April 16, 2025

Viewing all things through the lens of the True and the beautiful!

The True

A Decade's Burden

On June 19, 2011, my brother Isaac and I scrambled around a small pond in order to secure a view across it for the moment a 22-year-old kid named Rory McIlroy sealed his first win in a major golf tournament. He did it in dominant and convincing fashion, winning by eight strokes. McIlroy would win three more major tournaments over the next three years, and it seemed all but certain he was on a legendary trajectory.

Then a decade passed without another win in a major.

The kid named Rory is now a slightly graying nearly-36-year-old, and, while unquestionable still one of the very best in the world, has been constantly asked why he hasn’t won another major golf tournament. The questions have intensified after several close calls in which he has surrendered a lead late in a tournament.

The questions began to rise again this week at the 2025 Masters in Augusta, GA, as McIlroy made a bogey on the last hole to surrender a one-stroke lead. Those questions soon evaporated, however, on the first playoff hole when his birdie putt dropped, sealing his fifth major win and making him just the sixth player in history to achieve a career grand slam—a win in each of the four major tournaments.

You did not need to be a golf fan to see the visible impact of the victory. McIlroy tossed his putter, fell to his knees, and was wracked with sobs. It was clear the weight of more than a decade of pressure had been immense, and it had all finally lifted. It wasn’t so much elation from victory, but much more the escape from a heavy burden.

While I witnessed his first victory in a major, I do not know Rory McIlroy. But I do know the pressure I saw in his being over the weekend. I do know the sense of overwhelming relief that comes from having a tremendous and long-borne burden lifted. I do know the gift of being unburdened.

So do you.

You can relate to the moment Rory’s putt dropped and all the emotion and stress that had been long contained was finally set free.

You can relate because the burden you bore—just as I did—was one of sin and broken relationship with your Creator. You can relate because it was a burden greater than you could bear. You can relate because it is a burden that gets heavier with each passing day, and with each accusatory question about why you continue to fall short.

And you can relate not because you finally made the putt that silenced the questions, but because your Savior paid the price that silenced your accuser.

Your burden is lifted not because you finally figured it out and stopped falling short, but rather because the very Son of God stepped in and closed the gap between your shortcomings and the holiness of the Father.

He stepped in and gave a final answer to the questions hurled at you. He not only gave an answer, He IS the answer.

In retrospect, a decade’s burden on one of the world’s greatest golfers pales in comparison. You, my friend—and I—once shouldered the burden of permanent death! But it is no more! Your Savior has lifted it, and you are forever free!

Business

Tariffs and Markets

The wild ride on tariffs and in the financial markets continued this week as U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day “pause” on most of the newly levied tariffs for countries exporting products into the U.S. The major exception to the pause was China, on which the tariff was increased to 125%. President Trump later announced that phones and certain other electronic devices would be exempt from the tariffs.

The back and forth on tariff policy led to significant volatility in financial markets. For example, the S&P 500 lost more than 12% of its value in the four trading days following the tariff announcement but then gained about two-thirds of that decline back when the pause was announced.

Analysis and eternal perspective: As we noted last week, there is significant disagreement on the long term impact of using tariffs as an economic tool. Some, including the President, insist they are essential for maintaining a level global playing field. Others say they serve only to drive costs up for consumers. To add to that dissension, it remains unclear whether the tariffs are part of a sustained strategy or whether they are primarily being used to bring countries to the negotiating table.

Perhaps the lone point of agreement on all sides of the policy debate is that tariffs cause immediate price increases for consumers. It is on this point that followers of Jesus have an opportunity to walk out our faith.

First, as we discussed last week, if your hope and faith is set on the eternal, the current financial volatility will not shake your confidence. Your security is found in that which this world cannot reach.

Next, regardless of your view on tariffs, you know the current situation adds financial pressure to many in your community. Let’s leverage the impact of The Equipped family into this place of need this week by each of us searching out one opportunity close to home to ease a specific tangible need. Perhaps it is leaving a gift card in a mailbox anonymously, or maybe it is inviting someone in your community over for a meal (this option has the added benefit of relationship). Whatever it is, this week, our job is to choose one small way to ease the economic pressure on someone around us.

Your action might seem small, but multiplied across The Equipped family the impact will be significant (Ecc. 4:12)!

World

Tragedy in the Dominican Republic

More than 200 people have died and many more are injured after the roof of a packed nightclub collapsed during a concert in the Dominican Republic. Victims included several public figures, and authorities said it would be some time before an investigation would be able to determine a cause for the collapse. Local hospitals and health care providers continue to assist the many who are injured, including those still fighting for life.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Life on Earth is but a vapor (Jam. 4:14). It is a truth we have discussed before, but a story like this brings it into sharp focus. Your time and mine in these temporary bodies of flesh seems ample in one moment but can be gone in the next. This is a very disconcerting reality if you put too much emphasis and faith in the happenings of this world. You will be in a constantly uneasy place if your security is found in material things, or even in the breath that is in your lungs.

But take heart! While this truth is disconcerting if your faith is in the here and now, it is incredibly liberating if you live from the confidence of knowing that nothing in this present world can touch your promised eternity because of God’s great love for you (Rom. 8:38-39)! That reality should cause your confidence to soar as you live with a constant aim toward an eternal impact!

It should also inform the way you grieve with and pray for those impacted by this tragedy. Most of us do not personally know any of those involved, but we should stand in the gap for them by praying God’s comfort over them. For those who are injured, we should pray for physical recovery but also that this would be an opportunity to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

Life on Earth is short. Eternity is forever. Invest in eternity.

U.S.

Arson at the Governor's Mansion

A 38-year-old suspect is in custody and will be charged with arson and attempted murder after allegedly breaking into the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion and lighting it on fire. The mansion sustained significant damage, but nobody was injured, as Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were evacuated in the middle of the night along with their guests.

Analysis and eternal perspective: While a motive for the attack is not yet known, political violence has been a regular marker of our times. It is present on both ends of the political spectrum—this attack was on a Democrat official thought to be a White House contender while the current Republican president has had multiple attempts on his life—and it is incumbent on Jesus followers of all political persuasions to consider how we can combat it by being ambassadors of peace (Is. 33:7; Ps. 34:14).

It is a rare gift to be afforded the opportunity of self-governance. It is a gift that, yes, was paid for through the shedding of blood, but one that is to be preserved through the exercise of productive engagement in public debate. Political violence—no matter the ideological aim—does great harm to the pursuit of a free and flourishing society.

As Jesus followers, we should know this better than anyone. Jesus was wrongfully accused and had every reason to allow his disciples to quite literally fight back (Peter didn’t ask for permission but lashed out and cut off the ear of one of Jesus’ enemies). But quite to the contrary, Jesus told the disciples to put away their swords and then healed the wound caused by Peter’s outburst (Lk. 22:49-51; Jn. 18:10-11; Matt. 26:51-55).

This is an area ripe for your engagement and mine. Political divides run very deep in our day. You feel them, as do I. Their substance often includes impactful components worthy of thoughtful engagement. But as we grapple with substance, what if we also actively worked to bind up the wounds—both literal and figurative—of our political opponents? What if we actively advanced substantive arguments of merit while unequivocally opposing violent actions and rhetoric? It is a low bar, but the temptation to be silent can be very strong.

We can and should lead the way. We can do so by following the example of Jesus.

The Beautiful

Still in Spirit

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Ps. 37:7).

There is always a temptation to try harder, do more, and move faster. Take time this week to be still and wait patiently for the Lord. The result will surely be a glimpse of His beauty.