I visited a church in New York City recently and met three young women from Indonesia. All are graduate students and all are Christian—I know because I asked them. Indonesia is the largest Muslim nation by population in the world and the three students at church surprised me. O Sir, they enthusiastically told me, there are lots of Christians in Indonesia.

The world is not always as I assume. Abraham endured a similar experience. He moved to a new region and disingenuously introduced his wife as his sister. The ruse fell apart when the Lord appeared to the king and said, You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.

King Abimelek immediately confronted Abraham, who offered this excuse: I said to myself, “There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.” Big whiff by Abraham. His assumptions proved totally wrong when Abimelek wholeheartedly responded to the Lord.

I wonder who I discount as I make assumptions about people? It certainly pays to ask a few questions. Five minutes of conversation with those students in New York opened my eyes and encouraged me as to how the Lord works on the far side of the world. Now I want to visit Indonesia.

Lord, show me where I make cheap assumptions about others. Give me the humility to ask good questions and to listen carefully to the response. Slow me down and point out where you’re at work when it’s not obvious to me.

Genesis 20 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Trevor Hayes

At the end of December I took some time to look at the state of our long-term investments. I’m more of a “put the money away and let it grow” type of investor, although this year the “grow” part got lost somewhere. I’m hoping for better results this coming year.

I just read about one investment that sounds too good to be true. Listen to its description: Perfect, refreshing the soul; trustworthy, making wise the simple; right, giving joy to the heart; radiant, giving light to the eyes; pure, enduring forever; sweeter than honey and more precious than much pure gold.

What makes up this otherworldly prospectus? The words of Scripture sitting within arm’s reach of my chair.

The best stake I plant this coming year will be the time and energy spent in the Bible. Stocks may soar and the economy boom, but wealth never totally satisfies. In contrast, as the words of God sink deeply into our souls they slowly produce wisdom and joy and a sparkle in the eye.

The decrees of the Lord expand our lives and yield hope like nothing else. The words on the page aren’t magic, but they point us to the God of the universe, whose actions are better than magic.

Trustworthy, radiant, pure, sweeter than honey and more valuable than gold—that’s an investment to grab and not let go.

Psalm 19 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Markus Spiske

In desperation, people will do things never before considered. Jairus fell on the ground before Jesus in desperation—his little girl lay dying. Jairus pleaded, begged, abandoned all dignity in his effort to sway Jesus.

I wonder what Jairus believed about Jesus that day as he left his house? He’d heard stories of the healer. He worked in the synagogue, so he listened to thoughts from priests and religious teachers. But what did he believe personally?

As Jairus shot out the door he sought the only person who might possibly rescue his family. Whether he believed a little or a lot, he believed in the right man.

I also wonder what Jairus believed when he walked Jesus into a house full of mourners where his obviously dead daughter lay stretched out on the bed? What did Jairus believe when Jesus spoke, Little girl, I say to you, get up!?

When the little girl hopped out of bed and walked around the room (whenever Jesus healed a person, they enjoyed energy and health) I can guess what Jairus believed. A vibrant, can’t-shut-his-mouth Jesus fanatic blew out of that room. Jesus changed everything for Jairus, his daughter, and his household.

Which is a vital lesson about faith. Faith in the right person makes for life abundant, while faith placed elsewhere will eventually fall short. If I only muster a tiny bit of faith, it’s best placed in the hands of the Lord.

Then anything might happen.

Mark 5 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Annie Spratt