As much as I’d like to comment, I keep my thoughts to myself when it comes to social media. I love to discuss hard topics face-to-face, but not over electronic media. Too much room for misunderstanding.

More importantly, as one who follows Jesus I seek out the wisdom and control of the Holy Spirit. Jesus described the Spirit as our Helper, and where else do I need more help than with my words? The tongue is indeed a fire, and I find only the Holy Spirit douses its flames before they get out of control.

James 3:6-11

Photo by Marcus Kauffman

For a season my wife and daughter and I watched American Idol. I enjoyed the show, especially the expertise of the professional musicians serving as judges. They caught things my amateur ears missed. I always liked when Randy Jackson, a long time judge, cocked his head during a performance. It meant he was hearing something interesting. Randy then either praised the singer or coached them in a better direction, always thorough in his listening before giving feedback.

Unfortunately, I’m not always thorough in my listening. I make speaking too soon a regular habit. But life is much better when I listen to the end of the performance.

The Apostle James encouraged his scattered audience to develop an ear for listening: Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Quick to hear. The phrase points to habits of leaning in, cocking the ear, catching every word, and asking clarifying questions. The phone placed out of reach with its temptation to scroll. A good listener—attentive, interested, engaged and patient—makes for a strong friend and powerful confidant.

The Lord is quick to hear us, for which I remain ever grateful. We represent him admirably to friends and neighbors and spouses and children and co-workers when we listen to the end with them as well.

James 1:19-20

Photo by Eric Mok

Last year on a hike in the foothills outside of Boulder, Colorado, my wife and I walked up on a couple our age searching for psychedelic mushrooms. Rather evasive, they feared sharing their secret hunting grounds. Old hippies getting high struck me as comical, but these two seemed a bit unhinged (years of partying on shrooms probably had something to do with that). While most of us learn to think in a more adult fashion as we move through life, maturity does not automatically appear.

The Apostle Paul pushed the congregation in Corinth toward maturity: But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way…

Maturity involves setting aside adolescence with its mistakes, misdeeds, and mushrooms, and imbibing instead on the ways of Jesus. Always a struggle, we progress beyond childish ways through hard work and hard knocks. With the Scriptures as our blueprint and the Holy Spirit as our guide, we possess the tools for growth. Now is the day to stop chasing juvenile pursuits. Now is the day to reach for the prize found only in Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:13-15

Photo by Arman Parnak