Author: Cheryl

By divine power, God has granted us everything we need to live a godly life. We obtain all this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself through His marvelous glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3

Cold, rainy, and extremely windy days call for indoor activities. Sunday afternoon was such a day, making a stroll through the Home Show at the local Convention Center perfect. However, I soon realized I didn’t need most of what was displayed for a new home. What caught my eye was the number of chiropractic practices present. I found it an odd venue for them, but I suppose they thought some DIYers might need their services after completing a demanding project. I won’t advocate for or against chiropractic care, but one booth intrigued me. Their entire display stood out from all the others, and the conditions they claimed to alleviate weren’t your typical chiropractic issues, like digestive disorders and depression.

I learned they had a non-conventional approach, focusing exclusively on two vertebrae in the neck. Essentially, they believe these two vertebrae are key to the health and well-being of the entire body. The premise is that if these two vertebrae at the base of the brain are misaligned, the nerve impulses from the brain are impeded as they travel through the body, leading to sickness and pain. When the vertebrae are aligned, the nervous system functions properly, restoring the body’s function and healing signals. I won’t judge their philosophy or treatment techniques, but I agree that things in our bodies or lives become unfavorable when they are out of alignment.

I have a friend dealing with an excruciating neck issue. The scans reveal that she has a small 3mm protrusion, and in her words, “to think that a slight misalignment could wreak havoc like this is unreal.” That’s a physical illustration of being misaligned, but what about the spiritual consequences of not aligning with God and His ways? That can be just as damaging and painful in our lives. When humanity does not choose Jesus as their Savior, the eternal pain they face will be indescribable. The scriptures provide us a glimpse, but I doubt our finite minds can even begin to comprehend the pain and suffering of an eternity separated from God. That’s one spiritual consequence of not aligning with God, but as Believers, our lives should showcase examples of misalignment and restoration—a process known as sanctification.

As Believers, the process of sanctification begins at salvation. “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor 1:30). We were set apart for God’s use (sanctified), and the transformative process guided by the Holy Spirit, commenced. Transforming our sinful nature into Christ-like behavior is a lifelong, progressive journey that won’t be completed until we reach glory. In my personal experience, sanctification is often painful. When we align ourselves away from God’s will for our lives or stray from His truth, chaos will follow in some areas. But just like a chiropractor guides the vertebrae back into alignment, the Holy Spirit does the same if we listen and obey.

The picture is not of a person I know. It is a generic picture used to show the vertebra in the neck.               

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms and there are grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!                Habakkuk 3:17-19

My friend walked through our front door carrying a single flower. It was clear that it was a fresh cutting from her garden, and considering our recent historically cold weather, it was an unexpected gift. The flower was stunningly beautiful. Her thoughtfulness in sharing it with me and its beauty alone brought joy to my heart. Then she told me the name. “Irrational Exuberance.” According to my research, and not because I possess a green thumb, I learned it is aptly named and is one of the showiest and most elegant variegated Camellias, blooming from late winter into spring. Before knowing anything about the flower, the name reminded me of the verse from Habakkuk.

Anyone within earshot of Habakkuk’s prayer could definitely have described him as exhibiting “irrational exuberance.” Being joyful (exuberant) and finding any reason to rejoice amid the circumstances would seem illogical and unjustifiable (irrational) to those around him. The prophet lived in a time of desperation and distress. Wickedness and oppression surrounded him. God revealed to him that the Babylonians were coming, and He would not stop them. The Israelites would be exiled because of their rebellion and refusal to repent of their sins. There were no clear reasons for joy to be found in those circumstances.

Much like we do today during trials and suffering, Habakkuk asks God why and how long he will endure his circumstances in the opening chapter. Peter says, “Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13). So Habakkuk should not have been surprised by his circumstances, nor should we. And there it is again. The unnatural human response to pain and suffering. Joy! And not just joy, but overjoyed; Exuberant! Christians should not be happy that the journey brings trials, heartache, and suffering, but we should view them with joy because of our hope and trust in Jesus. God did not leave Habakkuk hanging; He revealed to him the purpose of the suffering. He may not always explain why or for how long we suffer, but we can trust there is always a purpose. God is sovereign and is always at work. The unbeliever, during suffering, is consumed by chaos, bitterness, and anger because they see only the pain and not the purpose. If we remain in Him, steadfast and patient, He will use the trial for our good and His glory. That’s a promise (Romans 8:28-29).

My personal experience is that there is never just a single reason for pain and suffering because it is not lived out in this world in a vacuum. Our trials are interwoven and intermingled with the lives of others, and both Believers and unbelievers will witness our responses. Every trial allows us to seek God more passionately, know Him more deeply, and display “Irrational Exuberance” to the world amid suffering. That’s our witness, His glory, and your Tuesday Tidbit. 

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7

Two weeks have passed, but it is still the topic of conversation at the local hair salon, and most of the opinions are unfavorable. I’m referring to recent record-setting snowfall across the South. Our coastal area was not left out, receiving, on average, around five inches, bringing most everything to an abrupt halt for two to three days. I was in a lane all by myself when asked if I liked snow. But when I explained why, no one seemed to disagree.

There is nothing that equates to the peaceful quietness of a gentle snowfall. Other weather events that keep us indoors and hunkered down are loud, thunderous, potentially destructive, and dark. In an incomparable way, snow quietly falls, transforming the ground into a beautifully pristine, almost flawless palate. It always gives me a tangible vision of this week’s verse. Psalm 51 is David’s heartfelt confession to God after Nathan confronts him about his tragic choices concerning his sinful behavior with Bathsheba, including adultery and the contrived death of her husband, Uriah, the Hittite. 2 Samuel 11-12 has all the components of a modern-day NCIS episode with lust, secrecy, deception, lies, and murder. When Nathan confronts David, he takes full responsibility and offers his prayer of repentance to God, as we read in Psalm 51.

David was a man after God’s own heart and was wholeheartedly devoted to God. Was he perfect? Absolutely not! Not even close. If you look at his life, he broke most of the Ten Commandments at this one low point in his life. But upon being confronted, David recognizes he is a sinner and his sinful nature. As the king, he could have told Nathan he didn’t know what he was talking about and then put him in a place where he could not tell anyone else or have him killed. He was that powerful. But instead, the Holy Spirit opened his eyes, and he saw how far he had fallen and that he needed God’s mercy and cleansing. “For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight” (Psalm 51:4). David was deeply grieved because he had grieved God. His heart ached not because he got caught and called out by Nathan but because He knew he was thoroughly stained with sin and that only God could cleanse him. His plea for mercy, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from sin” (vs. 1), is rooted securely, one hundred percent, in God’s character of unfailing love and mercy and not in his own righteousness. He had absolute faith that, having asked with a contrite heart and willingness to turn from his sin, he would be forgiven and white as snow in God’s eyes. Would he be spared of the consequences, sadly not all of them? However, the only thing that mattered to David was that he would be restored to a right relationship with God. He wanted his joy restored (vs. 12).

The next time it snows wherever you are, I hope it will remind you of God’s infinite love for humanity and His desire to cleanse and redeem us no matter how far we have fallen. With that truth in mind, the peaceful, quiet scene of a snowfall, the cover of pure white beauty that hides the brown of winter underneath, and the joy-filled squeals of children making snow angels can bring new meaning to a snow day! And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is the front of our coastal North Carolina home on the first day of the snow.

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-36

The weatherman says it’s going to snow here in Wilmington, NC, and believe me, it is the talk of the neighborhood and the local TV station. A polar vortex is bringing a harsh arctic blast to millions of Americans, including those in the South. They say it could be a historic snowfall in many parts of the southern United States, and recommended preparations are posted everywhere. Growing up in West Virginia, I am no stranger to snow and cold. I’m in the very small minority of folks in our coastal neighborhood who enjoy the snow and don’t mind the thermometer dipping. While I love to stay indoors and watch it snow and make soup, the realistic me knows that extreme cold and snow are brutal. It’s brutal for people who work outside, for animals, and just getting out to do life is more complicated. Winter as beautiful as it can be; the brutality of it ushers in a sense of anticipation. The longing for brighter days, warmer temperatures, more effortless living, and that first green sign of spring.  

The Book of Esther is one of my favorite books in the Bible. Max Lucado writes, “In the book of Esther, it’s as if God, in his kind providence, heard all the prayers of all the souls who have ever been stuck in an arctic January. To every person who has longed to see a green sprig on a barren branch, he says, “Follow Me. I want you to see what I can do.” The brutality of life can bring the same sense of anticipation for emotionally weary people, the person surrounded by adversaries, outsmarted by fate, and outdone by fear. They long for the daily drama to bring refreshing news, to feel safely and securely encompassed by friends and family, for the wheel of providence to land in their favor, and for the gut-gripping fear to be replaced by peace. They search daily for the first bud on the leafless tree to bring a sense of hope that the long winter will soon be followed by spring. But where do they search? Do they choose the latest self-help book or podcast based on their dilemma? Do they google and read the recommendations from Reddit or Quora? Do they ask Alexa and hear the AI response? Or turn to secular-minded friends and family?  The list of sources for help is endless. But the Bible tells us clearly where that help should come from, “I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).

Psalm 121 is one of the “Songs of Ascent” sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem. As a weary traveler walks towards Jerusalem, he lifts his tired head and scans the horizon for the city that sits high on the hill. How much longer must he helplessly journey? How much longer will the lonely Arctic winter last? His gaze must move upward to search for Jerusalem because the answer cannot be found in the dirt path beneath his feet. The road offers different options for the journey, but only by looking up can the right direction be seen, and it avoids becoming lost in the wilderness. The world presents many opportunities to find help, but the Spirit-led answer can only be found by turning the pages of His Word.  The gaze continues towards the heavenly realm, past the Holy City, where the Lord of Lords and King of Kings resides. And the search ends, Spring has come.  Yahweh quietly whispers from the clouds, “Follow Me.” And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is of my West Virginia family farm, situated atop South Fork Mountain in the beautiful foothills of the Shenandoah Mountain.   

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” 1 John 5:3

As I write this, it is January 6th, Epiphany, on the liturgical church calendar. Epiphany in church history commemorates the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, represented by the visiting Magi. It is a day to celebrate God stepping into the world and announcing He came into the world for all people. He wasn’t done with humanity; He had a redemption plan, and that plan was and is Jesus! Epiphany is also seen as the official end of the Christmas season for some, myself included. The decorations are packed away, the cabinets are cleared of all Christmas treats, and the New Year has begun. Resolutions are made, goals are redefined, and reflections of the previous year are pondered. One of my resolutions is to be more aware in the upcoming year of seeing God in the little things of everyday life. I admit that amid this significant life transition, my eyes have been clouded with to-do lists, assimilating to a new lifestyle, and mourning the loss of the familiar.

Our guide made an interesting statement on a recent trip to the Bahamas as we approached the beach area. He told us that a “shark-proof” area had been made for our enjoyment. I can honestly say that I thought it was a joke. As we approached the beach, the breathtaking turquoise waters of the Bahamas stretched out in full glory, but our delectation of those waters would be restricted to a small man-made lagoon.  A rock wall had been constructed with small inlets to let water flow in and out freely. A rope line and buoys were anchored in front of the wall to ensure everyone knew that the rocks and the seas beyond were off-limits. A lifeguard or, more aptly, the “shark guard” was stationed on the rocks for an extra measure of safety. Not so much to watch for people trying to escape, which was almost impossible, but to watch for what might enter into the lagoon from the sea. As I marveled at the physical barrier attempting to keep me safe, I was reminded that God gives us boundaries to keep us safe. He stations the Holy Spirit in our hearts to guard it from an invasion, and He will always throw us a rope and a buoy to grab (but we must grab it) when we venture too close to danger.  

God’s boundaries are His standards for righteous living, given in His Word. Often, Christians are ridiculed for having too many rules and not being able to have fun. But nothing could be further from the truth. As Christians, our deepest desire should be to follow God’s way of righteous living out of love for Him and because of the sacrifice made for us. That is the only way to experience freedom and to enjoy the life God has given us fully. When we step outside of the boundaries because of selfish desires, we become slaves to sin. God’s boundaries keep us safe from ourselves.

The boundaries, with the help of the Holy Spirit, create a barrier that gives us the strength to resist an invasion of temptations that don’t align with God’s Word. But at the end of the day, we are all human and will need the rope and buoy to put us back within the boundaries when we venture too far off course. God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, and Godly wisdom from Pastors, family, or friends are our Christian journey’s rope/buoy system. I pray that in the upcoming year, you will experience the beauty and freedom of swimming within the waters of God’s boundless love and protection. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is of the safety lagoon on the island of CocoCay, Bahamas.       

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities-His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Romans 1:20

In this season of Thanksgiving, we are surrounded by countless reasons to be thankful. The sky shouts His name, and even if the season brings sorrow or our lives are plagued with trials, the sky alone should give us reason to be thankful because it is an ever-present tangible reminder of God.  Paul’s letter to the Romans offers believers a strong foundation for faith in Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving emanates from a strong foundation of knowing God and His attributes and forms the basis of all thanksgiving and praise. Our life’s endeavor should be to know God as a God who is sovereign, trustworthy, faithful, and good. The psalmist captures the yearning we should all possess, “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:1-2).

The word “good” seems too simple to describe God, and the auto-correct dictionary wants to replace it with many other synonyms, but good is the perfect word. As children, we learn God is good through the simple “God is great, God is good” prayer before eating. As adults, we read His Word filled with His goodness, we see nature that sings of His goodness, and our lives are a living testimony to His gracious goodness. We have much to be thankful for! He is with us in the trenches of life, and He is good. He is with us on the mountaintops of joy, and He is good. As believers, if we can grab hold of the simple reality that God is good, our perspectives on many of life’s twists and turns will change.

In Mark 10:18, Jesus declares, “No one is good except God alone”.  He doesn’t say God is the greatest or the most awesome; He says good. The Hebrew word for good in these passages is “Tov,” and the meaning goes beyond not bad or lower than great. It is a complete goodness encompassing not just moral characteristics of kindness and faithfulness and is often used to refer to God alone. God is the source of all things good and all good in us. God is good all the time, in all circumstances, and in all seasons. Give Him praise and thanksgiving for His infinite goodness. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.    

Though the fig tree does not bud and there is not fruit on the vines, though the olive crops fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in Yahweh; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18

Recently, I had the privilege of seeing and hearing teaching from Albert Mohler. Dr.Mohler is the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and has been recognized by Time magazine as the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.”  His sermons were powerful and enlightening, and many “notes to self” were taken, but I want to share a personal favorite from one teaching for today’s tidbit. The account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace from the Book of Daniel is a familiar Bible story for adults and children. I still remember the Veggie Tales video depicting the story that played hundreds of times in my home when the girls were little. The video and most of the children’s version of the account are geared toward learning obedience, especially to God, which can be rewarding but potentially costly. But there are other crucial faith-building lessons to be learned.   

As you may remember, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (the bad guy) invaded Jerusalem and took captive many Israelites, including members of Judah’s royal and noble families. Daniel and three other young men (the good guys) were chosen among other Israelites to be trained for three years, culminating in their royal service to King Nebuchadnezzar. The men were all given new Babylonian names. Daniel was renamed Belteshazzar, and his three friends were called Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Many things transpired during their time with the King; through all circumstances, the faithful Jewish men never denied their God, and in God’s providence, all the men rose to prestigious positions within the King’s territory and court (Daniel 1-2).

In Chapter 3 of Daniel, the call to obedience and faithfulness for our young Jewish men becomes a potentially costly public spectacle. Nebuchadnezzar erected a gigantic gold statue of himself and commanded everyone to fall down in worship when they heard the sound of every kind of music imaginable. And if the people did not, they would be thrown into the furnace of blazing fire. Everyone obeyed, but when the Chaldeans noticed that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not bowing, they took it upon themselves to tattle-tell to the King. Needless to say, the King was not a happy man, and he summoned them to his court. He first asked if what he had been told was true, but before they could answer, he leveled the consequences of disobedience and ended with a crucial question. “… And who is the god who can rescue you from my power?”

Their reply to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up” (Daniel 3:16-18). Notice they did not assure the king that God would rescue them. And there is the tension we all face in our faith journey between knowing God can change our circumstances and knowing He does not sometimes. They walked into the furnace perfectly willing to suffer a horrible death, not expecting a miracle.

They fully trusted God. And that trust had been built and determined long before the command to bow to an idol. We must trust God when the diagnosis is not good, the prodigal does not return, and the healing does not happen. Our faith and trust must rest on God and God alone, not because He can perform miracles. Because He can, He does, but even if……… And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.  

The picture is of the front cover of the Veggie Tales video featuring Rack, Shack, Benny, and Mr. Nezzer.

“For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children.” Isaiah 44:3

Last week, Hurricane Helena slammed into the Florida coast before making its way into the interior terrain of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The magnitude of the devastation is still being determined, and the death toll continues to rise. A no-name storm called PTC 8 (Potential Tropical Cyclone 8) buried Carolina Beach, NC, and flooded roads around the area just weeks earlier. Our county remains under a flood watch from the no-name storm that engulfed us over two weeks ago. A friend who lives in Carolina Beach texted me periodically to report that she was still safe, sending pictures and giving praise that her home remained dry. During one of our exchanges, I was reminded that I had met fellow Christians who believe the story of Noah and the Ark is purely fictional because they think it’s meteorologically impossible. The statistical report from this one-day storm proves Noah’s account of the flood is decisively possible. During PTC 8, twenty inches of rain fell in only twelve hours. That is equivalent to 952 million gallons of water weighing 8.34 billion pounds.  Watching the devastation unfold on TV and the amount of rain falling from the skies outside my windows, even if I didn’t believe in the infallible truth of the Bible, I would undoubtedly have to succumb to the fact that the earth could be swallowed by water.

These are two recent events in which flowing water, not stagnant water, has destroyed and reshaped not only the landscape but also the lives of thousands of people. Flowing water is living water; it doesn’t stand still. Have you ever stood on the shoreline of the ocean or along the banks of the river and been mesmerized by the life of water? It ebbs and flows with the rhythm of the earth. Much of the planet’s landscape has been formed by flowing water breaking down and destroying almost any barrier, including rock. Ironically, the same element that can devastate and destroy also gives us life and maintains our lives.

Jesus says that whoever believes in Him may come and drink, and out of us will flow streams of living water from our hearts (John 7:38). This living water is the Holy Spirit given to us at salvation. John 4:13 describes it as a “fresh, bubbling spring within, giving eternal life.” Living water, water that flows cannot be stopped- mountains, rock, and manmade concrete all have the potential to crumble. It has the victory. The living water within us has the same potential. By the power of the Holy Spirit, strongholds of the heart are broken, the power of the flesh is eroded, and the blood of Jesus Christ completely covers Satan’s condemnation. The living water radically and irreversibly changes the landscape of our lives.

Amazingly, this living water flows from us. Jesus Christ, the source of the living water, flows out from us to a dead and dying world. He chose us as His instruments here on earth. We are broken, flawed, and weak, but the Spirit within us gives us power, strength, and perseverance to proclaim His name and offer the opportunity to drink from the Living Water. Eugene Peterson interprets the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:13 this way, “Let me tell you why you are here-We are here, on earth, right now, wherever you are living, with whomever you are connected, to be the flavor, the color, the fragrance and the living power of God. You are called to be a Kingdom man or woman who releases the Kingdom of God into the kingdom of the world for His glory and to accomplish His essential purpose-the restoration of His creation, including all those who are made in His image.” We are here to share the Living Water. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is of Carolina Beach, NC, during PTC 8.        

God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and He blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for time is near. Revelation 1:3

Deciding it was time to stroll through Home Goods, I pulled into the parking lot. It seemed more crowded than usual as I scanned the lot for a free space. During the hunt, I noticed a large crowd in the center looking straight up. Because of the angle and my view from the car, I could not determine what had their attention. Finally, I found a spot and could see it as soon as I stepped out of the vehicle. It was an enormous American Flag flying from a fire truck ladder.  It towered high above the tree tops and the power lines. Folks were shielding their eyes from the blinding sun and pointing as they paid tribute. The day was Wednesday, Sept 11^th.

There is probably no one reading this post who does not remember exactly where they were on that infamous day over twenty-three years ago. The Home Goods detour was en route home from Bible study that morning. It was our first meeting, and we opened our scriptures to Revelations 1:1-9 to begin our study. The irony was not lost on me that we had just read and discussed the verse that says, “Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen (Rev 1:7). I joined a crowd looking into the clouds, remembering a day that brought tremendous sorrow to our country.

When Jesus comes, He will be literally surrounded by clouds. When Jesus left this earth, He was taken up in a cloud, and God said He would return in the same manner (Acts 1:9-11). And the best part of all, it won’t be a secret. The first time He arrived as a Babe in a tiny, obscure village with barn animals for an audience. But the next time He comes, it will be an entirely different venue, and the audience will simultaneously be everyone on the entire earth. It will be glorious for those of us who know Him and even those “that pierced Him,” referring to the Jews. They will be mourning because of the time lost, missing it the first time, their rejection, and the consequences that were incurred (Zch 12:10). The Jewish nation, by the time Jesus reveals Himself to them, will have turned to Jesus, accepting Him as their Messiah (Matt 23:29). Their sorrow will turn to joy.

Jesus is not coming in anger but to redeem His people. It will be a glorious day! This is the theme of the Book of Revelation, which concludes the story of God’s redemptive plan for humanity and the fulfillment of all His promises. Jesus will return to establish His kingdom, uniting a renewed earth and heaven. He will bring a world with no death, disease, or sorrow. And God will walk among His people. As a redeemed people, that is hope! On this one truth alone rests all other truths. Believe it and find joy today. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And He said, “Yes, it is written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that his message would be proclaimed in the authority of His name to all people, beginning in Jerusalem: There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent” Luke 24:45-47.

The number of times I have held an artist’s brush between my fingers can probably be counted on one hand. The visionary talent to put on canvas what can be seen in the mind’s eye using color and the stroke of a paintbrush is a gift. And one I do not possess! But with careful, guided instruction from a gifted teacher, what we can learn can be life-changing. At a recent Women’s Retreat Weekend hosted by our church, we were given the opportunity to paint our Road to Emmaus, the theme of the Retreat. The simple implements of paper, water, waxed paper, a paintbrush, and a pallet of watercolors, alongside the guided instruction of a master artist, moved the hands of the unschooled participants to create unbelievably beautiful portraits.  

In Luke 24, we find two of Jesus’ disciples walking the road to the village of Emmaus. Disappointment, sadness, and confusion consume them as they talk about Jesus’ crucifixion and death, and now the astounding report that His tomb is empty and resurrection. As they walked, “Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing Him” (Luke 24:15-16). When the unrecognized walking partner seems ignorant of the recent events, “they stopped short and with sadness across their faces replied, you must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that happened there the last few days” (Luke 24:17-18).  Before we are too hard on the disciples for not recognizing Jesus after spending at least three years with Him, the scriptures are very clear in every version of the verse that God concealed Jesus’s identity from them. It’s an important fact, and it causes one to wonder why. I believe there are probably several answers to that question, but one is that the disciples have yet to see Jesus for who He really is. God, in His perfect timing, orchestrated for them to have an “aha moment” later in the evening to serve His purpose.   

The scriptures tell us that Jesus strongly rebuked them for not believing all the prophets had foretold about His coming. Their shortsighted view could only see the need for a physical “redeemer” of Israel to save them from the Romans. That evening, as Jesus broke bread around the supper table, their eyes were instantly opened to who He was (Luke 24:25-32). There’s the “aha moment!” They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked to us on the road and opened the scriptures to us?”

The teacher instructed us to dip our crumpled wax paper in the paint and dab it on the page. I could not see how to create a picture of trees with a road, and my eyes were blinded and my mind constrained, just like the disciples.  I dabbed and dabbed a bit more and saw trees, sort of! But I could not see or visualize the road on the page. The gifted teacher showed me where to add more paint, following the pattern of how Jesus explained the scriptures to the disciples, and much like when Jesus broke the bread, the road was instantly visible! My eyes could see it. I was astounded and amazed by what I saw on the page, produced by crumpled paper, much like our winkled lives here on earth. Give praise that Jesus opens the scriptures to us and redeems our crumpled lives in ways that still stun and awe us today.  And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.