July 16, 2025

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

The True

One Day

One day, Jesus walked up.

That is how a children’s Bible we use paraphrases John 1:29, which in the NIV version says, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him.”

The context is this: John has been telling everyone that Jesus the Messiah is coming—and that he, John, is NOT the Messiah. John has been preaching, and prophesying, and baptizing, and attracting a crowd. He has very much been the center of attention.

Then Jesus walked up.

That day, everything changed, and because John had prepared his heart in advance, he was ready for this pivot. John 1:35-37 describes a powerful-yet-often-overlooked subplot in the story:

“The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.”

One day, John’s voice was attracting followers to himself. The next, his voice was causing his followers to leave his side in order to follow Jesus.

It is a modern-day marketer’s worst nightmare. So much careful work to curate a following and to cultivate trusted relationships—gone in an instant! And yet, my friend, those three verses so aptly describe the goal you and I should share! Consider this question today:

When you speak, do those within the sound of your voice turn and follow Jesus?

We live in a world of attracting followers and, ultimately, attention to ourselves. It is a misguided mission. When you speak, those listening should be drawn not to your side, but to the Father’s. It is counter-cultural in every way, but “He must become greater, I must become less” (Jn. 3:30).

One additional thought to consider from this story. Note how John is simply in the midst of walking out his everyday assignment when Jesus just turns up. Scripture tells us this is how Jesus appears in your life, as well. You have “everyday” assignments plainly spelled out in Matthew 25:35-40. You are to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, befriend the stranger, clothe the naked, comfort the sick, and visit the prisoner.

To put it even more simply, your everyday assignment is to live for others. When you walk this out, the promise of verse 40 leaps off the page: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

My friend, Jesus may just walk up to you today in the course of your everyday life. It could be in the form of a friend, a foe, or simply someone in need. Will you notice Him?

You will if you, like John, are prepared in advance. Your mission is not followers of you. Your mission is that those within the sound of your voice will turn and follow Jesus.

World

Pressure on Putin

The United States is turning up the pressure on Russia both economically and militarily. U.S. President Donald Trump announced both planned economic tariffs on Russia and an increased supply of weapons for Ukraine in an effort to turn back the military offensive led by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The decision to supply additional weapons is a change in direction for President Trump, who expressed frustration over President Putin’s continued refusal to negotiate for peace. The tariffs are planned to take effect in 50 days unless a peace deal is achieved.

Analysis and eternal perspective: “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matt. 7:20).

We have followed this story of the war between Russia and Ukraine for some time now, and we have done so intentionally through the lens of persistently pursuing peace (Ps. 34:14). Over the course of that time, however, we have also consistently noted the absence of a desire for peace on the part of President Putin. To the contrary, Putin’s decades-long track record is one inclined to hostility for the purpose of territorial conquest. Therefore, it comes as no surprise he continues with a strategy of stringing along peace talks while continuing the military assault on Ukraine.

We should be in fervent prayer for both the Ukrainian and Russian people in the days ahead, as increased firepower signals the likelihood of even more hostility. There are millions of precious Image-bearers on both sides of the conflict who are reaping the consequences of Putin’s devotion to war.

Let us pray specifically that the Prince of Peace would fill the hearts and minds of those living in circumstances far from peaceful. May Jehovah-Shalom—"The Lord is peace”—make Himself real and personal to those ravaged by war, and may many come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through this very difficult time.

Finally, we should pray for wisdom for our leaders as they work within manmade governing structures to aim toward peace. May they truly desire peace and justice, and may their efforts and decisions impact our world to that end.

U.S.

Department of Education Resumes Closure

The U.S. Supreme Court has lifted a lower court’s injunction that had temporarily blocked the Trump administration from dramatically scaling back the U.S. Department of Education. The decision allows the administration to move forward with its plan to reduce the footprint of the agency—a plan that contains both elimination of programs and personnel as well as reorganization of certain programs to other federal agencies. The plan was set into motion by an Executive Order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon, “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education.”

Analysis and eternal perspective: At the core of this story is a debate about constitutional authority. The Department of Education was established by Congress in 1979 and can only be legally eliminated by a subsequent act of Congress. The President, however, as the chief executive, is responsible for guiding and administering the actions of all executive agencies. In this case, the President has chosen a path of emptying out the department as a first step toward “facilitat[ing] the closure” of the department. The lower court ruled this action was essentially the same as eliminating the Department, but the Supreme Court found the action to be consistent with the President’s authority to oversee the executive branch.

No matter where you fall on the merits of the Department of Education, there is cause to be grateful for the principle of separation of manmade powers. When America’s Founders created a constitutional republic that divided authorities between several powers, they were acknowledging a biblical encouragement to seek wisdom in a multitude of counselors (Pr. 11:14).

In this case, the Article I branch (Congress) has the power to create, fund, and eliminate federal agencies, but the Article II branch (the President) has the power to administrate the actions of such agencies. It is intentionally structured to create a certain amount of competition between the branches as a means to guard against perpetual growth of government.

There is a personal application for you and me, as well. We should be inviting trusted God-fearing voices in our life to test the strength of our decisions. This will absolutely—and necessarily—produce a certain amount of “conflict” in our decision-making. While sometimes uncomfortable, the result is confidence in the path before you (Ps. 27:11).

“Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors” (Ps. 27:11).

“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers” (Pr. 11:14).

U.S.

Strike Three

Major League Baseball is moving closer to replacing human umpires with an automated system for calling balls and strikes. This week’s All-Star game included limited use of the automated system and the ability of each team to challenge calls it believed to be incorrect. Proponents of the system hope it will lead to expanded use of the technology in the 2026 regular season.

Analysis and eternal perspective: This is a fun human-interest story, but it will also generate more controversy than you might expect! Avid baseball fans—Yours Truly included—are sure to have a strong opinion either for or against the use of the automated strike zone.

There is also a parallel application for your life and mine, and it is similar to the one we considered previously about a multitude of counselors. You and I need trusted and Godly counsel in our lives. We need those who are willing and able to call balls and strikes for us according to God’s Word. We need those who know His Word and know His voice to be willing to walk with us as we walk out His path for us.

Left to your own devices, the proverbial strike zone of your life is likely to grow (or shrink, depending on whether you take the perspective of the pitcher or the batter)! Take a moment now to consider who in your life should be trusted to carefully “handle the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

The Beautiful

Travel Light

Every seed of the dandelion is a mini-parachute just itching to be swept up by the wind. Your childhood memories very likely include picking a dandelion, blowing the seeds into the air, and watching them fly away.

The dandelion itself is remarkably resilient and can grow in unexpected places (often as an unwelcome intruder), but it is this capacity for easy and swift travel I invite you to ponder today. Because each beautiful seed of the dandelion is light and designed for riding the wind, its horizons are expansive!

You can be the same! Cast your cares on your heavenly Father (1 Pet. 5:7) and embrace the winds of life as they spread the beauty of the One who lives in you to the farthest corners of the globe!

In other words, travel light and fly far!

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