Treasures in Heaven

In one week, I encountered not one, not two, but three angry drivers. As I reflected on each one, I had to make sure I wasn’t in the wrong. In all three scenarios, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. One person tried to run me off the road as I wasn’t fast enough for him. (Most people don’t use the words “not fast enough” to describe my driving.) Another person, because I honked at his bad behavior, decided to start to pass me and stay parallel with me. I just minded my own business and didn’t even look at him. Who wants someone’s finger to brighten their day?

As I reflected today about the near misses I encountered on the roads, I recognized how grateful I was that God protected me from an accident. I realized my need for peace when I reflected on the close calls. This verse in Luke 12:32-24 came to mind:

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near, and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be.”

There are so many times I need the calming voice of Jesus and His presence to walk me through a trying situation. Here in this verse, I see that this “little flock”, is God’s flock. What safer place can we be than near Jesus? He is our Good Shepherd.

Like this verse, I find that I can seek out the wrong treasure when I'm vulnerable. I may look to people for safety, approval, or stability. I may look to things to satisfy. I may try to replay something in my mind over and over to make it true. I may even scroll through social media to find something that resembles something to satisfy me. When I choose anyone or anything outside Jesus, it never goes well.

I’m so grateful to be a part of Jesus’ little flock. This image is of a flock of sheep small enough that the shepherd knows each one personally and intimately. He knows us by name and our personalities, idiosyncrasies, and what each person faces. He knows our hurts, pains, and fears. He knows what brings us joy! It is Jesus’ pleasure to take care of His flock. He finds great delight in watching over his flock. He is always present, loving each of us perfectly. Why wouldn’t we want to know Him?

Let’s seek the treasure that will never fail. Our Good Shepherd wants us to loosen our grip on the things of this world and seek His Kingdom. It’s hard to follow Jesus in a very broken world. Everything seems to be shaking around us. Life will not be easy. Jesus invites us to reduce the things we treasure in this world and focus instead on treasures from heaven.

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

This Too Shall Pass?

There’s a difference between the person who has never had a kidney stone and the person who has. When you haven’t had a kidney stone, you say something like this: “Wow, that sounds bad! I hear those are painful!” The person who has had a kidney stone is more specific about their reality: “I thought I was going to die. The pain was mind-blowing.”

This last week, I experienced a kidney stone while swimming. I thought I pulled a muscle and after massaging the muscle, it seemed better. Things went downhill in the next few hours. I was alone at home and all at once, overcome by so much pain, I could hardly breathe. The pain was excruciating. I called a friend when I couldn’t get my husband. Thankful for both, I was able to get to urgent care and subsequently the hospital emergency room. After a long day there, I got released, armed with meds to sustain me.

Who doesn’t want out of their pain? All I could think of was “Help me with my pain! I can’t take it!” It’s only normal to want to be well. We want to be over what is bothering us. That’s only normal. There’s a great quote on Pinterest: “This too shall pass. It might pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass.” I guess it sounds like a good saying to post in your office, but I need a bit more encouragement than that. It sounds like massive pain is involved in that quote.

The phrase “this too shall pass” isn’t directly found in the Bible. However, this verse in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 seems appropriate for dealing with any time of pain, burden, or suffering we carry: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

For the believer in Christ, this verse says that temporary hardships will eventually pass and be replaced by something greater; essentially conveying the idea that “this too shall pass.” When we look at what is seen, all we see is the light troubles, even though it doesn’t seem very light! But when we look at the things not seen, then we can see and appreciate an eternal glory.

In our short time of distress and pain, the result will be God’s richest blessing upon us. Being human, we just want out of our pain as soon as possible. What if God is allowing the pain for a purpose? Not to just get through it, but to gain more of God in it?

Will all things pass? Things do not always get better. The Bible never suggests that life will get better if you wait things out. It says that “the things which are not seen are eternal.”  Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 had hope. He knew that every day he was being made more like Christ. He knew he had to see his situation considering eternity. He looked at what he couldn’t see. We would be wise to do the same.

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Shame

What is shame? Have you experienced shame? If so, where does shame show up in your mind and heart?

Shame often signifies a deep feeling of unworthiness or inadequacy related to one’s spiritual self. It frequently stems from the perception that one has fallen short somehow. It is usually a voice in our minds that whispers lies to us. Spiritual shame makes us feel like we don’t quite measure up. We feel like we’re not good enough. Shame is a deep-seated sense of unworthiness. You may feel like you’re not valuable and that people don’t like you.

Let’s look at Luke 5:12-15 to get a look at a man who experienced shame:

“While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ And immediately the leprosy left him. Then Jesus ordered him, ‘Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.’ Yet the news about him spread all the more so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.”

I can’t imagine what it must have been like to have leprosy! It sounded beyond awful! Can you imagine the shame? Can you imagine living in a place where when people saw you, they moved away from you, keeping their distance? People with leprosy were treated as outcasts and shunned by society. They were excluded from their families and communities. They lived on the outskirts of town as beggars. They were required to warn others not to come near them.

I love when the leper saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” (5:12) The leper didn’t ask if he could heal him, but if He was willing to heal him. Jesus gave this leper the divine gift of compassion and healing. Kristi McLelland writes “Jesus moved toward him, reached for him, spoke to him, healed him, and sent him to the priests to fulfill Levitical law.”

It's Jesus who made the man clean. It’s Jesus who makes us clean, by inviting Jesus inviting into our hearts and experiencing His salvation. Don’t be ashamed of Jesus; He’s not ashamed of you! Jesus is the healer of wounded and shame-filled souls. Psalm 147:3 says “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

You are a child of God, fearfully and wonderfully made. Your worth and value come from God alone, not from what others say about you or do to you. You are who God says You are. 

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Who's Safe?

You may have had your head in the sand last week if you missed the blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers. Luka Doncic was traded to LA for Anthony Davis, along with some other players. Luka was probably one of the most popular players in the history of Dallas sports. Dallas fans were not happy.

The Dallas Maverick franchise was built on loyalty, and respect, and treated players and fans as if they were part of a family. But Mark Cuban gave up his General Manager duties to a shoe salesman who was the one who traded Luka to LA. Fans were shocked, furious, and literally in disbelief. Luka seemed in shock as well. He thought he would spend the rest of his years playing basketball in Dallas.

Anthony Edwards, a player in the NBA, said “I’m scared…yeah, yeah, I’m scared. If my owner is gonna trade me let me know. When Luka got traded anybody can get traded at this point.” Nikola Jokic, another player, said “Seems like nobody’s safe, and probably should be that way, you know.” Devin Booker said “It’s crazy man. I really don’t know what to say about it. You just can’t predict it, it’s a business. They’re always having a conversation about you, so don’t think you’re safe at any point.”

I guess we should not be shedding too many tears for these guys getting traded. They’re super rich and can pretty much do what they want. However, wait. They're STILL human beings with feelings, friends, hopes, and dreams and a place they call home.

The truth is we can all struggle with feeling safe. Whether it’s feeling safe in our jobs, safe with our health, or safe with our education, deep down, we struggle too. We could be doing a half marathon one day and the next day experience a serious injury.

How do we find a sense of security and protection from the craziness of circumstances around us? No matter what life throws our way, we can find safety in Christ’s love. You and I are always cherished and loved by God. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we enjoy a personal relationship with Him. Jesus' love is unconditional. He will never trade you, leave you, reject you, or betray you. When we get that our identity and well-being are rooted in God’s love (not our exceptional work, title, skills, or popularity) we find a sure and safe haven in God’s love despite the external circumstances.

I love the words of Tabitha Panariso “We can be led into this life, not in fear of rejection, but in the safety of Christ’s love. We can live at peace with ourselves even when someone turns their back on us. We can come without our weapons to those who accuse us and reject us, fully believing that the Lord’s voice and authority forms, guides, and protects us.”(Loyal in His Love)

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Life is a Vapor

One thing we’ve learned from the recent California fires and the airplane crashes is the stark reminder that life is fragile. I still can’t fathom that my friend and her husband lost everything in the California fires. It was grievous to see the pictures of the young skaters and adults who lost their lives in the DC crash.

How do we deal with the brevity of life? Look at these verses in The Message:

“And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, ‘Today- at the latest, tomorrow- we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.’ You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, ‘If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.’”  (James: 14-15 The Message)

It's so easy to think that life will just go the way we want and we will miss the problems and tragedies. Yet this verse in James tells us that life is a vapor that appears for a short time and then disappears.

Did those people boarding the plane wake up that morning and even consider that this might be their last day alive? I wonder if my friends from Altadena at the beginning of the year considered they might lose their home very soon. Not at all!

Why do we think we can boast about our future plans? Do we plan our lives realizing we can’t predict the future? Do we comprehend the fragility of our existence? If anything we’ve learned this week is of the uncertainty of life.

But wait! This verse also speaks about the importance of humility and dependence on God. By saying “if the Lord wills” we are acknowledging that our plans on totally contingent on God’s will. We can’t rely on our abilities.

Finally, are we aware of our need for God? This verse addresses people who are super confident in their own power and future. They think they know best. What would it look like if you daily demonstrated a humble reliance on God’s guidance?

Does this mean that we quit planning? Not at all! Instead, we practice gratitude for each day we’ve been given on this earth. We plan with prayer, asking God for wisdom and the Holy Spirit to guide us to know what to do in His timing. As we partner with God, He truly wants to guide us all the days of our lives.

Prayer: “Father, there’s no safer place to be in life or in death- than in Christ. Because you’ve hidden our lives in Jesus, not a hair can fall from our heads, not a breath can be taken from our lungs, and not a beat can be missed by our hearts apart from your sovereign purposes and pleasure. And should I die in the next hour, my heart will forever proclaim, ‘My God has done all things well.’ I pray with great gratitude in Jesus’ most worthy name. Amen.” (Scotty Smith, Everyday Prayers)

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

People-Approval

 If you’re a Dallas Cowboys fan, you may have woken up over the weekend to hear about one of the most stunning hires in sports history. The Dallas Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer, the former Offensive Coach for the Cowboys. This hire seems to have infuriated most of the Cowboys’ fanbase. Many think the Cowboys are no longer serious about winning. Fans seem disgruntled, ready to give up on their team.

I’m just wondering one question. How does Schottenheimer feel about the lackluster fanfare he’s receiving? Can you imagine reading all the negativity about yourself in the news? How do you think it affects him when people say it was a trash move to hire him? 

Truth be told, none of us would enjoy receiving all this negativity. We so freely share our judgments about others, but the moment we’re judged? Different story. It pains us deeply to be judged. So, why do we treat others this way?

We all need freedom from living for the approval of people. Check out this critical verse in Galatians: “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

When we seek man’s approval, it is temporal, fleeting, and not lasting. People are fickle and can change their opinion about someone based on what they read or hear from someone else. Just think! We can base our opinion on someone knowing only half the truth! And we might be dead wrong. (For example, Coach Schottenheimer may end up being a fantastic coach!)

How does the fear of disapproval paralyze you from doing what you want to do? Schottenheimder said "yes" to the Dallas Cowboys coaching job, probably knowing the lackluster fanfare he'd receive. That took courage!

How can we seek God’s approval more than people? Seeking approval from people is enslaving ourselves to people. God says we can’t serve two masters. As we learn to be a servant of Christ, we become free from the suck of people's approval.

What if you were the new coach of the Dallas Cowboys? How would you respond to all this negativity? People will constantly change what they approve of ALL the time. Living for the approval of people sucks the life out of you.

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Throwing a Punch

Ben and I were watching the CFP Semifinal with Ohio State and Texas last week when something happened that surprised me. An OSU player, TreVeyon Henderson, was flagged for a 15-yard penalty for a shove to a Texas defender. The last I heard throwing a punch isn’t such a nice gesture. When he went to the sideline, I noticed a bible verse written on his eye black. What in the world was he thinking?

The verse read “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile.” (Romans 3:22). Of course, maybe you’re wondering like I was: Why would a Christian punch a player in the face mask? 

Isn’t our natural inclination to judge those who sin? I remember saying to Ben “Look at Henderson! He punches someone and then there he is on the sideline showing his Romans 3:23 verse for all to see!" And just like that, I show my hypocrisy.

Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” How do we interpret this verse? It means that ALL people are sinners and have not lived up to the standard of God. We may try our best to be a good person, but we still miss the mark. Note that the Greek word for ‘sin’ (hamartano') in this verse is “missing the mark.” I’m a sinner. You’re a sinner. TreVeyon Henderson is a sinner. We ALL miss the mark with God.

I’m so grateful that even though others will continue to judge, God forgives. Listen to what TreVeyon Henderson said later after the game:

“I spent some time on the sideline with the Lord asking for forgiveness and helping me to repent, turn away because that’s not who I want to be…. God picked me up in that moment….. I’m thankful for my brothers in Christ to pick me up and help me to focus on the Lord.” (TreVeyon Henderson talking about his unsportsmanlike penalty in the CFB Playoff Semifinal)  

Beautiful things can happen when we humble ourselves before the Lord and admit we were wrong. I loved seeing him speaking of repentance about his poor decision. I appreciate his boldness and honesty in sharing this on national television. Usually, we prefer to hide behind our sins and hope no one sees. We can live for years like this.

Fortunately, our sin is not the end of the story. Our perfect God knows our weaknesses and knows when we genuinely want to repent. He wants us to succeed in our struggle with sin. I’m so thankful that’s why God sent his Son Jesus, to atone for our sins- for your sins and my sins.

I’m so grateful that God loves each one of us personally. He knows you and sees you, your mistakes, sins, and weaknesses, and STILL loves you.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Groaning

As I watched the news about the growing California fires, my ears were piqued when I heard the city Altadena mentioned. A dear friend from my days in Southern California lived there. I reached out to her and the next day got the mind-blowing news. Their home was destroyed.

I can’t quite comprehend what my friend’s family and all those who have lost homes must be experiencing. What would it have been like to grab your family, animals, and sentimental stuff and run for your life? How do you respond when you hear that your home has been burned to the ground? How will you spend the days ahead finding some semblance of normalcy? I tried to put myself in her place and consider what it must feel like.

I sense when we watch horrific happenings like this, that many can question God. How could God possibly allow this? Where was God when your house burned? How could you say God is good? Why didn’t God stop this from happening?

The raw pain of what’s going on in SoCal will not go away anytime soon. The pain is so intense that it’s as if those suffering groan in pain. I think of Paul in Romans 8:22-24 when he uses the metaphor of childbirth to describe the pain of the world and the hope of new life:

“For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope, we were saved.” (Romans 8:22-24)

Let’s focus in on the word “groaning.” The Greek word for “groan” is ‘systenezai.’ It carries with it the sense of our cries of pain somehow joining together.(Doug Bratt, Romans 8:22027 Commentary) This suggests that we don’t groan solo. It’s both God’s creation and God’s creatures.

Thankfully there’s hope for our groaning. There’s hope in God’s salvation. There’s hope that the suffering and groaning we experience now is not the end of the story. There’s hope that one day the whole earth will be covered with the glory of God.

So, today, we run to God because He is God. He is sovereign over all the universe, and we trust Him to see us through. We pray fervently for our friends and family who are suffering right now. We show up and ask that God would carry those experiencing gut-wrenching groaning. And we care. We care deeply for those around us who are suffering. We pray. We don’t give up. We trust in God through the chaos and brokenness around us. We love deeply.

Lord, be near all those who are suffering and give them Your peace and hope.

“I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: ‘Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, He’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good-tears gone, crying gone, pain gone-all the first order of things gone’" Revelation 21:4 The Message

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio

The Unexpected

Directly facing a wrong-way driver was not on our bingo card for the Christmas holiday.  Ben and I were driving to the Y’s 5K Reindeer Dash on an early Saturday morning before Christmas. We both saw a car coming right at us. I swerved quickly and honked. The driver appeared unaware of anything and kept going. We were grateful to be unscathed, but the incident shook us.

As we enter 2025, I sense many of us have fears about the “unexpected” part of our future. You know, those things that we don’t plan for. The wrong-way drivers, terror attacks, serious illness, accidents, financial woes, and relational strife.

I’m all for planning for the new year! The new calendar is ready to go. But my calendar doesn’t list out the unexpected things that will come my way. The unexpected stuff can be downright annoying, extremely painful, very frightful, and potentially life-changing. How will you and I respond?

No matter what is going on in the world today or our individual lives, absolutely nothing catches God by surprise. There’s nothing I want more this year than to grow in my relationship with Jesus. I want to be more in love with Him, more dependent on Him, and more ready to trust Him in the uncertainties of life.

Jeremiah says these powerful words today from Lamentations 3:19-24: “Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. The steadfast love of the lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him.’”

What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you? This is exactly what Jeremiah was going through in this section of verses. God had brought judgment upon the nation of Judah. He promised exile and warned of judgment, but Judah had ignored those warnings. Now God promised to bring disaster to his rebellious people. There, before his eyes, Jeremiah saw Jerusalem fall. He cried. He expressed his grief.  He told God that His faithfulness is great at a time when he probably doesn’t feel it’s so great.

God calls us, like Jeremiah, to call to mind His great love and great faithfulness. Call to mind. We can easily forget that God is good and loves us perfectly and is ALWAYS faithful. We forget…especially when the unexpected happens. We naturally react to uncertainties, thinking WE have to fix things. We wander, just like Jeremiah!

God is calling us to live close to Him. Stop your wandering. There is always hope when you decide to trust in God. Jesus will be faithful to be there every morning with new mercies to get us through all the uncertainties that come our way.

His compassions are new every morning. Every single morning. Look for them.

Take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT0HcAr9aeI

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.