Then we asked those elders

and spoke to them thus,

"Who gave you a decree

to build this house

and to finish this structure?"

...And this was their reply to us:

"We are the servants

of the God of heaven and earth..."

                       Ezra 5. 9, 11

(Live in such a way

that others are compelled

to ask why.

May they see God's Spirit

          dwelling in you.)

But we have the mind of Christ.

               1 Corinthians 2. 16

(Always countercultural,

always unexpected,

always full of grace.

This should look

            very different:

how I think about this,

how I respond,

how I navigate troubled waters,

how I behave,

what, why, and how I work.

Even in this.)

For the word of the cross is folly

to those who are perishing,

but to us

who are being saved

   it is the power of God.

            1 Corinthians 2. 5

(Grace is always countercultural,

God's Word an unknown language,

love as a first response

                      totally unexpected.

Live out His Word

   before those

   who do not yet understand.)

The LORD is my light

         and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is

   the stronghold of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?

            Psalm 27. 1

(The reason the most common words

in His Word are:

    "Do not be afraid. I am with you,"

is because God never intended

       for you to do this life without Him.

The LORD is my light,

    my salvation and my stronghold.

The LORD is.

Live in that reality.

God guides you 

   through the fog and hard places

   to build your trust in Him.)

Now to Him

who is able 

to strengthen you.,.

         Romans 16. 25

(He is able.

God never intended 

for you to go it alone.

How would I approach 

this differently,

what more would I do,

if I took Him at His Word,

         "I am with you?"

Follow Him through 

this impossible situation,

His strength 

       and His glory in this.)

Be strong and of good courage.

Do not be afraid or dismayed

before the king of Assyria

and all the horde

           that is with him,

for there is one greater with us

     than is with him.

With him is an arm of flesh,

but with us

               is the LORD our God,

to help us

          and to fight our battles.

                    2 Chronicles 32. 7-8

(Everyone struggles with something.

God offers victory

         in whatever we fear,

         both real and imagined,

most often in unexpected ways.

Live that way.

Pray that way.

What if there is nothing

           to be afraid of in this?

God will redeem.)

They shall see who have

    never been told of Him,

and they shall understand

   who have never heard of Him.

                     Romans 15. 21

(Why am I here

in this impossible place?

To bring His name there

and deeply root His grace

in unexpected words

and selfless deeds

and radically loving attitude.)