Why We’re Here - Martin Wiles

Should I pray, “Father, save me from what lies ahead?” But that is the very reason why I came. John 12:27 NLT

Our reason for existence sometimes takes time to discover.

As a child, staying with my paternal grandparents was second nature. When I was pre-school age, my grandmother was my babysitter. I rode with her in her 1930s green Chevy and helped her ring doorbells—though I never heard her say, “Avon calling.”

One day--then in middle school--while sitting beside my grandmother, I confessed: “I think God wants me to be a Bible teacher.” I had accepted Christ several years before and now considered why God had placed me on earth. Although it took cascading through some years of rebellion, I finally succumbed to God’s will. Sure enough, I became a Bible teacher and a pastor. God’s plan for me has changed and developed, but I’m still reminded of when I discovered why God placed me here.

Though God, Jesus was also human and, like everyone, had to discover why he was on earth. We can’t be sure when the Father revealed that, but he did. The thought of the cross repulsed Jesus, but he knew it was why he was here.

Above all else, we’re here to glorify God. He created us, and our thoughts and actions should reflect him to others by their purity and holiness. Jesus said we should let our lights shine so that others can see him through us and glorify the Father in heaven.

We’re here to serve God. Beyond loving him with our entire being—which Jesus said was the greatest commandment--we’re to love and serve others. Jesus even went so far as to say that’s how we serve him. Sharing God’s love is vital to our walk with him. We share by telling why Jesus was here, showing the difference he can make in a person’s life, and giving ourselves to him and others.

We’re here to allow God to form us in Christ’s image. Sometimes, we don’t enjoy the avenues God chooses to do that, but bucking him won’t yield the results he wants. Submission and obedience will.

When we live out the reason God put us here, we’ll enjoy life and live it fully.

Father, thank you for creating me with purpose. Guide me to live out your plan for my life. 

Tweetable: Have you discovered why you are here? 

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Saying I’m Sorry - Martin Wiles

Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive. Luke 17:4 NLT

“I want to apologize for disrupting your class.”

Teaching middle schoolers brings new experiences each day. I’m fortunate to teach in a school where normally the worse behavior problem we have concerns students talking in class when they should not. And this young man had. He’s a great kid, but he merely needed to learn there are times when you have to be quiet. I had endured more than I should have and finally assigned him and his talking partner lunch and learn.

The next morning—and the day of his sentence—he approached me with his apology. He didn’t ask me to let him off the hook, but took it like a man. I thanked him for his apology. I now have greater respect for him. I have hopes he will turn into a fine adult who will make a difference in his world. Whether his parents told him to apologize or not, I’m not sure. But he did, and that’s what’s important.

Although Jesus addressed the matter of forgiveness, apologizing still dominated the scene. Someone said it often because they had offended often. And no matter how frequently they apologized, Jesus said forgiveness was in order.

Apologizing isn’t easy. I’m sure it wasn’t for my student. It takes a great deal of humility to admit we’re wrong. While rearing my children, several occasions cropped up when I had to say “I’m sorry” for something I did or said. I hope it made me a better parent in their eyes.

Apologies make for good relationships. None of us are perfect. Mistakes are inevitable. Apologizing when we’ve wronged or offended someone establishes healthy relationships. Doing so causes us to exercise the practice of forgiveness, which Jesus speaks highly of. Not doing so leads to emotional and physical dilemmas.

Apologizing builds character by causing us to dress in humility. Apologizing when I’m wrong helps me remember I’m no better than anyone else. God created each individual. This, in turn, helps to build healthy self-esteem. Pride endangers and, according to the Bible, should be avoided. We are what we are only because of God’s grace.

Shifting the blame to someone or something else to avoid apologizing is easier than saying you’re sorry—but not healthier. 

Learn to say you’re sorry. You’ll enjoy healthier living, and the light of your life will shine brighter.

Tweetable: Have you learned to say, "I'm sorry?"

Prayer: Father, make us humble so we’ll find it easy to apologize when we’ve wronged You and others. 

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The Power of an Influencer - Martin Wiles

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. Matthew 5:13 NLT

“You got me where I am now.”

Cecil* came to our school from a school system where grammar wasn’t taught, and my job was to instruct him. Fortunately, he eagerly pursued what he didn’t know. His grandmother kept him primed even when he balked by having me tutor him.

After one year, Cecil surpassed his classmates in grammatical knowledge. He knew everything I asked him in class. He still missed an assignment here and there, but not because he didn’t know the material.

I left the school after four years, but returned one year later. Cecil had a habit of visiting the middle school hall even after he had entered high school. When I returned, I noticed his pattern was the same. My first day back, Cecil stopped by to say hello. Several days later, he stopped in again.

“What grade are you in now?” I asked.

“The eleventh,” he answered.

“You’re almost finished,” I commented.

And that’s when he made the remark I’ll never forget. Sure, his grandmother had told me many times how much he admired me and how much he appreciated my help. But he’d never told me . . . until now. Words wouldn’t come. I finally said, “Well, I’m glad I could have a part in making you who you are.”

Jesus said His followers were the salt of the earth. Not that He wanted us to influence or that we might or should influence. We do influence. The question is how good of a job I’m doing at influencing. After all, salt can kill just as easily as it can enhance and retard—perhaps easier. And once it kills, bringing back to life what it destroys is difficult.

Healthy influence must be purposeful. Influence happens whether I want it to or not. Just living and being around others means I influence them. But the nature of that influence, I determine. If I want it to enhance the good and retard the evil, I have to make concerted efforts, planning out my strategy.

I was lucky this time. I discovered the effect of my influence. We’re not always that fortunate. Sometimes we never know the difference we’ve made in a person’s life. Functioning as salt each day, however, assures we’ll influence someone who just might get to a different place in life because of us.

Never underestimate the power of your influence.

Tweetable: How are you influencing others? 

Prayer: Father, remind us that we continually influence others every day. 

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Flashback Friday - Confession: Good for the Soul - Martin Wiles

Confession: Good for the Soul

Saying “I’m sorry” isn’t the easiest thing in the world to do.

A recent teacher evaluation reminded me of this. Our headmaster’s instructions to the observers were never to score any teacher with the highest ratings in all categories. Doing so eliminates any room for improvement. Reading over the remarks brings me face to face with my weaknesses—which I don’t enjoy admitting. I’m tempted to respond with, “That’s not the way it was,” “I didn’t do that,” or “That rating was too low.” But in order to improve, I must admit my errors or weaknesses—in this case to myself, and then attempt to improve my skills in that particular area. Failing to do so influences my effectiveness as a teacher and in some cases could even affect my job. Read more...

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A New Normal - Martin Wiles

You have been wandering around in this hill country long enough; turn to the north. Deuteronomy 2:3 NLT

Monday morning arrived, and I couldn’t remember what I needed to do first.

For the last four years, I’ve had the same morning routine. My profession as a school teacher required me to arrive at school by 7:30 am. 

Now things are different. While I will keep office hours at my new employment, the hours are variable, which gives me more flexibility. 

My first morning was slightly confusing. Should I do things in the same order I once did, or could I rearrange them? I chose the latter but found myself confused about what to do first. I also forgot to do some things I had been doing with predictability for the last four years.

The trip from Egypt to the Promised Land was brief—or at least should have been. Stubborn rebellion by the Israelites’ caused them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until the rebels died. That’s when God gave them a new normal. No more wilderness. Now it was time for them to enter the Promised Land.

New norms can bring anxiety. 

The Israelites would immediately pass through territory belonging to the Edomites. While they were relatives, they weren’t friendly relatives. God reminded them He had been with them in the past and He would be with them on this new normal journey as well. God never forsakes His children when He leads them into new norms. His indwelling Spirit has the power to soothe our anxieties regardless of how intense they may seem.

New norms can usher in unprecedented victories. 

With a new fighting force, God would lead His children to capture land belonging to Sihon the Amorite and Og, king of Bashan. Along with anxiety comes victory. God doesn’t lead me to a new normal just so I’ll have someplace fresh to go. He has plans that will involve me in His Kingdom advancement.
New norms invite the enemy’s attention. Moses experienced victory, but because of earlier disobedience He couldn’t enter the Promised Land.

God has plans for victory by leading us to the new norms, but as always the believers’ enemy is at work to bring defeat. Honing my faith in my new normal keeps me from falling into the enemy’s traps.

Rather than being overwhelmed by anxiety, enjoy the new norms God brings you into.

Prayer: Father, help us to trust You when You bring us into new norms.

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