That’s it, we thought. We’re going to hell.

I survived band camp and came back for more each successive year until they had to drag me, kicking and screaming, off the field and onto my college campus. Though it’s true that voluntarily broiling in a Texan August does not compare to being clinically depressed, I do recall that sense of hopelessness and helplessness that almost drove many of us to quit. Depression is “extreme discouragement to the point of becoming disabled.” Hopelessness, as a symptom of depression, can cause the sufferer to feel defeated and paralyzed. While many of us may not be clinically depressed, a number of us have probably experienced something somewhere on the spectrum of depression. And while it’s easy to suggest that someone just “snap out of it”, getting to the heart of a despairing soul requires patience, compassion, and, above all, the help of the Holy Spirit.

King David, in the Psalms, reveals numerous manifestations of depression in his life. Read Ps. 42; 31:10; 39:2-7;77:4; 102:4,5. The Bible doesn’t stop there. God’s word offers an antidote to “catastrophic thinking” – negative thoughts that intensify and pull us down. We must remember:

1. We are made in God’s image, and God doesn’t make junk. (Gen. 1:26, 27; 1 Peter 2:9)
2. The world is a beautiful place, despite all the evil out there. (Philippians 4:8)
3. There is hope for a wonderful, amazing future for God’s children. Don’t give up! (Ps. 37:39)

The Bible also addresses some basic strategies for dealing with a downcast heart. Communication with God brings about peace (Psalm 55:17). Further, talking about the things that are bothering us or getting us down (or worked up) can help to relieve tension or put things into perspective. If we have some unconfessed sin burning a hole in our hearts, it will benefit us to take those things to God’s throne (Psalm 32:1-5 and 1 John 1:9). Consider the alternative to holding on to our sins and struggling over the associated guilt. It’s no wonder that when Jesus healed, He also forgave (Luke 5:18 – 24). We can also focus on the hope of a new heaven and earth – creation made perfect at Christ’s return. (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 21:2-4).

When it all comes down to it, we serve a God that created us in His own image. Thus, we have His emotions. He felt sorrow, grief, despair…He is familiar with the gamut of our trials. We are not alone in this struggle and we must cling to the hope that the One who made us is also the One who feels what we feel and can help us navigate out of the straits of despair.

DISCLAIMER (from the Adult Quarterly):

Of course, when depression is severe, it’s important to get professional help,when possible. The Lord can work through therapists to help those who are in need of special care. After all, regardless of your relationship with God, were you physically ill you would seek the help of a doctor or health professional. It’s the same with those who are suffering from severe clinical depression, which often is caused by a genetic predisposition and chemical imbalance in the brain. Thus, even Christians, at times, might need the help of professionals.

“He’s wears his heart on his sleeve.”

“She’s so mellow…”

Emotions. Sometimes we try to hide them. We associate them with butterflies and breaking hearts. When they become too overwhelming, we seek help and counsel. Ultimately, we all have them. To be “emotional” is cast in a negative light. Saying, “She is so emotional,” conveys a certain level of distastefulness. However, emotions are a key part of who we are. Identifying, managing, and expressing emotions appropriately are vital elements to our human experience.

This quarter, we will delve into the Bible and its truths as they relate to the spectrum of human emotions. Last quarter’s lessons humanized characters in the Bible – this quarter, we will look at how people in the Bible dealt with emotions in order to glean valuable principles for dealing with our own. As with anything else, the most effective way to deal with human emotions is to seek God’s will and leave them in His control.

Thankfully, we are seeking the expertise from a God who truly cares about us. Hebrews 4:15 puts it best:

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Looking at Jesus’ life, we see how His heart overflowed with compassion, broke with sadness, and ached with frustration. Yet, by His words and actions, we see a pattern for the best way that we can also navigate the sea of emotions.

Perhaps we can prepare ourselves for the discussion over the next 13 weeks by asking ourselves some very important questions:

1. When have I experienced hatred, sadness, fear, rage, or jealousy? How did I deal with those emotions at the time and how should I have dealt with them? How do I express joy, love, thankfulness, and compassion? Is there a way to turn negative emotions into positive ones?
2. How does my emotional state impact my actions?
3. Does the knowledge that Jesus experienced what I am going through strengthen the bond that I have with Him? If not, how should it?
4. In practical terms, how can I claim the promise that God will turn my grief into joy (John 16:20)?
5. How can I learn to cling to God’s promises when they might seem distant or unattainable?

The story of God’s intervention as a result of Judah’s depraved moral state unfolds in Jeremiah 7. The people were in steeped in all sorts of falsehoods, exploitation, idolatry, and hypocrisy. For the millionth time, it seems, God warns them of the consequences that will ultimately occur because of their actions. At the same time, however, through Jeremiah, He gives them an alternative.

But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. – Jeremiah 7:23

God always offers alternatives. He is constantly pleading with His people, then and now – pleading with them to choose life rather than death.

Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending [them]: Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers. – Jeremiah 7:25, 26

In verse 27, God basically tells Jeremiah that in spite of all the warnings and pleadings, the people will still refuse to listen and to change their ways. They will “not receive correction.” (vs. 28) Thus is the frustrating life of a prophet, it seems, to be sent to proclaim God’s word to people who people who, more often than not, will not heed it.

The point is that God has given us not only His Word but also very good reasons for trusting in that Word, even when we come to parts that we don’t understand or sections that offend our sensibilities. The Bible doesn’t save us, Jesus does; but He has revealed Himself to us more fully in the Scriptures than He has anywhere else.

Baruch enters the scene from the shadows of history in Jeremiah 36. God has once again directed Jeremiah to prophecy against Judah and bring to their consciousness how far they have deviated from God. Although God knows the future and what will happen, yet He gives us opportunity after opportunity to turn back to Him. In Jeremiah 36:3, we see God’s ultimate purpose the the ensuing pronouncement: it is His hope that the people of Judah will realize their wicked ways and will turn back to God. He, in turn, promises to forgive their sins. At this point, we get a fascinating inside look into how inspiration works. God speaks through Jeremiah, and Jeremiah tells his scribe, Baruch, to transcribe the prophecy. This was a painstaking and labor intensive process. Baruch is then instructed to take this very unpopular message to the masses in Jeremiah’s stead. Refreshingly, the prophet’s scribe does exactly what he was told and presented the prophecy in the hearing of the people (Jeremiah 36:10). Some princes of King Jehoiakim hear his pronouncement and request a private reading. Perhaps their hearts were stirred – perhaps they were convicted through the message. They thought it necessary to bring the message before the king.

Here is the point of conviction, the point of potential change. The story could have gone two ways. The king could have realized his errors, and the errors of the nation, in light of God’s judgement and made the move to repent. Instead, he showed blatant disregard for God’s word and part way into the recitation of the scroll, he slashed the parchment and threw it into the fire. Their hearts were not moved (vs. 24). Baruch and Jeremiah had already gone into hiding. Remarkably, God tells them to rewrite the scrolls and to try again.

And here we see Baruch, probably frustrated beyond belief and afraid for his life. What did he feel when he learned that his hard work had been so carelessly destroyed? How did the news of the king’s disrespect and ignorance cause him to feel? Did he throw up his hands in defeat at a people who obviously did not care about God’s Word?

God cares about His workers – those who follow His will and do His bidding. He reaches out to the dejected scribe and sends him a personal message:

You said, “Woe is me now! for the LORD has added grief to my sorrow. I fainted from the stress of all of this and I find no rest or consolation.”

Jeremiah, tell him that the LORD says this: “Behold, everything that I build, I will break down, and those things that I plant will I uproot, even this entire land. It is my prerogative to do so. Do you seek honor and higher status for yourself? One word: Don’t. Why? Because I will bring evil upon everyone. However, you have done My bidding and because of that, wherever you go, I will spare your life and you will escape from harm, even when the world is crumbling around you.” – Jeremiah 45:3-5, my paraphrase

Through Baruch’s experience, we are reminded of an important fact: despite bad things that may transpire in life, especially when we are doing what we know to be God’s will, God is ultimately in control and He will sustain us. (see Matthew 6:25-34)

i thought I knew you
a kind, benevolent father
a gentle teacher
an oil painting reproduced in my storybooks
a curious being
unable to be fathomed
too big to wrap my arms around
the author/creator of chaos and light

i thought i had you
nailed down to a neat little definition
folded up in my back pocket
ready to be savored
and then fluttered from my lips
whenever the questions began to rise
like water in a swollen creek

i thought i felt you
when the lights flickered
then died
and the ground shook beneath my feet
and someone screamed
and my heart shattered into a million pieces
when the tears were nothing but
salty diamonds

but then i heard of you
a whisper that slowly crumbled
the concrete encasement
an increasing pain that soaked
through the numbness
that stunning brightness that
finally woke me up

you faced death for me
without any hope of an easy
shortcut out of the dismal agony
you plunged into the void of the grave
not sure if you would make it to the other side
your cry of “my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken Me??”
echoed through the universe
rattled your dried-up ribs
and siphoned up the fear of millions of us
who were destined to die
you stared hell in the face
willing to go forward and disappear forever
on behalf of me
someone who you passionately loved
who was etched in your memory
who you refused to let go
you faced death for me
and my mind cannot comprehend it
my words
my offering
my tears
my gratitude
are worthless

i simply love you because you were not afraid to
defeat dragons
that desperately wished to tear me apart

Although God creates us as unique beings with distinct personalities and temperaments, experiences really shape and define who we are. After all, we know that trials and tribulations produce patience, perseverence, and finally, a hopeful character (James 1:3,4; Romans 5:3,4). This is what stands out to me about Hannah – her incredibly hopeful character.

“Why me?”

As readers of the ancient texts, we are privy to thoughts, internal monologues, and the backstage dealings of God. Of course, Hannah probably thought her barrenness was God’s way of punishing her. After all, it is quite natural to look at your circumstances and, based on all the data that you have before, make the call that there is a certain causality connecting your present state and something else that has occurred in the past. Hannah’s husband showers her with love, compassionately cradling her in her misery. Regardless, that seems to go little way to actually assuaging the incessant taunting from her rival sister-wife. Often, we look to people, things, and position to settle us or to give us peace when the only thing that can fill the gaping hole is God and His absolute certainty. What’s interesting to note in 1 Samuel 1: 5, 6 is that God is attributed with “closing up her womb.” While it may seem as punishment, God seems to allow specific things to happen (or not happen) so that His name may be glorified (see John 9: 1-3). In this particular instance, God obviously had a plan. It is interesting to see how Hannah plays into this plan, not as a helpless whiner, but as someone who ardently sought the Lord in order for Him to do something about her situation.

Sad No Longer

1 Samuel 1:18 is perhaps the most awe-inspiring verse for me in this story. After pouring out her heart to God and making that momentous promise to give up the son that she so desperately wanted, Hannah spoke with Eli. He heard her out and promised that God would grant her request. At this juncture, there are several things that could have happened.

1. “And she thanked Eli and went on her way, all the while questioning in her heart how he had known what her petition was and how he was so sure that God would answer it. Up until now, she had prayed every day for a miracle and nothing had happened.”
2. “And she kept his words in her heart but worried about what God would do, if He chose to hear her. She contemplated the possibility of God giving her a son years from now, or the event in which God’s answer was ‘No’. These thoughts circulated in her head and weighed down upon her heart.”
3. “And her heart leapt with joy at the words of the man of God, but she immediately squelched the hope with a healthy dose of reality. She was old, God was punishing her for something in her past, end of story.”
4. “And she politely thanked Eli, all the while carefully backing up to get back to her group. He was just saying those things to make her feel better, she thought.”

Thankfully, the story takes a different turn:

“And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more [sad].” – 1 Samuel 1:18

The words from the priest so settled her heart that she went back to the feast and ceased to worry or agonize over the situation.

Steadfast

Finally, Hannah’s promise to God is one borne from a faithful and pure heart. Hannah could have wheedled with God and tried to get out of her obligation when she finally had what she wanted. However, she was probably well aware of God’s omniscience and knew such a path would be futile. What’s crazy here is that all the socio-political/cultural/familial baggage of status melts away in the light of her commitment to God. It’s almost as if the entire world has disappeared and she is dealing with God one on one. Her song in chapter 2 is one of joy and a “knowledge” of God. Hannah loved her son – that much is obvious – but she loved her Lord more. Keeping her end of the bargain was ingrained in her being and she honored it just as God had honored His. I love that the Bible describes Samuel’s time at the temple as being “on loan” to God (1 Samuel 2: 20). Perhaps more than a coping mechanism, this possibly points to God’s acknowledgment that Samuel is still his mother’s (although he was God’s first). God honors Hannah’s steadfastness by enabling her to have 5 more children.

Hannah rises above the ashes of human standards – her character develops strength and resilience. Once depressed and weak, through her commitment to God and her faith in His power, her spirit was totally transformed into one that reflected trust and dedication. What a person to be!

How about in personal terms?

What is the true essence of being an Adventist?

What does it mean today as opposed to back in the 19th century?

Have things shifted? Stayed the same?

How should “Adventist” color an individual’s life?

What are the shades of Adventism, for that matter?

Does it matter?

Who knows?

Who cares?

What is an Adventist?

“I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin” (Romans 11:1).

Interview already in progress

Roman Times: Welcome back. If you’re just joining us, we’ve caught up with the Apostle Paul during his evangelistic crusade in Corinth. We’re discussing his gripping letter to the Christian church in Rome. Paul, before the break, you mentioned something about ‘secret disciples’. What did you mean by that?

Paul: Well, this is something that I’ve encountered as I’ve been traveling around to different provinces and visiting various congregations. I thought I’d mention it to the church in Rome because the issue seems to be increasingly universal. You see, as I’ve explained, it is faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that will be counted unto us for righteousness. We’ve talked a lot about the limitations of birthright and entitlement – no social cachet or perfect adherence to any law is sufficient. Here’s the curious part, though… I’ve noticed an almost “underground belief”, especially among those who have “something to lose” as far as status or prestige. Like the Jewish authorities who were watching Christ, these people may believe in Him, but they do not confess that belief [1].

Roman Times: Why not?

Paul: Obviously, they were afraid of what their peers – be it the Pharisees or the Jewish elders – would think. This is something that we can all relate to. That pride is deep seeded in our humanity – to believe is one thing, but to let people know about it something entirely different.

Roman Times: Well, why is it so important to confess this belief?

Paul: When we hear something that touches us and reveals itself to be the answer we have been searching for, something “clicks” inside of us, and we believe it in our hearts. “Yes,” we say, “this is true!” In the same way, grasping onto the truth of Christ and “believing” in the heart is the crucial first step. That is where righteousness begins. Now, the belief is put into action and that action is to confess it, to broadcast it, to speak it openly. For the scriptures say, “Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.” [2]

Here’s how I see it. Belief is not the end of the story. Jesus calls us all to be His followers and His disciples. Keeping silent about your belief in Christ contradicts His mission for all of us. To be secretive about your faith in the righteousness afforded you by Christ will most certainly crowd out your discipleship.

Roman Times: Ok, so confession or being outspoken about belief in Jesus is important. “Crucial”, as you say. You must appreciate that this is not an easy pill to swallow for the majority of us in the church here who are Jews. We are not evangelical to the extent that I think I hear you calling for.

Paul: Absolutely. Times have changed and will continue to change rapidly. The Christian church is growing by leaps and bounds, especially among people who we previously classified as “heathens”. These Gentiles are flocking to this curious new faith. What reason more do we need to “step it up” and be vocal about the good news of righteousness in Christ! For hundreds of years, we have been steeped in one mindset – that of being “God’s Chosen”. While that may still be the case, we cannot rest upon our laurels and rely on tradition to carry us through. It may be uncomfortable, but we have got to get out there and mingle. There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek for the same Lord over all is rich and generous to everyone who calls upon Him. [3] That is the good news that we have to share. I’ve been harping on this theme for a while now – God shows no partiality. We share in sin, we share in glory. Unity between our nation and our Gentile brethren is key to our success as Christ’s body.

Roman Times: There is no doubt that we want the movement to gain traction. But is being open about a belief that is so radical and so against everything that identifies us really wise?

Paul: As I stated before, our salvation comes from God alone. We must call on Him to be saved. Tell me – how then will Greeks, or anyone else for that matter, call on God, in whom they have never believed? And how will they believe in God if they’ve not heard of Him? And how will they hear without the aid of a preacher? And how will those preachers preach, unless they are sent? Those who proclaim God’s word and the salvation of Christ are blessed.[4] They are not ashamed because they know it is the power of God unto the salvation of everyone who believes. Jew, Greek – anyone who believes. We confess our belief for the benefit of others, even if it is unpopular. Isaiah struggled with this. Essentially, faith comes by hearing, and hearing comes by the word of God.[5] That word, gestating in our hearts, is birthed into words that will lead people to faith.

Roman Times: Well, you’d think with all the evidence and accounts and eye-witness statements, more people, Jews especially, would be spreading the news like crazy! Haven’t they heard the gospel?

Paul: And this is where I’m most concerned. It’s a conundrum, really. Not all have obeyed the gospel. Yes, they’ve heard the gospel. The witness and statements went out all through the earth and the words of the believers went to the ends of the world. You may ask, “But, didn’t Israel know and believe?” I would have to agree with Moses that this is not the case. [6]

Roman Times: Hold that thought. We’re going to take a short break and when we return Paul will explain what went wrong.

Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

- Romans 3:31

In Romans 4, we get a fantastic look at what it means to be justified by faith. Paul takes it all the way back to Abraham and, step by step, shows how it was Abraham’s faith, not his national identity or his merits, that justified him and made him righteous. This is key, because as we recall, Paul was talking to a mixed audience, one comprised of Jews and Gentiles – two groups who were at odds with each other. Nothing has changed. In the church today, we have split ourselves into factions that aren’t necessarily cultural. When one group compares itself to another and tries to outdo it, the easiest way to show dominance is to rely on merit. After all, adding up points on a scoreboard is a whole lot easier than getting to know the heart of another person.

“The sinner must come in faith to Christ, take hold of His merits, lay his sins upon the Sin Bearer, and receive His pardon. It was for this cause that Christ came into the world. Thus the righteousness of Christ is imputed to the repenting, believing sinner. He becomes a member of the royal family.”—Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 215.

In Romans 4:9, Paul explains “that salvation by faith was not only for the Jews but for the Gentiles, as well (Rom. 4:9–12). In fact, if you want to get technical about it, Abraham wasn’t Jewish; he came from a pagan ancestry (Josh. 24:2). The Gentile-Jewish distinction didn’t exist in his time. When Abraham was justified (Gen. 15:6), he was not even circumcised. Thus, Abraham became the father of both the uncircumcised and the circumcised, as well as a great example for Paul to use in order to make his point about the universality of salvation. Christ’s death was for everyone, regardless of race or nationality (Heb. 2:9).” *

A few hundred years ago, Irish writer Jonathan Swift wrote: “But will any man say that if the words drinking, cheating, lying, stealing were by Act of Parliament ejected out of the English tongue and dictionaries, we should all awake next morning temperate, honest and just, and lovers of truth? Is this a fair consequence?”—Jonathan Swift, A Modest Proposal and Other Satires, (New York: Prometheus Books, 1995), p. 205. *

In the same way, if God’s law has been abolished, then why are lying, murder, and stealing still sinful or wrong? If God’s law has been changed, then the definition of sin must be changed, too. Or if God’s law was done away with, then sin must be, as well, and who believes that? (See also 1 John 1:7–10; James 1:14, 15.) *

“In that age of caste, when the rights of men were often unrecognized, Paul set forth the great truth of human brotherhood, declaring that God ‘hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.’ In the sight of God all are on an equality.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 238. *

“If Satan can succeed in leading man to place value upon his own works as works of merit and righteousness, he knows that he can overcome him by his temptations, and make him his victim and prey. . . . Strike the door-posts with the blood of Calvary’s Lamb, and you are safe.”—Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, Sept. 3, 1889. *

Here are a few questions * to consider in light of justification by faith:

1. Considering the universality of the Cross, considering what the Cross tells us about the worth of every human being, why is racial or ethnic or national prejudice such a horrible thing? Why is it that so often Christians, who have the Cross before them, seem to forget this important truth and can be guilty of racial or ethnic or even national prejudice? How can we learn to recognize the existence of prejudice in ourselves and through God’s grace purge it from our minds?

2. Why is it so important to understand salvation by faith alone without the deeds of law? What kind of errors can that knowledge protect us from? What dangers await those who lose sight of this crucial biblical teaching?

3. What other reasons can you give for the continued validity of God’s law, even when we understand that the law and obedience to it are not what saves us?

* Passages, quotes, texts, and questions are excerpts from the Adult Sabbath School Quarterly for this week.

Lunch time found me traipsing down shady downtown streets with my co-worker in pursuit of a somewhat healthy lunch. The heat rose from the sidewalk and seemed to hover at waist height. We took our time, chatting about projects and upcoming vacations. In the near distance, I saw two young women in matching blue t-shirts. My first impulse was to cross the street to the other side to avoid confrontation. But I was with my colleague and she didn’t seem to be holding back a “fight of flight” impulse. So, I continued on. As soon as we came into the girls’ focus, the one in front stepped out of the shade and waved at us.

“Hey! How are you? Come talk to me – I’m awesome!”

No, this wasn’t a typical scraggly hipster-type asking me if I’d registered to vote while weakly holding out a tattered clipboard. This girl looked like she was on her way to track practice – around the perfume counters at Saks Fifth Avenue. Her hair was in a cute ponytail on top of her head and mascara perfectly accentuated each and every eyelash. Her friend’s stylish fedora framed her large smile and cast a shadow on the giant diamond studs sparkling on her earlobes. As we came closer, they sensed that we were slowing down and they moved in for the kill. How does one turn down the invitation to talk to the “popular girl” when she says, “I’m awesome…and I want to talk to you!”??

Within five seconds, it was clear that they were on a mission to get us signed up as card-carrying Greenpeace members. Of course, I’d heard of the organization, so I really didn’t need the speech. But Girl #1 kept right on going. Upon learning that my co-worker  was already a member, she gave her a high five and proceeded to tell us what Greenpeace was doing about the massive oil spill in the Gulf. There was nowhere to go and we didn’t want to seem rude. So, we listened. And, you know what? They were actually interesting to listen to. Personable, upbeat, engaging, humorous…they reeled us in. Before I knew it, I was agreeing to send Greenpeace $15 a month and signing on a dotted line. Afterwards, Girl #2 gave me a hug, saying that all new members got one (Girl #1 gave my co-worker a hug too since, apparently, old members get them as well). We walked away and waved at them like they were old friends. As we continued on to lunch, I could feel the conflict beginning to boil inside. How had I allowed myself to sign up for something like that – on the spot? How had they done it?

Then, naturally, my thoughts changed to how the work that the girls were doing was vastly different, yet the same, as the work that we, as witnesses of the gospel, should be doing. Was it possible, I thought, for a couple of church-going youth to stand on a street corner and engage passers-by in the same way that these two young ladies had? Seemingly, four key factors made their pitch successful:

Approachability: Even before we were within ear shot, we were able to read the body language of the Greenpeace Girls. They appeared to be having a light-hearted conversation and their postures were relaxed and fluid. They didn’t seem rigid, frightened, or prepared to dart into the bushes at a moment’s notice. They had the air of two friends chatting in the commons after class. Unassuming and “normal”, they didn’t attract unnecessary attention (besides the giant “Greenpeace” emblazoned on their shirts).

Confidence: I’ll repeat Girl #1’s line, as it keeps ringing in my head. “Come talk to me – I’m awesome!” Now, I don’t know if, exasperated after a long morning of rejection, she had just thrown caution to the wind and was now blurting anything that came to mind. Whatever the case, she exuded confidence. Her invitation told us that she was comfortable being out in the Texas heat and she was comfortable about her message. She had something to share and if we wanted to listen to it, great. If not, she was secure enough to know that someone else would walk up who would want to hear it. The line was so unusual that it caught me off guard…and made me want to hear how she would proceed. As they talked to us about Greenpeace’s mission and work, they looked us straight in the eye and smiled. It was as if we were having a conversation…and I didn’t even know them. I found myself listening intently, and instead of looking for an escape, I just wanted to hear them out.

Friendliness: The high-fives, the hugs, the little jokes and banter between the girls…all that made the entire exchange a friendly and upbeat one. There was no guilt-tripping, passive aggressiveness, or index finger wagging in admonition. As soon as Girl #1 found out that my colleague was Canadian, she grasped a hold of this detail and didn’t let go. She made an immediate connection with her, listing friends that she had in Vancouver (my co-worker’s hometown) and extolling the virtues of our Northern Neighbors. We were completely at ease now. I could have walked away, saying “No thanks,” but instead, I thought, “Why not?”

Conviction: Girl #1 gave us her best “sincere look”, complete with one arched eyebrow. “Listen,” she confided in us, “Greenpeace doesn’t pay me enough to stand out here in this heat. We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t really believe in the organization and the work they’re doing!” Now, I’m sure all the volunteers or staff are trained in their pitches, so I took this in stride. However, she seemed so sincere as she spoke – we could feel her genuine passion radiating through her words. As she continued, I could tell that she knew her stuff. I was impressed as she rattled off numbers and statistics and told of her experience protesting in front of the capitol building. The tempo of her words increased and the pitch in her voice elevated as she explained, from the heart, about how “the people” can fight corporations that do things to hurt the environment. When she was finished, I almost believed that my one little signature and 15 bucks a month could actually do something. Her conviction was contagious.

All things considered, I could just be the biggest sucker on the planet. That’s not the point. The point here is that this experience made me think about our work as Christians. When we witness – on a street corner, in a dorm room, or in the hallways at work – are we as effective as the Greenpeace Girls? In the way that we deliver the gospel, are we approachable, disarming, and open or do we repel people? Are we confident of our purpose and our calling or are we “still trying to figure that one out”? Do we open up our hearts and our arms in genuine friendship, or are we lurking about with a thinly veiled agenda? Do our actions stem from a deep-rooted conviction in our beliefs (intelligently reasoned, I might add), or do we just do things “because we’ve been told”?

While I still might have a hard time thinking of myself standing on a sidewalk and engaging people with the story of Christ the way these young ladies gushed about Greenpeace, I certainly think that we have a lot to learn from others in this department. May the day come quickly when we can draw people in with a starting line like, “Hey! Glad to meet you! Come talk to me – Jesus is awesome!”

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1 John 4:8

When I think of basic tenets of the Adventist faith, several things come to mind. The Investigative Judgment. The mark of the beast. The state of the dead. The Sabbath. Creationism and the age of the earth. These are all topics that make Seventh-Day Adventists unique and doctrinally distinct from our Protestant kin. However, maybe you’ve noticed this, too: it is so easy to get wrapped up in these details that our debates and well-meaning conversations may completely obliterate a basic fact. What is that fact? Salvation by grace alone? Adherence to the law?

Simply, it is this: God is love.

I am really struck by how little we talk about God’s love today. You know what I mean – sermonizing God’s love is seen as too “touchy feely”, “contemporary Christian”, and “void of theological substance”. “Sure, God loves us,” we seem to shrug sometimes. “Let’s move on to the more interesting topics like identifying the anti-christ.” When we do talk about the love of God, it is in the simplest of terms. How can we correctly describe something we can’t even wrap our minds around? What does this dying world, ignorant of its cancerous state, need right now? What is the only salve for its suffering? What is the only thing that can give people hope? It is the unquestionable, undeniable, ravenously passionate, jealous, stunning, all-consuming, unconditional love of God. When’s the last time you thought about God’s love for you in those terms?

Recently, I was on the gorgeous island of Kauai for a wedding. Sabbath morning, I sat in a little island church in Lawai and listened, rapt, as the Sabbath School teacher illuminated God’s love throughout scripture. I checked the lesson in my lap – lesson 13 was about relationships between people. How had she spun it so that the entire lesson was about God’s love? But yet, it made sense. I found myself stunned, as one who was reading an old unopened love letter from a relationship gone sour. Hearing the teacher speak ignited a spark in my heart as I realized, again, and for the first time, that God’s love:

• Compelled Him to create beings with whom He could share a relationship. (Gen. 1:27; Psalm 8:5; Psalm 139:14-16)
• Obligated Him to engineer a world suitable for our survival and sustenance. (Gen. 1:28-31)
• Bound Him to His covenants and promises to those that love and follow Him (and even those who don’t on some occasions!). (Heb. 10:16, 17)
• Drove Him to sacrifice His son for our freedom and salvation. (Isaiah 53:5 ; Heb. 9:28)
• Inspired Him to design a place for our eternal happiness and joy. (John 14:1-3)

Going back and reading the Bible through the perspective of a loving God, we should be able to see a Being who desires us so fully that He will do anything to have us. That love is the root, the foundation, of everything that we find in the Bible – from the creation of the world to the laws and statutes to the eventual death and resurrection of Christ. God’s love must be foundational in our dealings and teachings because otherwise, they are just senseless noise (1 Cor. 13: 1-3).

Where does that leave us? What does the knowledge of such a love mean to you and me? What should it compel us to do on our end?