"What's wrong with me Coach? I don't get it; I've been doing
so good for so long and now nothing's working!" The
rising young star was desperate, sensing his dream for a Division-1 scholarship
slipping through his fingers. "I work hard! I never miss
practice! I'm trying Coach, I'm really trying! Why is everything going so
wrong?!"
If you've ever played or coached any sport seriously, you've heard
these words, or even more likely, you have said them yourself. However,
even if you've never played sports, these words strike a familiar chord in
the heart of each one of us, because the feelings being expressed and the
underlying cause and effect are common to the lives of every person.
So, what's the coach going to say? What would you say? "Suck
it up kid; it's all part of learning. Just keep working hard doing what you're doing;
it'll all work out eventually. Remember, winners never quit and
quitters never win. Now get your butt back out there and tough it
out."
It hurts me to write that because, as a father of 6, I have too many times
responded to my own kids' cries for help in much the same way. I mean, it
sounds like good 'coach-talk' and all, but the truth is, when a coach (or
parent, sibling, boss, friend, pastor, etc.) says something like this, or even
when we say it to ourselves, it clearly reveals one of two facts; either the
coach doesn't care enough to invest the time necessary to find the cause of the
problem, or the coach doesn't know enough about the game (or the player) to be
able to give any better advice and he or she is too proud to admit
it. Either way, the player loses.
The scenario playing out above is obviously analogous to many,
many events and seasons in all of our lives and the effect is easy to see;
but what about the cause? Is "toughing it out" really going to
address the reason for the struggle? How do we respond in a way that
addresses the cause?
Sticking with the sports theme, I'll quote the great Vince Lombardi - "Practice
does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect."
In other words; don't just keep working hard, doing what you're doing, because there may be something wrong with the way you're
doing it. First, you've got to make sure you're doing it right.
There are different ways to approach this process, depending on your
context. One way is to dissect the effect (the problem); pealing it back,
layer by layer, until the cause is revealed, then address the cause and
determine how to prevent it from happening again. This in a nutshell
describes the science of 'root-cause analysis', which is a very effective
tool in the business world. However, on a more personal level, or in a
more urgent context, the process of root-cause analysis is often too time-consuming
to be of any practical value.
Another more efficient approach to resolving a problem is the one that
every GOOD coach knows and teaches: stop what you're doing, get
back to focusing on the basics, then
move forward. In applying this simple response, the cause will be
self-identified, the resolution to the problem will become clear, and
the basic foundation for everything from that point on will be strengthened.
This truth extends into all areas of our lives; personal, career,
relationships, finances, you name it. There is nothing in our lives that cannot
be improved by the careful turning of our attention to the most basic
principles and practices that support us and that guide our every action
and decision.
C.S. Lewis said - "We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong
road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in
that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive."
Do you think ol' Clive and Vince knew each other?
Probably not (opposite sides of The Pond you know), but they both
said essentially the same thing, because they were both essentially wise
men. Both of them knew, accepted and
understood that the quintessential source of wisdom is the
Bible, and they applied it actively and intentionally to their lives and
careers. Were they perfect specimens of wisdom? Absolutely not,
they were flawed men; sinners who made mistakes like the rest of us.
However, history has ascribed greatness to these men, and with good
reason.
But what about the rest of us mere mortals? What about those
oh-so-many times when we ask ourselves, "Why does this
keep happening to me?" If you've read this far, you know what's
coming next, that's right: Get back to basics. But how? What does
that look like?
If you already know God and accept the Bible as the basis and source of all
wisdom, then you know that the answer is in there. But don't stop reading
now; I'll get to you in a minute.
If you have not accepted the Bible, or you have not decided to trust
God, then you're on your own, free to keep trying it your own way; just don't
be surprised when your situation doesn't improve and "Why does this keep
happening to me?" becomes your life slogan. However, even if you
have not accepted either God or the Bible, the answer is still in there, free
for the taking; all you have to do is be willing to look for it.
Have you had enough of doing it your way? Are you tired of asking
"Why does this keep happening to me?" What have you got to
lose? Let's get started!
For devout Christians and doubters alike, the process is the same:
getting back to basics starts with opening the Bible and reading it as a
matter of daily, personal discipline. If you are new to the Bible, it is
a good idea to start with the New Testament. If you don't have access to
a Bible, go to www.Bible.com, there
you can read and explore God's Word in whatever language or translation you
prefer. You can also download the YouVersionBible App to your smartphone or tablet and take it with you anywhere!
So, now that you've got a Bible in front of you, what next?
Pray. Pray before you read, ask the Author of Life to reveal to you what
He wants to say to you at this time, then shut-up and listen for Him to
speak to you through what you read. Now, I'm not suggesting that you
will hear an audible voice, but when God speaks to you through His
written Word, you will know it in your heart as
clearly as if you had heard it with your ears!
Next, continue through your day in an attitude of prayer, discussing with
God what you have read. This does NOT mean that you have to be
on your knees or have your eyes closed all day (try explaining that to your boss
or the cop that just pulled you over!); it simply means carrying on a
private, personal conversation with God as you go about your normal
routine. Talk with God as if you are talking with a friend, but remember
to do more listening than talking.
Finally, apply what you learn. Intentionally submit your will to that
of your Creator and find peace in what He says and does, because it is going to
be amazing!
If you are new to the Bible, these will be the first steps in laying the
foundation for the rest of your life. However, if you have been a
Christian for a while, or maybe you were raised in a Christian home and have
wandered off the path, then this means breaking down the walls and
preconceptions you have built and clearing away the debris; your
spiritual foundation is still there, you just need to uncover it
and sweep it clean.
Whether you are laying a new foundation, or cleaning up an old one; if you
are reading this, you are at a very remarkable place in your life and facing a
truly life-changing opportunity; the opportunity to start building a
new life with Christ as the Cornerstone, so what are you waiting for?
"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)
PDS
Edmond, OK
13-JUN-2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
Sunday, March 31, 2013
'A God Kind of Love' by Noah Storkson (age 14)
Some people see God in beaches and
sunsets, others in mountains and you have to say that that is amazing. But
sometimes we have to step back and really discover how great He and His love
for us is and how small we, and our problems, are.
If you look at a picture of Earth you realize that we are pretty small. Now let’s take a few more steps back (more like quadrillions and quadrillions of steps) and take a picture of our galaxy. If you look at our galaxy and ask, “Where’s our solar system?” The answer would be, “You can’t see it!” Our galaxy is 100,000 light-years in diameter, that’s 590,000,000,000,000 miles, or 3 quadrillion 115 trillion 200 billion feet! Now do you feel small?
How about when I say that we don’t even know how big the universe is? Scientists refer to the studied universe as the known universe, because every time we make a bigger telescope we find out that the universe is bigger than we thought it was. We can see God’s hand all over it, it is beautiful! God can hold the entire universe in His hand, Isaiah 40:12 says: “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, or with the breadth of His hand marked off the heavens?” I bet that if you looked at the universe either the Milky Way galaxy wouldn’t be visible, or it would be a speck.
The Milky Way galaxy is a spiral shape; we are between two arms towards the outer part of the galaxy, so we are in the perfect position to study the universe. Science is the study of God’s creation so we can worship him better, and God gave us this huge universe (yet small compared to him) so we can see and learn about his beautiful and awesome power. Luke 10:17 says: the seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name”. So even the demons are smart enough to fear God.
If God can hold the universe in His hand, then what are we compared to Him? Yet God still loves us and lowered His Son down to our level and allowed Him to be killed by us and for our sins, and whenever a single one of us develops a relationship with Him He throws a big party in heaven just because that one, tiny person is saved, even though He doesn’t need to. We have no effect on Him, He could’ve just given up on us stubborn humans before the flood, but He loves us so much that He made a way for us sinful, tiny, particles to have eternal life with Him, by having His Son pay the price of our sin, so we don’t have to.
Most of us know that Jesus died on the cross for us, but He didn’t simply die for our sins, He was tortured for our sins. He was beaten, mocked, and flogged severely with whips that had four to ten lashes with balls on the end, and attached to those balls were spikes; it is also possible that those spikes had barbs on them. Those lashes cut Him severely. The spikes dug into His tissue and muscles, some of His internal organs were exposed by the time they were done with Him. He received nothing to ease the pain, and every time his body tried to pass out they woke him up. This went on for hours before they actually hung Him on the cross. When they did hang Him on the cross, they made Him carry that extremely heavy cross up a hill, where they nailed Him to the cross (and those nails were not little finishing nails, they were short steaks). On the top of the cross they hung a sign which read in three different languages “Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews.” To hold the cross upright, they pulled the top up by rope, and the bottom would drop into a hole, the force of it would have jerked Him and so the nails tore even more of the flesh in His wrists and feet. God turned his back on his own son. Then, they stabbed Him with a spear. The sinners on either side of him endured less torture.
When Jesus died, the temple curtain was torn in two, and there was an earthquake. Many bodies of holy people were raised to life, and many people saw them afterwards. Some of the people that saw this shouted: “Surely He was the Son of God!” Three days later Jesus Himself rose from the dead.
God did all of this for us, even though we are so tiny and we have no effect on Him, He simply loves us. That is a God kind of Love.
If you look at a picture of Earth you realize that we are pretty small. Now let’s take a few more steps back (more like quadrillions and quadrillions of steps) and take a picture of our galaxy. If you look at our galaxy and ask, “Where’s our solar system?” The answer would be, “You can’t see it!” Our galaxy is 100,000 light-years in diameter, that’s 590,000,000,000,000 miles, or 3 quadrillion 115 trillion 200 billion feet! Now do you feel small?
How about when I say that we don’t even know how big the universe is? Scientists refer to the studied universe as the known universe, because every time we make a bigger telescope we find out that the universe is bigger than we thought it was. We can see God’s hand all over it, it is beautiful! God can hold the entire universe in His hand, Isaiah 40:12 says: “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, or with the breadth of His hand marked off the heavens?” I bet that if you looked at the universe either the Milky Way galaxy wouldn’t be visible, or it would be a speck.
The Milky Way galaxy is a spiral shape; we are between two arms towards the outer part of the galaxy, so we are in the perfect position to study the universe. Science is the study of God’s creation so we can worship him better, and God gave us this huge universe (yet small compared to him) so we can see and learn about his beautiful and awesome power. Luke 10:17 says: the seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name”. So even the demons are smart enough to fear God.
If God can hold the universe in His hand, then what are we compared to Him? Yet God still loves us and lowered His Son down to our level and allowed Him to be killed by us and for our sins, and whenever a single one of us develops a relationship with Him He throws a big party in heaven just because that one, tiny person is saved, even though He doesn’t need to. We have no effect on Him, He could’ve just given up on us stubborn humans before the flood, but He loves us so much that He made a way for us sinful, tiny, particles to have eternal life with Him, by having His Son pay the price of our sin, so we don’t have to.
Most of us know that Jesus died on the cross for us, but He didn’t simply die for our sins, He was tortured for our sins. He was beaten, mocked, and flogged severely with whips that had four to ten lashes with balls on the end, and attached to those balls were spikes; it is also possible that those spikes had barbs on them. Those lashes cut Him severely. The spikes dug into His tissue and muscles, some of His internal organs were exposed by the time they were done with Him. He received nothing to ease the pain, and every time his body tried to pass out they woke him up. This went on for hours before they actually hung Him on the cross. When they did hang Him on the cross, they made Him carry that extremely heavy cross up a hill, where they nailed Him to the cross (and those nails were not little finishing nails, they were short steaks). On the top of the cross they hung a sign which read in three different languages “Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews.” To hold the cross upright, they pulled the top up by rope, and the bottom would drop into a hole, the force of it would have jerked Him and so the nails tore even more of the flesh in His wrists and feet. God turned his back on his own son. Then, they stabbed Him with a spear. The sinners on either side of him endured less torture.
When Jesus died, the temple curtain was torn in two, and there was an earthquake. Many bodies of holy people were raised to life, and many people saw them afterwards. Some of the people that saw this shouted: “Surely He was the Son of God!” Three days later Jesus Himself rose from the dead.
God did all of this for us, even though we are so tiny and we have no effect on Him, He simply loves us. That is a God kind of Love.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
A Real Page-Turner
If you have read any number of books at all, then you too have probably experienced a ‘page-turner’. You know, one of those books that you just can’t put down, because you can’t wait to see what happens next.
That’s not how we treat the book of our life though. We sit on the same old page, reading and re-reading it until its dog-eared and worn; finding prideful comfort in our ability to memorize every word, but pretending like we made it say something different each time we read it. Once in a while we do start thinking about what’s on the next page and then we spend, even waist our time and effort working in vain to write the story ourselves, when in truth, we can’t even see the next sheet of paper or see that it has already been written for us.
But eventually, pages do turn and when they do we grumble and complain that the story isn’t the one we thought we’d written. We’re so blinded by the biased pride we have in “controlling” our own lives that we fail to see that The Author has filled the page with His Love; that The Author really has worked all things out for our good (Romans 8:28), and we whine to God like spoiled children. Oh how much easier and more peaceful our lives would be if we would just have real, living, consistent faith in The Author of Life and trust Him for what we can’t see or understand! (Hebrews 11:1)
Like I said, pages do turn, and The Author is turning another page in the life of me and my family. For the last six and a half years, I have been blessed by a “second career” filled with satisfaction and growth. Not only have I enjoyed what I do, but I have had the remarkable privilege of working alongside some of the finest professionals I’ve ever known. I have had many accomplished and gifted leaders pour into my career and have received the benefit of many wonderful opportunities for learning, growth and development, both professionally and personally. All indications have been that these opportunities were preparing me for the next phase of my new career, but The Author has apparently written a plot-twist into the next chapter.
Two weeks ago, I received word that this job I’ve loved so much is being terminated due to our government’s failure to create a budget. When I received this news, my default reaction was...you guessed it...anxiety, fear, and a bit of anger. I wallowed in this attitude for a day or two, and then something miraculous happened; I remembered the last time The Lord turned the page and how beautifully the story unfolded. Reflecting on this, my anxiety and fear were almost instantly replaced with excitement to see what’s in the next chapter!
In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus tells us not to worry about life, food, clothing or shelter. He promises that God will provide these things and that worrying will accomplish nothing; and you know what? He’s absolutely right! “Of course He’s right.” You say...”He’s Jesus!” But, I’m not saying He’s right simply because He’s Jesus (that goes without saying), I can personally proclaim "He’s right!" because I’ve lived it. He has provided for us so generously, so graciously and so faithfully, so many, many times that I can’t help but trust Him. Sure, it’s been tight at times, but our needs have always, ALWAYS been met, and more often than not, in abundance.
I’d be lying to say that losing my job doesn’t make me sad, but the Voice of Truth inside of me is screaming “BRING IT ON!” Let’s turn the page quickly, because life with God is a real page-turner; every chapter is better than the last and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
PDS
I have a keen interest in history, U.S. History in particular, and I like my books and movies filled with action, mystery and suspense; you know…guy stuff, where things blow up, evil is defeated, and the hero wins. So, naturally I enjoy the genre of historical fiction, especially with a military context.
I’ve noticed a funny thing though. I’ve noticed that when we get absorbed into the storyline of a good movie or book, we feel excitement and eager anticipation for the next scene or the next page; but in our own lives, we are so easily gripped by fear and anxiety over what’s going to happen tomorrow, or the next day, week, month, and so on. Why do we live with such inconsistency? Is this really necessary? It’s certainly not beneficial, emotionally or physically. But, there is another author; in fact, He’s my most favorite author of all: He is “The Author of Life”, my life, your life, all life.
For many years, I had my dream job. It was dynamic, fast-paced, exciting, rewarding, high-paying, and even sort of romantic. I loved that job and I loved my title. Professionally, materially, I was completely satisfied. Then, in one moment, an unforeseen and inexplicable event brought my dream job to a permanent end. I was crushed. Now, I’m of Norwegian stock, and we’re not easily given to emotional display, but at the instant I realized that my career was over, I cried (wimpy little Norwegian tears of course, but that’s not the point). Then the reality of losing my job set in, and anxiety over the future began to build. What would I do? What could I do?
Looking back, I can see now that The Author had already written the next chapter in my life. Had I then been able to peek at the pages ahead, I would have seen how God used that change to grow, strengthen and improve me, my wife, our marriage, our faith and our family. I would have seen how He worked out all the minute details to sell our house quickly (when houses weren’t selling) and to quickly move us 1300 miles away to a new job, a job I grew to love almost as much as the first, and to a new place where our whole family loves to live. Had I only known what wonderful things He had already written for me... But, like the unfolding of a classic novel, The Author of Life masterfully reveals to us only one page at a time and lovingly asks us to trust Him for the rest.
With any other book, with any other author, we’d say this is genius! We’d tell our friends about the book and how it keeps our rapt attention! We’d boast about the author and try to get all our friends and co-workers to read Him! We’d take that book with us everywhere we go and look for every opportunity to turn the next page!
I’ve noticed a funny thing though. I’ve noticed that when we get absorbed into the storyline of a good movie or book, we feel excitement and eager anticipation for the next scene or the next page; but in our own lives, we are so easily gripped by fear and anxiety over what’s going to happen tomorrow, or the next day, week, month, and so on. Why do we live with such inconsistency? Is this really necessary? It’s certainly not beneficial, emotionally or physically. But, there is another author; in fact, He’s my most favorite author of all: He is “The Author of Life”, my life, your life, all life.
For many years, I had my dream job. It was dynamic, fast-paced, exciting, rewarding, high-paying, and even sort of romantic. I loved that job and I loved my title. Professionally, materially, I was completely satisfied. Then, in one moment, an unforeseen and inexplicable event brought my dream job to a permanent end. I was crushed. Now, I’m of Norwegian stock, and we’re not easily given to emotional display, but at the instant I realized that my career was over, I cried (wimpy little Norwegian tears of course, but that’s not the point). Then the reality of losing my job set in, and anxiety over the future began to build. What would I do? What could I do?
Looking back, I can see now that The Author had already written the next chapter in my life. Had I then been able to peek at the pages ahead, I would have seen how God used that change to grow, strengthen and improve me, my wife, our marriage, our faith and our family. I would have seen how He worked out all the minute details to sell our house quickly (when houses weren’t selling) and to quickly move us 1300 miles away to a new job, a job I grew to love almost as much as the first, and to a new place where our whole family loves to live. Had I only known what wonderful things He had already written for me... But, like the unfolding of a classic novel, The Author of Life masterfully reveals to us only one page at a time and lovingly asks us to trust Him for the rest.
With any other book, with any other author, we’d say this is genius! We’d tell our friends about the book and how it keeps our rapt attention! We’d boast about the author and try to get all our friends and co-workers to read Him! We’d take that book with us everywhere we go and look for every opportunity to turn the next page!
That’s not how we treat the book of our life though. We sit on the same old page, reading and re-reading it until its dog-eared and worn; finding prideful comfort in our ability to memorize every word, but pretending like we made it say something different each time we read it. Once in a while we do start thinking about what’s on the next page and then we spend, even waist our time and effort working in vain to write the story ourselves, when in truth, we can’t even see the next sheet of paper or see that it has already been written for us.
But eventually, pages do turn and when they do we grumble and complain that the story isn’t the one we thought we’d written. We’re so blinded by the biased pride we have in “controlling” our own lives that we fail to see that The Author has filled the page with His Love; that The Author really has worked all things out for our good (Romans 8:28), and we whine to God like spoiled children. Oh how much easier and more peaceful our lives would be if we would just have real, living, consistent faith in The Author of Life and trust Him for what we can’t see or understand! (Hebrews 11:1)
Like I said, pages do turn, and The Author is turning another page in the life of me and my family. For the last six and a half years, I have been blessed by a “second career” filled with satisfaction and growth. Not only have I enjoyed what I do, but I have had the remarkable privilege of working alongside some of the finest professionals I’ve ever known. I have had many accomplished and gifted leaders pour into my career and have received the benefit of many wonderful opportunities for learning, growth and development, both professionally and personally. All indications have been that these opportunities were preparing me for the next phase of my new career, but The Author has apparently written a plot-twist into the next chapter.
Two weeks ago, I received word that this job I’ve loved so much is being terminated due to our government’s failure to create a budget. When I received this news, my default reaction was...you guessed it...anxiety, fear, and a bit of anger. I wallowed in this attitude for a day or two, and then something miraculous happened; I remembered the last time The Lord turned the page and how beautifully the story unfolded. Reflecting on this, my anxiety and fear were almost instantly replaced with excitement to see what’s in the next chapter!
In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus tells us not to worry about life, food, clothing or shelter. He promises that God will provide these things and that worrying will accomplish nothing; and you know what? He’s absolutely right! “Of course He’s right.” You say...”He’s Jesus!” But, I’m not saying He’s right simply because He’s Jesus (that goes without saying), I can personally proclaim "He’s right!" because I’ve lived it. He has provided for us so generously, so graciously and so faithfully, so many, many times that I can’t help but trust Him. Sure, it’s been tight at times, but our needs have always, ALWAYS been met, and more often than not, in abundance.
I’d be lying to say that losing my job doesn’t make me sad, but the Voice of Truth inside of me is screaming “BRING IT ON!” Let’s turn the page quickly, because life with God is a real page-turner; every chapter is better than the last and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
PDS
13-MAR-2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
JESUS IS COMING…LOOK BUSY!
Growing up in Southern California in the days of the Hippies and Jesus Freaks, we saw a lot of signs and stickers with sayings like; ‘Peace’, ‘Make Love Not War’, ‘The End Is Near’, ‘Flower Power’ and ‘Repent’. Then one day, I saw one bumper sticker that had me laughing out loud in my car (decades before anyone knew what LOL meant!). That one bumper sticker has stayed in my mind all these years and to this day, I laugh when I think of it. It simply said “Jesus is Coming…Look Busy!”
Now, for all my Christian friends: Yes, I know that may be seen as a ‘vain’ use of the Lord’s name and I’m sure laughing at this is somehow a violation of the 3rd Commandment, but God has forgiven me so get over it. Besides, I’m reasonably certain He has a sense of humor; just look at the platypus…is that the work of a serious artist?
What’s REALLY funny though, is the profundity of truth contained within that simple text which the author no doubt intended as a disrespectful joke. I say it’s funny (in the ironic sense) because, using just five words, that sage jokester has described our day-to-day lives with remarkable clarity.
You see, most of us have a built-in sense of urgency about life. We may recognize this sense as the responsibility to care and provide for ourselves and for our families. Or, we may sense a need to leave our mark on society; in some way making a difference for a better world. Those of us with an eternal perspective often think about the return of Christ and feel the urgency to win others for His Kingdom. Sometimes, we Christians satiate that sense of urgency by working within the Church or other charitable organizations. Our communities and churches are full of 'busy' people.
Don’t get me wrong; all of these activities are honorable and vitally important; but what motivates us (whether we’re motivated by personal gain, or by recognition, or by a genuine concern for others, or for a closer relationship with Jesus) is what requires frequent and transparent self-examination, asking ourselves “Why am I doing this?” and listening for an honest answer.
Jesus IS coming. Are we really ready; or just looking busy? When He does come, does Jesus want to find you just keeping busy, or does He want to find you busied by a heart longing for His return? Our lives may look righteous because of all of our work, but is our heart fully devoted to, submitted to and purified by the righteousness and Lordship of Christ in those ways that only He can see? Knowing Jesus and striving to know him better, loving Jesus and wanting to love him more, yearning to please Jesus and be with Him more than anything else you can think of; THAT is what being ready is all about.
Jesus IS coming, but when? We could debate eschatology for years and never agree, but as interesting and important as that discussion can be, it really shouldn’t matter to how we live. It shouldn’t matter because being ready, really ready, expels ANY need to know when. Jesus may come for us all at any time or, He may just come for you or me when we least expect it.
This past week, we received news that a 19 year old friend of the family has been killed in an auto accident. This horrible event is every loving parent’s worst nightmare. It brings into sharp focus, the brevity and fragility of our existence on this planet. This fine young man’s death couldn’t have been more unexpected and was in no way his fault (he was a passenger). His is a strong and loving family. They are close-knit, hardworking and successful. The kids are well behaved and respectful, good students and gifted athletes. They are respected and liked in their schools, workplaces and community. Theirs is the kind of family we all admire and would never expect to experience a tragedy like this. Our hearts are wrenched with pain for them but, the truth is, it could happen to any one of us at any moment.
The ONLY way to live with any hope of a peaceful heart and spirit; the ONLY way we can ever hope to live without anxiety, fear or doubt, is to BE ready; to possess the knowledge and confidence that, should the Lord come today, or should tragedy come our way, we know with certainty that we ARE going with Him, welcomed into His loving arms.
Jesus IS coming! Are YOU ready, or just looking busy?
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come...So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Matthew 24:42,44 (NIV84)
PDS
16-JAN-2013
Now, for all my Christian friends: Yes, I know that may be seen as a ‘vain’ use of the Lord’s name and I’m sure laughing at this is somehow a violation of the 3rd Commandment, but God has forgiven me so get over it. Besides, I’m reasonably certain He has a sense of humor; just look at the platypus…is that the work of a serious artist?
What’s REALLY funny though, is the profundity of truth contained within that simple text which the author no doubt intended as a disrespectful joke. I say it’s funny (in the ironic sense) because, using just five words, that sage jokester has described our day-to-day lives with remarkable clarity.
You see, most of us have a built-in sense of urgency about life. We may recognize this sense as the responsibility to care and provide for ourselves and for our families. Or, we may sense a need to leave our mark on society; in some way making a difference for a better world. Those of us with an eternal perspective often think about the return of Christ and feel the urgency to win others for His Kingdom. Sometimes, we Christians satiate that sense of urgency by working within the Church or other charitable organizations. Our communities and churches are full of 'busy' people.
Don’t get me wrong; all of these activities are honorable and vitally important; but what motivates us (whether we’re motivated by personal gain, or by recognition, or by a genuine concern for others, or for a closer relationship with Jesus) is what requires frequent and transparent self-examination, asking ourselves “Why am I doing this?” and listening for an honest answer.
Jesus IS coming. Are we really ready; or just looking busy? When He does come, does Jesus want to find you just keeping busy, or does He want to find you busied by a heart longing for His return? Our lives may look righteous because of all of our work, but is our heart fully devoted to, submitted to and purified by the righteousness and Lordship of Christ in those ways that only He can see? Knowing Jesus and striving to know him better, loving Jesus and wanting to love him more, yearning to please Jesus and be with Him more than anything else you can think of; THAT is what being ready is all about.
Jesus IS coming, but when? We could debate eschatology for years and never agree, but as interesting and important as that discussion can be, it really shouldn’t matter to how we live. It shouldn’t matter because being ready, really ready, expels ANY need to know when. Jesus may come for us all at any time or, He may just come for you or me when we least expect it.
This past week, we received news that a 19 year old friend of the family has been killed in an auto accident. This horrible event is every loving parent’s worst nightmare. It brings into sharp focus, the brevity and fragility of our existence on this planet. This fine young man’s death couldn’t have been more unexpected and was in no way his fault (he was a passenger). His is a strong and loving family. They are close-knit, hardworking and successful. The kids are well behaved and respectful, good students and gifted athletes. They are respected and liked in their schools, workplaces and community. Theirs is the kind of family we all admire and would never expect to experience a tragedy like this. Our hearts are wrenched with pain for them but, the truth is, it could happen to any one of us at any moment.
The ONLY way to live with any hope of a peaceful heart and spirit; the ONLY way we can ever hope to live without anxiety, fear or doubt, is to BE ready; to possess the knowledge and confidence that, should the Lord come today, or should tragedy come our way, we know with certainty that we ARE going with Him, welcomed into His loving arms.
Jesus IS coming! Are YOU ready, or just looking busy?
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come...So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Matthew 24:42,44 (NIV84)
PDS
16-JAN-2013
Friday, January 11, 2013
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