Priceless Treasure Vs. Thirty Pieces of Silver

Easter season brings various parts of the passion narrative into focus. The pinnacle of the narrative is of course the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But interwoven into the narratives are various threads of reality that focus upon the people that surrounded Jesus as well as the frailties of humanity. We applaud the sacrifice of Mary as she anoints Jesus (Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 12) with expensive ointment. Jesus was more valuable to her than her precious ointment. Jesus responds to her action with appreciation seeing her action as preparation for his burial which was imminent. Judas especially (John 12:4-6) lacked appreciation for her action. He concluded it was a wasteful extravagance because sale of the ointment would have been better used in caring for the poor.

     Peter’s confession of loyalty to Jesus threads itself though the passion period. After Jesus revealed that he was going to be betrayed and all would abandon him in the immediate future, Peter boldly states that he will be loyal to Jesus no matter what others do (Matthew 26:33, 35). Later his good intentions unraveled. He did as Jesus predicted, and betrayed Jesus three times (26:34). Pressure and danger often transform courage into meaningless platitudes. Too often people are quick to condemn Peter’s naivete and boastful arrogance, but upon further reflection see a similar propensity in our own lives – our security is treasured more highly than Jesus.

     Judas is another person who appears in the passion narrative that often disturbs us. He has been a close follower of Jesus as one of his disciples. He observed the life and ministry of Jesus for approximately three years. He had been so much a part of the discipleship team that when Jesus said he was going to be betrayed, all the other disciples wondered if they were the betrayer. Judas was not on the top of the list as a likely candidate to betray Jesus (26:20-25). Judas had even risen to a position as treasurer of the group (John 12:4-6). He was the money man with a character flaw, an embezzler, who John describes as, “A thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it” (John 12:6). His material greed was driving him. Ultimately, after seeing Jesus’ reaction to Mary’s anointing, he concluded that the hope of financial gain was slim with Jesus. Attempting to recover some benefit from following Jesus, he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16). How many good beginnings and intentions are warped by greed that places material benefits above all else? Judas perhaps bothers us the most because we wonder what it would take for us to sell out our principles and loyalties.

     Greed is a powerful force that can easily control and destroy our lives. Socrates wisely concludes, “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” Judas was possibly captured by the prospect of Jesus being a king and how that would benefit his closest followers. Did he become disenchanted when he began to surmise that his vision of what the kingdom would be like was not the same as Jesus.’ He feared he had “hitched his wagon” to the wrong kind of king. Pilot even needed Jesus’ kingdom clarified, and Jesus stated it clearly, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John18:36). Too often people want God’s kingdom to be just like the one they are in – just supersized. Such thinking must be adjusted to become God-sized – the kingdom Jesus was offering.

     One of my favorite short stories was written by Leo Tolstoy, “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” The story is about a greedy peasant named Pahom. He is never satisfied with what he had and assumes if he has more land he would be. He goes through a series of land acquisitions and finally is confronted by a deal he feels is too good to be true or ignored. He goes to the neighboring country of the Bashkirs. The tribal leaders tell him that they will sell him as much land as he wants for a thousand rubles. There was one condition. He can only acquire the land he can walk around in one day, marking the corners, and making it back to the starting point by sundown. If not, the land and money are forfeited. He agrees to the terms. He begins his task of marking his territory at sunrise. He greedily continues making the dimensions larger and larger. As the sun sets, he is thoroughly exhausted and pushes hard in the waning moments of the day to return to the starting point. He reaches the end of his quest and dies. The Chief of the Bashkirs laughs as Pahom is buried concluding that in the end, the only land Pahom needed was six feet, from head to foot—for his grave.

     Greed blinded Pahom. Greed likely blinded Judas to abandon a priceless treasure, Jesus, and settle for thirty pieces of silver. That money was used to purchase the Potters Field where Judas was buried (Matthew 27:10). Jesus in a parable evaluates a rich, greedy man as a fool. “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:20-21). Jesus asked on another occasion, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Mark 12:36-37). Great questions Judas should have answered earlier in life – as should each of us! 

For Such a Place as This

We do not like being in dangerous places, facing difficult circumstances, or anticipating the potential of destructive outcomes. The events of this past year have highlighted the discomfort such elements produce. The nation has faced a pandemic, political unrest, financial chaos, and the emotional fallout that has left people unsettled. One thing is certain. People do not like the place they are in currently. How many have fantasized about being in another place at in a time like this?

     Would a place like this fit with your fantasy? A five-acre rock island 26 miles off the coast of Maine. Former inhabitants had soil brought out in bushel baskets in the spring and summer to pack into the clefts of the rocks so a few flowers could be planted to give the desolate place a touch of garden color.  Storms that pound the area are so massive that waves sweep over the entire island, and even structures at times, with a force that can move 75-ton boulders – not to mention the tiny flower gardens packed into the rocky crevices! On top of this, residents living there were occasionally cut off from any physical contact with another human for as much as a month due to storms in the region.

     Since August 25, 1830, this place was home to numerous families. In later years the Coast Guard took over the role of manning the lighthouse because there was a need for such a place as this. From this place nautical interests were warned of danger, provided direction, and offered assistance. Coast Guard keepers were ultimately removed from the post when the station was automated in late 1977. The place is still needed, but technology has replaced the human presence.

     The human element, however, is needed in the storms entering people’s lives. The wisest of all men according to his contemporaries was Solomon. He made a keen observation about life when he wrote, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Society has applauded rugged individualism but created a culture of loneliness. The CDC reports that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found “more than one-third of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated.” Often the individual one allows to enter their life is the “lighthouse” they need in their life’s journey.

     Perspective sometimes is lost as one faces life. It is sometimes restored when another person becomes the “lighthouse” in those dark times or a stormy environment. In the wisdom literature of the Bible we read, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). How often does one’s understanding become clouded, and another person shines a “beam of clarification” suggesting a reality that had been overlooked? Such is the case when Paul had to confront his fellow apostle and friend Peter with his hypocrisy. He had become fearful of other’s opinions of him. Paul testifies, “I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong” (Galatians 2:11). The “beam of light” in the form of a rebuke of a loving friend corrected Peter’s hypocritical distortion.

     Sometimes a person is a “lighthouse” of comfort and confirmation to a person who is unclear about life’s direction. The writer of Proverbs 27:9 concludes “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” How many times has a person floundering in uncertainty and confusion been encouraged by an affirmation or direction from another’s insight?  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe issues a great reminder, “Instruction does much, but encouragement everything." Encourage more; preach less.

     Jesus made it clear to his disciples that they were to be “lighthouses” of sorts in Matthew 5:14-16 saying they were the “light of the world.” What is desperately needed in these days are “lighthouses” of hope. Remember that lighthouses are not placed in comfortable, safe places. They are placed where they can impact those whose lives are in real need. They are positioned for service not convenience.

     Off the coast of Massachusetts there is another impressive lighthouse. Minot's Ledge Light has for over 150 years fulfilled its mission. It beams out its flashing light in a 1-4-3 flashing pattern.  Soon observers noted the pattern contained the same numerical count as the words "I love you." Whereupon the lighthouse was popularly called the "I love you" light. That is a message that God beams out to our world in chaos. It is the same message that He expects His followers to signal to a world in need of hope. They are designed for such a place – right where they are – to shine their lights declaring this hopeful message.   

Able to Deliver Us

About this time last year our nation and indeed the world was seeing the COVID cloud beginning to form on the horizon of history. As it loomed into our sight our curiosity was stimulated by a viral outbreak in China. Did we ever imagine what might be in store for our nation? Perhaps it was assumed there would likely be some sort of impact – hopefully slight. Did we wonder if this virus produces any unpleasant changes? People generally are not comfortable with change. Mark Twain correctly concluded, “The only one that likes change is a wet baby.” Yet this past year was all about change. It came rapidly, unpredictably, and in most cases inconveniently. Our nation has processed change but not always successfully as fears grew, annoyances blossomed, emotions frazzled, perspectives distorted, and uncertainty morphed into despair at times. As the last ticks of 2020 wound down people were heard saying, “Glad we are past that and can start getting back to normal.” As those aspirations were expressed, I began thinking, “Will we really get back to normal? Is normal really just uncertainty dressed in new kinds of challenges and adversity that must be faced?” Life as I have frequently defined it is a series of changes often interrupted by an occasional crisis.

     People are applauding progress in the battle against the COVID virus. They should. People have made extraordinary efforts and made countless sacrifices to address this horrendous pandemic. Yet the nagging question stands, “Have we taken a successful path, or will we come to the conclusion that there are multiple issues that demand our attention to arrest this viral scourge successfully?” Even at this date we are hearing that the virus has made some alterations to its structure that make the spread of the virus even more rapid. How many other discoveries will be made in the coming days that had not been considered regarding this nemesis? Does this mean we should cower in enclaves of supposed safety or placate our fears by denying the evidence that is being continually uncovered? Perhaps a better response would be to continue boldly, wisely, and intelligently to battle this formidable foe. Passivity does not defeat enemies; it only allows them to become more entrenched and powerful.

     What should our response be concerning this current reality? People are making their best educated guesses as to what should be done. Heeding their advice warrants consideration. Beyond this what might we do? First, do not become obsessed with what might happen in future days. Obsession can easily drive a person to an emotional paralysis where one is so overcome with “might be” thoughts so that “should be” thoughts are blocked. Then wise, necessary, and healthy actions are not pursued. Proverbs 26:13 pictures such a situation, “The slacker claims, ‘There’s a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!’” The person becomes so obsessed with the “might be” of a lion that his “should be,” laboring for his needs, is ignored and he becomes a slacker.

     Also consider realities and resources beyond what we are even aware as we face the challenges of life. Too often people are limiting themselves to seeing only human solutions to problems. We have heard repeatedly, “We need to follow the science.” There is a level of truth to this. There must also be a consideration that science is expansive and occasionally makes unsuspected discoveries beyond what was being considered. For example, consider the discovery a Scottish biologist, Alexander Fleming, made while investigating staphylococci, known commonly as staph. After a brief vacation, he returned and found a strange fungus on a culture he had left unattended in his lab — a fungus that had killed off all surrounding bacteria in the culture. He providentially discovered penicillin. Such cases underscore a verse in Scripture where the Apostle Paul describes how God often works, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). Just because a human solution is not currently available does not mean that God cannot providentially intervene in situations we consider overwhelming.

     Lastly, maintain confidence in times when uncertainty could shake our faith. In the book of Daniel three young Jewish men faced certain death in a fiery furnace. They responded to a command to worship a king’s image which violated their faith by saying, “O king, we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up” (3:18). They did not flinch because they trusted the God they loved and served saying, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us.” They believed their destiny was in God’s hands not man’s. How many times do we assume the need to protect ourselves or rely solely upon human solutions rather than to trust God who is almighty to deliver? As a result of their actions and their deliverance, a king who wanted to be acknowledged as god, recognized their God by saying, “There is no other God that can deliver after this sort” (3:29).

     In these tough times may we not obsess but rely upon divine providence and maintain an unswerving faith in an Almighty deliverer. As Elizabeth Elliot said, “Whatever dark tunnel we may be called upon to travel through, God has been there.” I would simply add, “And He is still there with you; you are not alone.” Trust your steps to a reliable and faithful God. 

Christmas Greeting 2020

Again, this update is a replacement for the traditional Christmas card. As with many of our family and friends we have replaced physical cards with electronic greetings. I trust you and your family are doing well. Our family wishes you blessings in the New Year! This has been the year of the COVID-chaos. All that we had anticipated in 2020 was altered, much like your plans I suspect. We had anticipated this year to be milestone celebrations – 50th wedding anniversary; Golden anniversary of our graduation from college; the graduation from high school of our 1st grandchild; etc. Several special trips were planned. Some events still happened, but looked very different than what we had first envisioned. 

     Our anniversary was celebrated on the shores of Lake Ontario at Sackets Harbor. The Gleason and Reid family met there for several days while living in separate accommodations. But we did get together for an anniversary cake, hiking, swimming, and lots of laughs. 

     Kathryn, our oldest granddaughter, had her graduation at a drive-in movie theater where she had the honor of giving the salutatorian address. It was a more interesting venue than a High School auditorium! Mostly we have had to lay low due to our PA governor’s imaginative mandates. Plan and cancel were the primary activities of the time. We had several brief visits with the Gleasons. It was not as easy to get to Andy’s because of required testing or quarantines. We had mostly driving day trips except for going for about a week to Letchworth State Park in NY. 

     Bob’s position as “Ambassador for Lancaster Bible College/ Capital Seminary and Graduate School.” was significantly altered due to the COVID regulations. He continues to preach, do conferences, mentor students, and interact with pastors and churches. He also writes articles for a local newspaper every five weeks and blogs for Calvary Monument Bible Church. He has been advising a number of churches that are working through issues related to the stress of COVID and serves on the Board of Directors for Calvary Fellowship Homes. He spoke at America’s Keswick for a week in August. It was a rather surreal conference as the Governor of NJ had placed so many restrictions upon the conference’s operation. Nonetheless it was a blessing to minister there and see the Lord work in lives. 

     Doris had planned to retire from officiating lacrosse after this Spring season. I guess you could say she had early retirement as the season was cancelled. She continues to be active with Child Evangelism Fellowship (teaching and board member), volunteering at Calvary Fellowship Homes, and teaching a ladies Bible class at our home church, and interacting with lots of ladies’ fellowships. 

Andy continues to teach in upstate NY. Teaching during this time is challeging. He maintains his sanity during this period by raising steers, chickens, and other farm products. Kristine homeschools Calvin, breeds labs, and maintains the vegetable branch of the farm. The children are involved many other activities making Mom the chauffeur until Kathryn got her license and her own car for transportation.

      Charlotte continues teaching at Carin University, Valley Christian School, and Veritas (online). Jamie continues to work with “Capture” (working with colleges to assist in student recruitment and marketing). Many educational challenges impact them. Their children too are involved many other activities—parents are on the run. All the families are active in their churches and it great to see their children growing in the Lord. 

Keep in touch! Email: bdreid1@verizon.net or Facebook (friend me!). Blog: reidsreflection.blogspot.com

Bad News Good News

In the late 60s and early 70s there was a television program called “Hee Haw.” This comedy show featured country music and humor set in the backdrop of the fictional rural community of "Kornfield Kounty." One of the segments of the program was introduced with a song "Gloom, Despair, and Agony On Me." Four cast members dressed in hillbilly clothes, holding moonshine jugs, and sporting gloomy faces sang, “Gloom, despair, and agony on me-e! Deep dark depression, excessive misery-y! If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all! Gloom, despair, and agony on me-e-e!” Following the chorus one of the hillbillies would state a humorous reason for their current misery and the segment closed by all his associates sobbing in an outlandish fashion.

     Perhaps this chorus ought to be played before every newscast in our current setting. The news that bombards our lives these days comes in waves of desperation as reporters broadcast gloom. One gets the impression that one reporter is trying to outdo a former reporter with an even more desperate scenario. At the end of the broadcast there is a miniscule account of a good news item. Is it a desperate attempt to inject a “news bromide” into the news program to placate the upset the gloomy news has created? Honestly, such reporting has our nation focusing upon all that is wrong in our country without acknowledging any of the many positive things taking place. Yes, there are challenges in the nation, but there are also many blessings bobbing in the flood of desperation that surround us.

     As we come to this Christmas season, we can easily paint the Christmas story as recorded in the Bible with warm fuzzies of wellbeing. However, the original Christmas account is surrounded by bad news. Politically things were less than rosy. It was a time of terrible tyranny. Caesar Augustus ruled the Roman empire (Luke 2:1). After a brutal power struggle, he was named by the Roman senate as Rome’s first emperor. They honored him with the title “Augustus” - meaning “the exalted one.” He wanted to be viewed as god, abolished the republican government, and became the supreme military leader and emperor of Rome. He appointed Herod the Great to rule in Palestine over Judea and Galilee (Matthew 2:1). Herod was brutal. One writer summarized his life this way, “His reign was one succession of monstrous crimes until his death.”

     The news is worse in the Christmas story. Socially it was an awkward time. A young couple, Joseph and Mary are engaged but not married. However, Mary is miraculously expecting a child (Matthew 1:18-21). Joseph as an honorable and gracious man, does not want to shame Mary and begins the process to “put her away secretly.” He is led by divine direction not to do this but to take Mary as his wife. One can be assured his honorable action did not silence the gossip. This was bad news for a young couple.

     Further, the news is troubling as Caesar Augustus decreed that this couple must make the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be registered for a census. It was an inconvenient time as Mary was near her delivery date. A bad time to make a journey of about 70 miles as the crow flies or likely a walk of 90 miles in a caravan (Luke 2:1-7). This was about a four-day journey likely on the back of an animal. Any woman who has had a child will assure you this is bad news!

     Compounding the difficult situation was the cultural decline because of the religious climate of the day. The religious situation was very divided in their Jewish faith. One party had become secularized as the Greco-Roman culture seeped its way into their faith so that the supernatural was regarded with contempt.  On the other end of the spectrum, an ultra-fundamentalist party marginalized the Scriptures with their religious systems and traditions. The Apostle John summarized the times in which Jesus was born as “darkness” and that Jesus came to shine “light” in that darkness (John 1:5).

     The song sung when Jesus was born was not, “Gloom despair, and agony on me.” The song sung in the presence of humble shepherds was, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14). The peace and goodwill were not based upon the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus. The peace and goodwill were a result of the message an angelic messenger had announced, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (2:10-11).

     Today we need to focus upon good news in the midst of a gloomy world. God always supplies bright hope in dark times if we are willing to see God’s provision in our troublesome settings.           

Daniel’s Perspective

 As I opened my email today, I rapidly deleted approximately twenty emails that were generated by various political parties announcing reasons that the other party is a disaster and should be avoided at all costs. They usually end their cautionary declaration with the statement something like this, “The future of our nation depends on you voting for us and not them.” I could almost imagine that if there were sound and graphics attached to the email, there would be sirens and flashing lights – anything to draw additional attention to their dire warnings.

     I have not opened any social media today because I am sure there would be a host of messages from “friends” equally concerned about the horrible political state of the nation.  They believe that I must watch an attached video or read a quote from some reliable authority.  This they claim will straighten out my thinking and help me gain clarity—mainly the clarity they have.  Or they will share some snarky witticism about a politician.  After months of this political barrage, I have grown weary of the mean-spirited deluge flooding my life with even more chaos.  The COVID-19 mess does not need reinforcements to unsettle the sanity remaining in a tumultuous world.  Perhaps I have adopted the Peanuts Charlie Brown philosophy, “I’ve developed a new philosophy…I only dread one day at a time.”

     Perhaps Chris Tiegreen gives an accurate summary of politics.  “Much of history is the story of contentious politics.  In today’s age of democracies, we see cycles of debates and disputes over policies and candidates.  Similar debates filled the age of monarchies and empires, not over who would rule, but how well they were ruling.  Some governments have been good, others have been bad, and by no means have any been flawless.”  Such a statement rankles our thinking as we seek perfection—especially in others who impact us.  We often dismiss that expectation of perfection for ourselves.  We muse, “We are only human!  What do you expect?”

     An individual recently posted an article on which he invited people to comment.  The article was written by a popular pastor whose followers hang on his every word.  After reading his declaration on how we should correctly see political candidates, I typed, “Daniel 2:20-21.”  The decision was to not give comments on candidates as this pastor did, but to give a perspective on who really oversees the political world.  Incidentally, the verses say, “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power.  He controls the course of the world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.  He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.”  My decision for these days is to focus upon who is in ultimate control of all things, not on who could or should be in power.  That perspective is both reassuring and insightful.  From a human perspective, politics is messy and confusing.  From a divine perspective, God reveals, “I’ve got this.”

     In the last 50 years one can observe that former generations were saying similar things as are being said today.  “This is the most important election in our nation’s history.”  “Unless so-and-so is elected our nation cannot survive.”  “If so-and-so is elected our world is doomed.”  Such statements are used to seed fear in people’s minds as a tool to influence their votes.  Former President Richard Nixon once said, “People react to fear, not love; they don’t teach that in Sunday School, but it’s true.”  Daniel’s revelation from God counters such fearful prognostications.  God knows the end from the beginning, and He lovingly knows what pathway is required to get us there.

     Is such an outlook fatalism or faith?  This can only be answered by evaluating our philosophical starting point.  If we believe life is guided by chance, then it is fatalism—we suppose whatever will be will be.  If one believes life is guided by divine design, then it is faith—we believe the God who loves us knows how to direct our world and care for us even in unsettled times and political turmoil.  Perspective is powerful in either releasing us from despair or submersing us deeper into despondency.

     Hopefully, you have voted by now.  That is the privilege and right God has given us in our nation.  What now?  Rest in the assurance that the chaos we see and the emotional concerns they generate can be viewed from a perspective like Daniel’s.  God is in control regardless of the political outcome.  Pray for whomever God will use in the coming days in our nation.  This is our duty as Paul indicates in 2 Timothy 2:2 “Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”

Living in a Cranky Culture

Is it my imagination or have people become increasingly cranky? Maybe I have become hypersensitive in this environment of an extended pandemic, racial injustice, and political nastiness. During this time maybe the cultural veneer of our nation’s character has cracked and the real us is on display. Car horns seem to blow quicker. Irritability is verbally expressed more sharply and more often. Patience – never a strong national attribute – has shortened. Smiles have become more infrequent. People’s greetings are acknowledged even less. Mistakes are magnified while gratitude for kindnesses are minimalized. You get the point. We have become a grumpy society basking in mistakes of others, while becoming emotional bulldozers in interactions with people. We have become a nation of nit pickers – and it shows!

     Emotionally current issues appear to have a major impact upon people. The NPR organization reports that “Nearly a quarter of the people in the United States are experiencing depression… That’s nearly three times the number before the COVID-19 pandemic began.” Why is this crisis causing more trauma than others like September 11^th and Hurricane Katrina? There are likely multiple factors. Dr. Sandro Galea, dean of the School of Public Health in Boston, reasons anxiety exists as people not only fear catching the virus but also the resulting economic implications. They are also seeing the emotional tragedy broadcast on the news 24/7. It seems like there is no place to avoid the layering on of bad news, new news, or questionable news. An irrational impression develops that this mess will never end. It is no wonder that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported in mid-August that “a significant number of American’s reported experiencing mental health symptoms during the pandemic – including depression, anxiety, substance abuse and thoughts of suicide” (www.npr.org). All this is occurring while Psychologist George Everly at John Hopkins University notes that the most effective way to manage stress – social connection within a community – has been neutralized by social distancing and required isolation.

 

   This environment has generated irritability. The American Psychological Association did a survey in July of 3,010 Americans and reported “Among the survey respondents, 40 percent reported feeling frustrated (compared to 30 percent in April and May), while 18 percent said they felt angry (up from 12 percent). Americans are, in other words, getting angrier by the day” (www.nbcnews.com). So, the guy who laid onto the horn the other day may simply be having a hard time dealing with the collection of crises that to him seems to be out of his control, and he is frustrated. The only thing he could control was his horn!

     Must we conclude this is hopeless? Should we just ignore the outbursts of our cranky culture? Do we retaliate and roll down our “emotional windows” and respond with a cranky outburst of our own? Perhaps there are some checks we could make that may neutralize some of the irritability and anger swirling around us. First, do a “self-focused” check. Jesus taught in Matthew 7:1-5 that we need to check on our issues – the plank in our own eye – before we try and correct flaws – the sawdust – we see in others. Too often when we are stressed by life’s circumstances, we bypass our reactions and focus upon how another has acted. These are tough days for more than us. Extend a little more grace to the overwhelmed person you may be encountering.

     Second, do an “other-focused” check. Jesus taught in Matthew 7:12 (NLT), “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” How many times would aggravations either diminish or evaporate if this principle were implemented. I loved seeing a news a report that displayed this attitude. Steffy’s Towing company in Ephrata found $32,000.00 in a car that was totaled. They returned the money to the owner and responded when questioned about their action, “"I would hope that if we ever found ourselves in that position somebody would do the same for us." What a change could occur in a cranky world if people viewed life in this way – “other-focused.”

     Last, do a “Jesus-focused” check. Jesus challenged his disciples right after he had washed their feet in John 13:14-15 (NLT), “Since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” When there is any doubt as to how we should operate in a cranky world, we have an example of how we should treat others. Look for ways to serve and care for them. How many stressed-out, cranky people would be transformed with such treatment.

     Years ago, I taught a children’s Bible club. One chorus the children liked to sing had these words, “Jesus, and others, and you, what a wonderful way to spell joy!” Perhaps when we encounter crankiness in our culture we can keep these words in in mind, “J stands for Jesus for he has first place; O stands for others we meet face to face; Y stands for you in whatever you do; Put yourself last and spell joy.” I have a strong feeling there may be some changes in our cranky culture if this chorus was implemented in real life!