Off with their Heads!

"Off with their heads!" was the expression used by the Queen of Hearts from ‘The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland.’ But beheading is hardly a laughing matter, especially in light of last month’s brutal beheadings of 17 men, women and children by the Taliban. Having lived in Afghanistan, I was not surprised by such primitive violence. “But why beheading?” I thought.

Beheading is not unique to our times. You probably remember from your high school ancient history class about the beheadings of English and French royals in the Middle Ages. Back then, beheading was considered an honorable way to die. But 21st century terrorists are beheading their victims after they die: an expression of contempt. To cut off a head shows vile hatred for a person's beliefs (remember John the Baptist). And, it strikes terror in the heart of one’s enemies.

The spiritual analogy here is rich. The head represents one's mind—thoughts, beliefs, plans and dreams. No wonder Satan goes for the head. If he can capture the mind, he can control a person's emotions and behaviors. This is why Paul tells us to cover our heads with the helmet of salvation and hope (Eph. 6:17: 1 Thess. 5:8). Our enemy hates those who have the mind of Christ, and will stop at nothing to destroy them. I’m sure the battle cry of Satan’s minions must be “Off with their heads!”

Small Things

“Do not despise small beginnings” (Zechariah 4:10). You may be familiar with this verse without knowing the back story. At the end of Israel’s 70-year captivity, Zerrubabel returned with a small group of Jews to re-build the Temple.  It was harder than he expected; he got discouraged. And, people disparaged a structure that would never be as grand as Solomon's. For 12 years, the work stopped. Then the word of the Lord came to him through Zechariah to start again, saying, do not despise small beginnings, or small things.

Our generation loves BIG things—monster houses, mammoth malls, and mega churches. No one talks of doing “small things” for God.  We like big, attention-grabbing projects and campaigns. But if we despise (regard as negligible or worthless) small things, we may miss the very thing God is doing around us.

The life and ministry of Jesus demonstrates the significance of small. Born in a small shed, surrounded by chickens, sheep, cows, donkeys—despised things—He would confound the wise. Hailing from the tiny town of Nazareth, with a small group of provincial men from a politically insignificant nation, Jesus changed the world, saying, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can move mountains (Matt. 17:20). Do not despise small things.  That seems to be where God does some of His best work!

Stop Pointing the Finger

By now you’ve all heard about the infamous “finger wagging” encounter between President Obama and Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. Regardless of why it happened, or “who started it,” it was arguably improper for Brewer to point her finger in the President’s face. 

“Pointing the finger” is an action of blaming, reprimanding, or warning, and worse, a gesture of contempt.  Who can forget how President Clinton used it to scold his accusers.  And recently,  during a Republican debate, Rick Perry pointed condescendingly at Ron Paul. 

Finger pointing is as old as Adam who pointed the finger at Eve who pointed the finger at the serpent.  It is natural to want to "wag your finger" to point out someone else's error, to justify yourself.  Or, to shift the blame when you feel threatened.  

"Finger pointing" is soundly condemned by God (Is. 58:9) because of what it is. But He promises if we stop pointing at others, and instead, ask Him to point out our faults, He will bring our relationships to the point of restoration. (Is 58:9-12).  Then, instead of pointing at people, we can point people to God, which is really the point of our salvation, isn't it!