Vulnerability as a Writer

Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. Matthew 23:3-4 NKJV

The main problem Jesus had with the Pharisees, was not about their teaching, but with their lives. Their doctrines were bullet-proof, unfortunately so were their hearts. As the writers and story tellers of their day their words demanded that others change their hearts without ever allowing anyone to have a peek into their own.

Yes, the Word of God is true and powerful, but part of the reason that we are touched by its power is that God inspired people – vulnerable people to pen its words. Paul tells us that He was the worst sinner, and a persecutor of Christians. John shares a private moment at the cross when Jesus asked him to take care of Mary, and Peter tells the story of being on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured. In the Psalms, David repents openly, loudly, and publicly, after his sordid affair with Bathsheba. Each of these writers left a mark on us, because we can identify with them, and are encouraged that if they could follow Jesus, then so could we.

So, I encourage you that the next time you open your laptop, or put pen to paper, stop and ask, “Am I revealing where I came from, am I writing about what I have personally learned, and am I willing to publicly confess my own sins and failures?” Being vulnerable is not just saying the right things, but it is being willing to reveal our joys, our failures and, our life’s stories and then, through our vulnerability God just may reach down and gently lift a burden that someone else is carrying.

Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com

Changing the Strings

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. Hebrews 12:11 NLT

I love playing guitar, and one of my favorite things is to sit alone and play worship music after putting on a set of new strings. But on the other hand, my least favorite thing is changing those blasted strings! One by one, the old strings must be unwound, then, after carefully pulling out each peg, new ones can be put in their place. Then, slowly and gently, each one has to be stretched till its sound equals the pitch pipe’s note. Finally, when everything sounds great, you play a few chords and -voila! = it is immediately out of tune! Yep, those new strings aren’t ready for prime time, till they’ve been played and retuned, over and over. Restringing my guitar today, reminded of the verse from Hebrews about discipline, and how God has been doing some needed restringing in my life this week.

I had used my busyness as an excuse and failed to keep my promise to visit someone. Though I probably visited a hundred people that week, I failed to listen to the Spirit’s prompting to make time in my schedule. “I will get there next week.” I thought. But sadly, my friend didn’t have another week, because yesterday he passed away. As I prayed in the room with friends and family, the daughter’s words of the previous night rang in my ears, “Pastor Pete, you didn’t come!” Yes, I am sorry, and yes, she forgave me and best of all, yes, he had prayed with her to receive Christ the previous week when I wasn’t there. The hands of God are turning the tuning pegs of my life today and unwinding old habits and stretching my heart, till it sounds more like Heaven’s melody and less like the world around me.

How wonderful God’s mercy, that restores and helps us even in our failures. For me that blessing came when I heard our friend tell us of her final conversation with her dad. Though he could no longer communicate his eyes looked around till he saw his daughter. Then, she held his hand saying, “It’s okay daddy. The sun is shining and there isn’t a cloud in the sky. It’s a good day to go to Heaven.” Then, just moments later, he slipped into the arms of Jesus, and those words will forever remind me that, God is never too busy.

My Heart is Such a Big Ship to Turn

While sailing through dark seas that toss
Through swirling waters deep with loss
In steps it starts to alter course
Not beaten by the hurricanes
But yielding to the pilot’s hand
Who holds the chart that points to land

Then bit by bit its heading changing
A slow repenting rearranging
Plans redrawn of love and worth
Slowly yielding without fear
With sails unfurled the skies grow clear
It turns and points its bow true North


My Heart is such a Big Ship to Turn
By Peter Caligiuri
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