Whom we serve
I have a worn Bible full of fresh words and wisdom. The pages are marked with ink, tears of joy and sadness, coffee stains and exclamations, hope and highlights. The Bible is the most personal book I own, but “own” seems like the wrong word. The Bible is the most personal book. Period.
Early in my professional ministry, I was accused by a woman in the church of being drunk. She saw me trip in a parking lot and stumble toward my vehicle. Rather than help me, she chose to report me to my boss. From there, my boss gathered a committee, and I was put on trial — for lack of a kinder way of putting reality. I was dumbfounded, not by the woman’s accusations, because I could see where she might think that — I did look drunk. What astonished me was that no one bothered to talk to me; instead, people talked behind my back until I was considered guilty before I had an opportunity to speak. What hurt the most was realizing the woman who made the complaint saw me that day and didn’t help. Instead, she judged me.
I did not want to defend myself. I thought the complaint futile. But sitting before a committee, I shared the truth, even though I felt it was none of their business. I had not had alcohol for over a year due to taking a high-powered medication for a health concern. Mixing alcohol with this medication was prohibited. I tripped that day because the sun was bright, and I missed seeing a parking curb and almost fell onto my car. Upon explaining this to the committee, I could tell they were embarrassed by their thoughts and actions. As for me, I was sad and discouraged. As I left the church building and walked to my car, that was the first time that I felt like if I were not already a Christian, I would consider not being one based on what Christians do to one another.
That was a very long time ago, and God has since reminded me time and time again that my relationship with His son is not based on man’s opinion or approval. I am a follower of Christ, and I am saved by grace and loved by Christ Jesus who knows me better than I know myself and most certainly better than anyone else.
Upon reflection on that time, I realized it was ultimately not the woman fighting me; it was the devil. I was starting a youth ministry and was on fire for Christ. The devil wanted to douse me and drown me. Instead, the devil educated me on his sneaky ways. The woman and I became friends down the line, and we are still friends to this day. What a testament to how we need to focus on the real enemy.
Enemy. In my Bible there is a noticeable pattern of what I have underlined throughout the years. One word I have not underlined is enemy. As naïve as it sounds, I never thought I had enemies. It was not until this year that I realized I was wrong. I do have enemies. Even if I do not feel in my heart the same way they do towards me, I know some are fighting against me. Whether it be due to their unhappiness, jealousy, boredom, or thirst for power, some people would enjoy seeing me doused and drowned.
Maybe you can relate. Have you ever had someone in your life who would rather talk about you than to you? Is there someone who would rather cause you harm than help you? Who is opposed to you based on opinion or perception rather than truth?
I have found that when we are in the process of changing, healing, and growing stronger in our faith, the devil will do what he can to try to stop our progress. He will use people, tempted Christians and non-believers, to accuse us. He will attempt to take our healing and minimize it by reminding us of the size of our wounds and sins. And the devil will take our progress and try to plant seeds of doubt below our feet, wanting us to trip over his wicked snares. But God has given us something that the devil does not have in his arsenal: CHRIST JESUS.
May we lean heavily into the protection of the Lord and proclaim, “Leave me alone, devil. I have God, Christ Jesus, and the Holy Spirit on my side!”
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.
– Psalm 143: 8-12
We live in a world churning with hate, indifference, and dissatisfaction. Many are not only our enemies; they are enemies unto themselves. They do not like who they are, so they think we should not like who we are either. Do Christians sin? Yes. Every. Single. Day. I could give you a list of my sins — I know them full well. Does this list nullify my faith? No. I repent and turn from the worst parts of me, allowing God to cleanse me. I know I’m a forgiven sinner. God knows my faults and failures and still calls me HIS. Christ Jesus died for me and you, knowing every sin we would ever commit. And yet, Christ sacrificed Himself to set us free to live with Him for eternity. Thanks be to God. Because of God’s provision, not our perfection, we have the strength and courage to follow Christ daily.
Christians, hear me. We live in a world where the devil wants to destroy our testimony and trample our faith. Non-believers are paying attention and seeing how we treat one another. Please stop making it easier for the devil. Life is hard. In truth, it is often very, very hard. Rather than making life more difficult for one another, lift one another in brotherly and sisterly love. Focus on faith rather than failure, support rather than shame. Pursue peace. Close your mouth to gossip. Stop doing the devil’s work, and let’s get back to cleaning our own house so that we are a welcoming presence for others rather than a roadblock.
The Bible is the most personal book. It is full of stories of rising hope amid persecution. Today is no different in the ultimate struggle. Let us remain strong together: we need one another. May we be reminded today whom we serve.
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
Tiffany Kaye Chartier
SGLY, dear reader.
(Smile, God Loves You.)
Tiffany Kaye Chartier, Author 