A Norvell Note – Page 21 – Thoughts and reflections on God, life, people, and living as a follower of Jesus.

Agents of Life

A Norvell Note forthe week of October 12, 2020

Vol. 23 No. 28

While reading in the Gospel of John, I came across a sticky note at the beginning of chapter 11. That’s the chapter where Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, has died. Jesus shows up, weeps for, and with the people, then brings Lazarus back to life. The sticky note reads: “Agents of life in a world of death.”

The quote is from a sermon I heard a few years ago (Thanks Josh Graves) before I began working in hospice care as an encouragement to be life-giving people in our communities. Now it speaks more directly to my role in the lives of my patients and their families. I am an agent of life in a world of death.

During this season of political and social, and the number of deaths from the Coronavirus has surpassed 210,000, we all can be agents of life in a world of death.

We can be agents of life in a world of death with our words. We can speak the truth, speak clearly, speak with kindness.

We can be agents of life in a world of death with our actions. “Act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with your God.”

We can be agents of life in a world of death with our presence. This message continually rings in my ears: Be present. Live in the now. Be where you are.

Being agents of life in a world of death is both a challenge and an honor. To think that our words, actions, and physical presence can make a positive difference is what being a follower of Jesus is all about. It is what being human is all about.

As you go about your day, remember you are an agent of life in a world of death. Give life. Give hope.

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Listen and Be Present

The week of October 5, 2020 Vol. 23 No. 27

Hello. How have you been?

After twenty plus years of writing and sharing A Norvell Note, it was strange not to do that for three months. I hope you have been well during these last three months that you and your loved ones are healthy and that you are thriving more than just surviving these strange, stressful, and sometimes troubling times.

What have I been doing for the last three months? I have intentionally tried to be quiet and listen.

I have listened to podcasts, Scripture reading, sermons, counselors, doctors, newscasts, family, friends, music, nature, body, and mind. More than anything or anyone, I’ve tried to listen to the Lord.

I have listened for wisdom in how I can improve A Norvell Note. As we re-start or re-open, you won’t notice any significant difference, but hopefully, better things are ahead.

I have listened for wisdom on understanding what we are experiencing during this time of isolation due to the pandemic, social unrest, personal and political polarization, and the overall sense of confusion that permeates our world. I have not attained great or profound revelations, but I know that God is aware of everything, He is not afraid or confused, and He is very present with us in our journey. That has not changed.

I have listened for wisdom to know what I need to do and be during these strange days. The understanding that has come to me has come clearly and often from multiple sources: Be present. That may seem simplistic, but it has been invaluable. Be present and live in the moment. Stop trying to live in what was or what might be. My family needs me to be present. I need to be present with my friends. I must be present in my work. It is okay and right to be present with me.

So, three months have passed since I last shared my thoughts with you. I hope I a little bit wiser and better equipped with the tools to share my understanding of God and what it means to live as a follower of Jesus in these challenging times. It’s good to be back, and I hope you will continue to read and share your comments with me. My email is tomorvell@mac.com.

I’m Taking a Break

The first week of July 2020

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29, NIV)

I have decided to follow my advice based on this text from last week and take a break. A three-month sabbatical from writing A Norvell Note. No, I don’t have COVID-19, or any other serious disease, as far as I know. But, I am weary and burdened, and I need to rest my mind and be with Jesus.

I hope to see you again in October. In the meantime, be well and listen to the wisdom from Andrew Peterson: Be Kind To Yourself.

When You Don’t Know What Else to Do

Vol. 22 No. 25 The week of June 28, 2020

When You Don’t Know What Else to Do

Where do you go when you don’t know where else to go? What do you do when you don’t know what else to do?

With the resurgence of increased COVID cases, rising unemployment rates, and heightened racial tensions, we are all searching for answers and looking for guidance.

For the weary, the confused, and those who are starting to feel hopeless, I offer these words from Jesus.

As tired as we may be of being told to stay home and wear a mask if we go out, Jesus is not tired of hearing from us and continues to welcome us into His presence where we can rest.

As difficult as it is to know who is right or wrong and who, if anyone, has the answers, we know that Jesus is truth, all-knowing will always be here to comfort and guide us.

As exhausting as it is to listen to one more negative news report, hear about one more death, or be told one more time that we should be afraid of the air we breathe, we know Jesus is not exhausted. He is our place of rest, comfort, and hope.

Are you tired of caring for the sick?

Are you burdened by the demands of your life?

Are you looking for comfort and peace?

Are you hurting and lonely and feel isolated?

Jesus says, “Come to me.”

When you don’t know what else to do, turn to Jesus. He will be waiting with open arms, reminding you to “Come to me.”

Let Me Be Pleasing to You

Vol. 22 No. 24 The week of June 21, 2020

This is a semi-constant prayer and desire.

Let the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing to you,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Father let the words of my mouth be pleasing to You.

Words are plentiful, and sometimes I say too much. But sometimes I don’t say enough. Sometimes I speak kindly and build people up. But sometimes my words are harsh and tear others down.

Sometimes my words bring laughter and help people feel better. But sometimes my humor makes them feel worse.

I know I’m guilty of succumbing to moments of frustration, judgment, and insensitivity. But in my heart, my truest desire is always to use my words to bring light, joy, hope, and peace to those who read them.

Father let the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you.

So I pray, Lord, give me words that comfort those who are hurting, bring peace to those who are anxious, bring joy to those who are sad, and bring hope to those who are hopeless.

Remind me that the words I speak and write are the result of the meditation of my heart. Help me keep my focus on You- the battles You have empowered me to fight and the struggles You have enabled me to overcome- so that when I speak or write, those who receive my words will be able to hear and see You more clearly.

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

It Starts with Me

Vol. 22 No. 23 June 15, 2020

I have many questions, but few answers. I see many problems, but few solutions. I have some level of influence and insight, but not enough to calm the fears, relieve the pain, or reduce the level of anger that exists in our world.

I cannot change all the things that need to be changed, but there is one thing I know; change starts with me.

It starts with me, loving my neighbor as myself.

It starts with me, treating my wife with love and respect.

It starts with loving my children and grandgirls and helping them see Jesus in my words and actions.

It starts with me walking across the street to meet my new neighbor and being kind and thoughtful to those who live around me.

It starts with taking a deep breath before I react to a person not wearing a mask at the gas pump next to me.

It starts with going beyond good intentions and doing what I know I need to do.

It starts with me listening instead of trying to prove my point and keeping my mouth closed when I want to speak unkindly.

It starts with me speaking up, even when it’s more comfortable to be silent.

It starts with me, expressing the joy in being alive, even when joy is hard to find…especially when joy is hard to find.

It starts with me, following the instructions from the prophet:

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

It starts with me treating others how I want to be treated.

It starts with allowing God’s Spirit to more fully develop love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Because against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5)

It starts with remembering this truth:

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1John 2:6)

I realize there are changes that must occur in our political structures, social systems, and institutions that may be beyond my scope of influence. But change must come.

And that change starts with me.

A Safe Place to Land

Vol. 22 No. 22 | June 8, 2020

I was listening to Sara Bereilles’s song, A Safe Place to Land, struck by how much the lyrics reflect the times in which we are living.

When pain is all that they offer 
You know the famine so well, but never met the feast 
Like a kiss from the lips of monster 
And home is the belly of the beast 

When holding your breath is safer than breathing 
When letting go is braver than keeping 
When innocent words turn to lies 
And you can't hide by closing your eyes 

The ocean is wild and over your head
And the boat beneath you is sinking
Don't need room for your bags
Hope is all that you have
So say the Lord's prayer twice, hold your babies tight
Surely someone will reach out a hand
And show you a safe place to land
 
Oh, imagine yourself in a building
Up in flames being told to stand still
The window's wide open
This leap is on faith
You don't know who will catch you
Maybe somebody will
 
The ocean is wild and over your head
And the boat beneath you is sinking
Don't need room for your bags
Hope is all that you have
So say the Lord's prayer twice, hold your babies tight
Surely someone will reach out a hand
And show you a safe place to land
 
Be the hand of a hopeful stranger
A little scared but you're strong enough
Be the light in the dark of this danger
'Til the sun comes up..

Imagine yourself in a Pandemic, being told to lock yourself inside.

Imagine yourself brutally pinned to the ground, begging for your last breath, being told to submit.

Imagine yourself in a military-dominated country, being told to abide.

We are going through life-altering events, unlike anything most of us have ever experienced: in our nation, our churches, our businesses, our families, and our minds.

Collectively, we are trying to find the courage to leap, hoping someone will catch us. And although the ocean is raging and it feels like we are sinking, we cannot become paralyzed by fear. Because now we know, staying silent or stagnant is no longer an option.

We must have the faith and courage to hold our babies tight, be the light, knowing in our hearts, God will provide…

A safe place to land.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, 
as we also have forgiven our debtors. 
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours it the kingdom and the power And glory forever. 
Amen.

^[i] Songwriters: Lori McKenna / Sara Bareilles

Take Heart

Vol. 22 No. 22 | June 1, 2020

Take Heart!

As parents, we want to protect our children and prepare them for what’s ahead if we can:

Ok, sweetie, we’re going to the doctor. They’re going to poke you with a needle and it’ll hurt for a little while, but I’ll be right beside you.

We’re going to a busy part of town, so stay close to me, wait for the man to turn green on the sign, and always look both ways before you cross the street.

Jesus wanted to protect his followers, as well. He was about to go to the cross, He tried to prepare them for what was shaping up to be an unprecedented time of disappointment, sadness, chaos, and confusion.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV)

Jesus’s words are as true now as they were then. And He wants to comfort His followers today the same as he did those who followed him then. He knows there will be times when life will be filled with confusion and uncertainty, disappointment and sadness, hatred and prejudice, and sickness and death.

And He wants to make sure we know that when we experience trouble or hardship, whether because of our faith or simply because we live in a fallen world, we must not give in to fear or lose hope.

Jesus is still communicating with us today, but we have to remember to listen. Because without a clear focus on His words, our spirits will start to dwindle, and we’ll lose sight of the good and beautiful things that still remain amidst all the tragedy and chaos in the world.

And we must take heart because He has provided us a way to have peace even in the midst of it.

The Gifts that Remain

A Norvell Note 2020

Vol. 22 No. 21 | May 25, 2020

Writing during COVID has been difficult.

While I am adjusting to and enjoying the calm and slower pace, my previous varied routine stimulated more thoughts and helped stir my imagination. Now, my mind drifts away more (and my mind is prone to wandering).

Knowing how to choose new and refreshing words that encourage and offer hope is harder now, too. So much has been and is being said (some worthwhile, some worthless), and phrases like “We are in this together” and “We’ll get through this together” seem a bit trite at this point.

Even writing about my writing woes seems minor compared to what so many others are coping with: those who are honoring and mourning their loved ones who died serving our country; business and church leaders wrestling to determine the safest means of reopening; families that have lost a loved one during this time and must wait weeks or months for a memorial service; doctors and nurses who continue to care for patients with limited resources and less than ideal conditions…

And yet, I write, remembering the true meaning of the phrase “labor of love.” And I do my best to remember that our struggles and suffering are temporary. And yes, we will get through this together, but only if we must keep our hearts open and eyes focused on the gifts that remain and the blessings that are to come.

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. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV)

I’m Ready To Shut Up and Listen

A Norvell Note 2020

Vol. 22 No. 20 | May 18, 2020

I watched the compost truck’s huge pinchers come down, clutch the dumpster on either side, raise it above the truck, shake it a few times, and set it back down on the side of the street. Within minutes, the truck had come and gone and the trash dumpster was empty. It had taken me much longer and a lot more struggle just to roll the dumpster from behind our fence to the curb.

As I witnessed the powerful display of mechanical strength, I thought about how foolish it would’ve been for me to run outside and tell the truck driver how heavy the load was and insist on helping him, just as would be for me to insist on doing the Lord’s work for him.

There have been times when I’ve watched our children struggle to find their way. Even though I had prayed for them to know the Lord and let Him guide their steps, I still thought there were times when God was acting too slow and maybe needed my assistance to move things along. But every time, He would put the right people in each of my children’s paths at just the right time to accomplish far more than I could have imagined.

The truth is, I’ve thought I’ve known how to fix a situation, relationship, or person better than God more times than I’d like to recall. And every time, I’ve looked back and seen how perfectly His plan has unfolded, leaving me feeling like Job after his requested Q&A with God.

Job answered:

“I’m speechless, in awe—words fail me.

I should never have opened my mouth!

I’ve talked too much, way too much.

I’m ready to shut up and listen.” (Job 40:4-5, The Message)

There is so much going on in the world right now that I wish I could explain and resolve, but I can’t. I can work to improve my circumstances and help others with the gifts and abilities I have, but I cannot do God’s work. And I don’t need to.

He has it taken care of, and His plan will unfold infinitely better than I could have ever imagined. So, I’m ready to shut up and listen.

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