Critical Dimensions

In building the huge Arch of St. Louis, dimensions were so critical that surveyors had to work at night when the temperatures on all three walls were the same. Each measurement had to be exact. In pouring the foundation of either leg, a mistake of only 1/64 of an inch would have been disastrous. That difference in the angle of the top of each foundation would be multiplied until the two fingers reaching toward the sky would have failed to meet. All of the careful work was worth it, and the Arch today is a fitting monument to the opening of the West and the ingenuity of man.

Like the two towers of the Arch, faith and works reach toward each other. In church history, there have been miscalculations as to the importance of each. Some emphasized works so much that the Reformation had to call Christendom back to faith. On the other hand, mere faith is not enough, James said. Both legs of the tower must meet for the structure to be complete.

Theologians will continue to disagree on the proper balance of faith and works. While the battle rages, we laymen merely need to ask God's Holy Spirit to help us maintain a proper balance of faith and works. Faith and works can be combined in proper proportion, making our lives monuments of blessings.

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26 NKJV)

Love as the Sea

At sunset, a little girl sat with her father at the edge of the ocean watching the tide come in. The waves sent a sheet of molten gold across the dry sand, almost like a caress from the arms of the sea. In that magic moment, the daughter said dreamily, "Isn't it wonderful how much the sea cares about the land?" Telling about the incident, the father said, "She was right. The land was merely passive. But the sea cared--and so it came."

Caring costs. It means reaching out to help when others pass by.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV84)

As I read this morning's devotion, it caught me by surprise. Especially the part which reads:

"Most of us say to someone in need, "If I can help, please tell me." The loving person does not even ask. He moves to relieve the person's needs and touch him with his concern".

I say that all the time too but then this morning came to realize that Jesus just came in love to help us, even before some of us even acknowledged it; He did not have to wait for us. That's selfless love in action.

May we love like the sea which reaches out to the land
May we love like Christ who loved us even before we understand
Seeking out people to whom our hands could extend
And every broken heart and life to mend. ~ James