Reference Point Devotional

“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me’” (Genesis 16:13 NIV).

Being a librarian often feels like being invisible. It’s rare that people know exactly what it is we do. Many people believe librarians are two-dimensional beings that exist to shush people or who get to camp behind a reference desk and read whatever they want all day. Sometimes librarianship can feel like a thankless job. No one sees the long hours spent on cataloging, book display creation, or acquisitions.  No one sees the stress of patron-librarian interactions or the frustration of trying to keep library programs afloat. We often feel unseen in our struggles and in our work.

“I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV

Sometimes our hopes and expectations are dashed; things we would not have chosen happen to us or our loved ones. Sometimes these things are consequences of our own doings. Other times, these uninvited, difficult things, such as changes to or in our jobs, issues with colleagues or patrons, problems in work or family relationships, unanticipated changes in our institutions, or unexpected health issues, seem to just happen.

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. (Revelation 1:4b-5a ESV)

We face unsettling times not only as Christians but also as librarians. Nevertheless, we can take comfort in the Apostle John’s pastoral greetings of grace and peace from God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and God the Son. Though people in this world may despise us and undermine God’s truth, we have this assurance that God is sovereign over all. Though our lives may be riddled with uncertainty and concerns, we have this hope that Jesus is ruling. We can look to Him, for He knows our struggles and cares for us.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4 ESV)

In the late days of summer, I am often preoccupied by two thoughts: the prospect of a new academic year, and the condition of my garden. The first is a perennial condition of the academic library vocation, and the latter is a personal antidote to the condition of the former. As a gardener and librarian, I find that steadfast endurance is a requisite commitment I make to any hope of ever seeing the fruit of my labor. Just as weeds of the garden inevitably crop up and crowd for space, so too are the unexpected needs of the patron on the well-crafted academic schedule. Each requires tending. James (1:2-3) reminds us that our faith is no different. We will “encounter trials of various kinds” and the “testing of our faith produces steadfastness”. It’s a reminder that the greatest return on our service investment, regardless of occupation, is not in the lofty or grand moments, but in the mundane, everyday obligation of tending the weeds and needs. Truly, in moments of great trial, a resilient faith is required, but the measure of our resilience comes only with the sharpened practice of steadfast endurance in everyday adversity. The daily grind, it turns out, has purpose far beyond the paycheck or of vocational awe.

Along the front of my house are two rows of shrubs. Some years they get trimmed a lot. Some years they do not. Recently, I was trimming some branches that had been damaged by the unusual cold we had last winter. When I took a break, I saw an open space that looked a bit awkward. Some might even say ugly. I looked at my pile of trimmings and saw a lot of dead leaves, but there were also some healthy leaves in there. They just had been growing in the wrong spot, too far from the base.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19 NIV)

I was driving to work the other day, thinking about all of the trials I’ve been through in the last 4 years. It’s been a very difficult season of life. Just as the thought, “How did I get here? How am I still standing?” went through my mind, Cory Asbury’s Song “Egypt” came on the radio. As I listened to this familiar song, God gently reminded me of who is in control. We know that we face troubles in this world.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 148:8 NIV

Life can take unexpected twists and turns. We work hard only to be led away from work we enjoy and love. Our family life does not come to the fruition we expect. Friendships waver; a relationship to a church we love dissipates; we grieve those we have lost in this life. It can feel as if we are drowning in the problems of this world. Our hope, though, is in the trust we can place in Jesus. We can trust that when the mountains seem tall or the journey long that He can and will direct our steps.

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so, through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV)

For those of a certain generation, or who raised kids in the 1980s or 90s, you may be familiar with the Bill & Gloria Gaither song “I Am A Promise”, published in 1982. For those not familiar with the lyrics, the song begins, “I am a promise / I am a possibility / I am a promise with a capital ‘P’ / I can be anything / anything God wants me to be.” Recently, my mom was visiting to watch my 4-year-old and started

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner there are A LOT of people already wondering how to maneuver through the day. The flowers… the chocolates… the balloons. Those tokens of affection. Oh, my. Even the little ones who set their carefully -or not so carefully- decorated Valentine’s Day boxes in place are wild with excitement wondering how many valentines they will receive or if their current heartthrob

“Never, Never, Never Give Up.” — Winston Churchill

Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. (2 Chronicles 15:17 NIV)

Here we go again…a new year.

Rather than beginning the calendar with a recitation of past losses, challenges, and hurts.

Rather than wondering, “What now?” or “What next?”