Life Is Simple

"His mother said to the servants, 'Whatever He says to you, do it.'" ~ John 2:5

Humans are complicated beings. And as a result, we tend to complicate everything, often leading to confusion, stress, frustration, and ultimately stagnation.

But as complicated as we tend to make things, life really comes down to John 2:5: "whatever He says to you, do it."

That's why the Bible tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). God wants to know that He can speak and trust you to follow through.

It's also why the Bible tells us not to lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). He knows that sometimes you will have to disobey your own logic to walk in obedience with Him (Isaiah 55:8-9).

In all, life really is this simple: "do whatever He tells you."

God bless,
J.W.

Ball is Life

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to share a message I originally wrote for my wife's blog "Through The Eyes." You can check it the rest of her posts here. I promise you won't be disappointed.

To check out my message for today, see below.

God bless,
J.W.


Yesterday, Jeremiah was in the middle of our living room attempting to dribble his soccer ball to no avail. The ball wouldn't bounce for 2 reasons: 1) he wasn't in the right environment (outside on concrete) and 2) he wasn't using the right kind of ball (a basketball) that would allow him to bounce it. Noticing his struggles,  I said "Buds, why don't you get your BASKETBALL and try to dribble that instead?"

Undeterred, thinking he had all the answers, Jeremiah looked at me but kept trying to dribble the soccer ball. My response: "Or continue to do what you're doing and struggle."

How many times has this happened with our life? God notices that we are struggling because we're either in the wrong environment or we're using our life for the wrong purpose. So He gives us direction that will help us live our lives more effectively. But because of our pride and stubbornness, we continue to struggle because we're determined to do things our way.

Here's the deal: purpose is defined as the reason for the creation or existence of a thing. When people create products, they also create manuals and instructions that indicate the product's function. Only the creator of the product can tell you how the product is supposed to function.

Same with us. We all have purpose - the reason we were created (Jeremiah 29:11). But the only person that can tell us how to function correctly is our creator. The only way we can know we're in the right environment or using our life for the right purpose is to listen to the instructions of our creator.

If you feel like you've been struggling to bounce the ball of life, maybe it's because you're trying to do things your own way and aren't listening to the One who knows how your life is supposed to function.

If that's you, I challenge you to stop what you're doing and listen to your Father (Proverbs 3:5-6). You just might find that your struggle/burden becomes lighter (Matthew 11:30).

God bless,
J.W.

Wise In Your Own Eyes

This morning, on the Steve Harvey Morning Show, the “Strawberry Letter” was from a woman who had been living with a man for 26 years unmarried, and wanted to know if she should leave. In response to the woman’s letter, guest host, sports columnist Stephen A. Smith, claimed that the woman was lying to herself by saying she wants to leave. He said that, apparently, the man was doing something right for her to stay with him for 26 years, and insinuated that the woman stop focusing on getting married and worry about just being happy.
While, to the untrained ear, the advice might sound good, there are two problems with this response.

First of all, it’s not biblical. No matter what our society tells us, men and women should not have sexual relations with each other outside the context of marriage. It’s called FORNICATION and it’s expressly called out in the Bible for being against God’s will.

The second problem with this response is that it doesn’t address the woman’s main problem, which is that this woman has a serious lack of respect and esteem for herself. She clearly wants to be married to this man. That is why she is now contemplating whether she should leave. But, if marriage was really her original goal, she went about it all the wrong way.

Ladies, please know that guys will likely NOT MARRY YOU unless there’s some sort of incentive to. The old expression “why would he buy the cow when he can get the milk for free” holds true. Guys are hunters. We are goal oriented. And if we really like or want you, we will do whatever we must do to get you.

So, if you want to be married, please hold out until you are. If a man can’t wait for you and won’t make a commitment to you, then he wasn’t really right for you anyway.

But more importantly, Stephen A. Smith’s advice/opinion on the situation concerns me. As Christians, we must remember that we are called not to live according to our own wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and opinions, but rather that of God.

I don’t know whether Mr. Smith is a Christian or not, but what I do know is that he clearly didn’t consult with God or His word before giving his response. God gives us the Holy Spirit for exactly that purpose – so that we can decipher His will for our lives. So, when you’re giving advice to someone, please make sure it’s Godly advice and NOT just your own opinion.

God bless,
J.W.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-7