That is a question often asked when young fresh faced people seek to purchase certain beverages, tobacco products or enter establishments that require age restrictions. When I was 18 I looked more like 14 on a good day so it was quite well that I usually stayed away from those situations for the most part. I made a commitment in a revival service in Jr. High and hung in there with it as people called me ‘straight laced’ and ‘preacher’ long before I was speaking in buildings with pointy roofs for a living. However, no matter how old we get we have an I. D. We are identified with a job, lifestyle, family, organization or especially by our behavior. Some of the ways we are identified are wrong like the false I.D.’s some once used in High School. However, the longer we hold to our behavior, character, organization, fellowships or actions the better the chance of the true I.D. being recognized.
Scripture tells us that bad company corrupts good character. One must watch their actions and company. When I was younger I realized I could have fun without drinking but I spent time being identified, on occasion, with the wrong places. Once I tried to drive a friend home, before the designated driver was fashionable we watched out for friends. However, he had seen me acting in such a manner, not much different than I do today having fun, that he said, “I’ve seen you tonight. You’re worse off than me!” I assured him I had only consumed three Dr. Peppers, which was my limit in those days, I can’t handle THAT many today! I then realized I needed to remove myself from some environments that adversely affected my witness, what people thought of me or my I.D.
How do people identify you? Have you ever wondered how others would describe you? You DO know they talk about you when you are not around! Gee, I hope I have not given you new information to upset you! You can’t completely control what others say but you can control what you do. As a minister I Timothy 3 tells me to live my life “above reproach”. The Greek really means one should not ‘get a handle on an accusation’. That means I am to conduct myself in such a public way that people may still say things about me, I can’t help that, but the character of my life is such that the accusations can not find a handle. Character and integrity as an I.D. will outlast any gossip, slander or accusation that has no basis.
Your I.D. is vital. Proverbs 22:1 tells us, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” I Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” In other words, if what & and how you eat, drink and do does not bring glory to God, you should not eat, drink or do it! Even a product of the Mississippi public school system like me can figure that one out!
The first people identified with the name ‘Christian’ were in Antioch. Originally it was pegged upon them as a name of ridicule. “Oh look at the way they act they are acting like ‘little Christ’s”. They were not ridiculed at all and took the name with pride. That was their purpose, to act completely like Jesus in all they did. When people looked at them they wanted them to think of Jesus. People are looking and I.D.ing you. So the question is not; “Got any I.D.?” You do have one. The question is; What is your I.D.?
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
People Can Be A Strange Bunch
Someone once said, “There are two kinds of people. Those who put people into two categories and those who don’t.” (Have you ever noticed how often speakers and writers quote ‘SOMEONE’ when they don’t have a good way to kick-start their topic? Well someone did say that this time whether you believe it or not and whether they said it or not (whoever ‘THEY’ are?), we all categorize people from time to time and when we do we often get it wrong. People are far too complex to fit into most general categories.
I will use myself as an example. I have been living with myself for most of my life and am fairly well acquainted so I feel comfortable giving myself permission to be an example. I am from Mississippi. Right away some people will wonder if I am wearing shoes. Well, I am typing this in the comfort of my home so answering that may be misleading, however I still do have all my teeth, but the fact that I was born in a state that has a reputation for several negative stereotypes does not make me ignorant, bigoted, obese or have a blushing neck.
According to a sign in front of a building with a steeple I am the pastor of a church. Many people will assume several things about me as a pastor of a certain denomination. Most of those who meet me find out that many of those assumptions are wrong. I am quite serious about proclaiming the truth of the scriptures and living by them, however I have discovered though years of diligent study and experience that much has been misunderstood, misinterpreted and the life Jesus gives is much more fun than most realize when properly followed.
People can be prejudiced in so many ways. Educated people often are biased against those who lack education. Uneducated often feel inferior and have a bias against those who have more education. Rich people often are prejudiced toward the poor and the poor often envy the rich. Whether it is race, gender, economics, politics or the sports team we favor we seem to find more and more reasons to categorize and divide ourselves.
People are a funny sort of lot to study and observe. I have been living among them and observing them in their natural habitat for a lifetime and have come up with a few conclusions. While they are fearfully and wonderfully made they can lower themselves to the lowest common denominator in behavior in a short time when left to their own resources or they can rise to wonderful heights that can stir emotions beyond words. They are capable of great evil that is unspeakable as well as good that boggles the mind. They can cause great pain or give great joy. Much of that is left to our response. We can not control what people do but we can control our response. We can hold on to anger, hurt and sorrow and live miserable lives no matter what surrounds us or we can forgive, forget and live with joy no matter the circumstances.
Yes, people can be a strange lot but they can be fun to live with when they get along and share all their diversity. Jesus prayed for us to be “one” then he gave his life to pay the price for all our mistakes. Wouldn’t it be worth it to fulfill his prayer and forgive the mistakes of those who offended you, those with whom you feel separated, and those with whom you feel alienated and live the rest of your days enjoying and exploring the rich differences in all the people that surround your life? They are always saying (Here ‘THEY’ go saying stuff again), “You don’t get many second chances in life”…well, maybe you do!
I will use myself as an example. I have been living with myself for most of my life and am fairly well acquainted so I feel comfortable giving myself permission to be an example. I am from Mississippi. Right away some people will wonder if I am wearing shoes. Well, I am typing this in the comfort of my home so answering that may be misleading, however I still do have all my teeth, but the fact that I was born in a state that has a reputation for several negative stereotypes does not make me ignorant, bigoted, obese or have a blushing neck.
According to a sign in front of a building with a steeple I am the pastor of a church. Many people will assume several things about me as a pastor of a certain denomination. Most of those who meet me find out that many of those assumptions are wrong. I am quite serious about proclaiming the truth of the scriptures and living by them, however I have discovered though years of diligent study and experience that much has been misunderstood, misinterpreted and the life Jesus gives is much more fun than most realize when properly followed.
People can be prejudiced in so many ways. Educated people often are biased against those who lack education. Uneducated often feel inferior and have a bias against those who have more education. Rich people often are prejudiced toward the poor and the poor often envy the rich. Whether it is race, gender, economics, politics or the sports team we favor we seem to find more and more reasons to categorize and divide ourselves.
People are a funny sort of lot to study and observe. I have been living among them and observing them in their natural habitat for a lifetime and have come up with a few conclusions. While they are fearfully and wonderfully made they can lower themselves to the lowest common denominator in behavior in a short time when left to their own resources or they can rise to wonderful heights that can stir emotions beyond words. They are capable of great evil that is unspeakable as well as good that boggles the mind. They can cause great pain or give great joy. Much of that is left to our response. We can not control what people do but we can control our response. We can hold on to anger, hurt and sorrow and live miserable lives no matter what surrounds us or we can forgive, forget and live with joy no matter the circumstances.
Yes, people can be a strange lot but they can be fun to live with when they get along and share all their diversity. Jesus prayed for us to be “one” then he gave his life to pay the price for all our mistakes. Wouldn’t it be worth it to fulfill his prayer and forgive the mistakes of those who offended you, those with whom you feel separated, and those with whom you feel alienated and live the rest of your days enjoying and exploring the rich differences in all the people that surround your life? They are always saying (Here ‘THEY’ go saying stuff again), “You don’t get many second chances in life”…well, maybe you do!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
You Don't Look Like A Preacher
We had a guest musical group in our church. My music minister and I were greeting them as they were arriving in the sanctuary early before the service. I said “Hi, I’m Bill, we are glad you are here.” After a few moments of chatting the leader of the group asked, “Are you the Sound man?” I guess he expected the Senior Pastor to be more formal, taller, more handsome, who knows? I had fun telling the congregation how perceptive he was, most people wait until after hearing me preach to think I should be doing something else.
On a previous occasion a former Deacon who was a member of the state legislature invited me and another church member to a political event with a wide range of people from many social sections of the community. As we mingled a man walked in the room and my fellow church member said, “Now he looks like a preacher!” To which I replied, “And I guess that means I look like chopped liver?” Now that meant I had to conduct a scientific experiment to discern who was the real deal in this situation. I carefully worked my way across the crowded room until I met the well dressed man with carefully combed hair. I introduced myself and made small talk and eased the conversation to, “So what do you do for a living?” He smiled and replied, “I am an undertaker.” I went back to my church member and said, “You are right he does look like a preacher!”
When people actually find out that I do make my living as a preacher they then mistake me for a very religious person. Although I am in church enough to have a steeple growing out of my bald spot I may not be as religious in the way people expect. I am also OK with that. Jesus was not as religious in the way people expected. In fact it was the most religious sect in society that had the most trouble with him and finally arranged for his death. Religious intolerance is not new. Religion can be a practice of following certain traditions, rules and rituals that men have devised, modified and amended over the years. Some of these traditions can be very helpful. Some are simply meaningless habits others can be harmful. Problems arise when one has to follow such traditions, rules, rituals, etc. to be accepted or acceptable. Religion can then become exclusive and even dangerous.
I like following and preaching Jesus rather than religion, politics or opinion. He seeks to draw all to him and his tradition, rules and habits are grounded in love for Him and fellowman. In thirty years of being a preacher I have had several occasions of hearing, “You don’t look/act like a preacher” but I have never had anyone say you don’t look or act like Jesus. If I am not aligned with the image of the everyday preacher that is OK, I would rather be aligned with Jesus. No matter your vocation you can act like Him and let others see him in you. Many will not go to church, in fact most don’t. Many have a wrong idea about church or church members but they will watch you. What do people see when they watch you? I leave you with a favorite poem.
‘The Gospel According to Me’
Lord help me remember,
When others I see,
That they are reading the Gospel,
According to me.
Matthew, Barnabus,
Peter and Paul,
The world looks upon them as names,
That’s all.
For verses of scripture,
Men merely grope,
But my life goes under the microscope.
So make me a text Lord,
Easy to see,
When men read the Gospel,
According to me!
On a previous occasion a former Deacon who was a member of the state legislature invited me and another church member to a political event with a wide range of people from many social sections of the community. As we mingled a man walked in the room and my fellow church member said, “Now he looks like a preacher!” To which I replied, “And I guess that means I look like chopped liver?” Now that meant I had to conduct a scientific experiment to discern who was the real deal in this situation. I carefully worked my way across the crowded room until I met the well dressed man with carefully combed hair. I introduced myself and made small talk and eased the conversation to, “So what do you do for a living?” He smiled and replied, “I am an undertaker.” I went back to my church member and said, “You are right he does look like a preacher!”
When people actually find out that I do make my living as a preacher they then mistake me for a very religious person. Although I am in church enough to have a steeple growing out of my bald spot I may not be as religious in the way people expect. I am also OK with that. Jesus was not as religious in the way people expected. In fact it was the most religious sect in society that had the most trouble with him and finally arranged for his death. Religious intolerance is not new. Religion can be a practice of following certain traditions, rules and rituals that men have devised, modified and amended over the years. Some of these traditions can be very helpful. Some are simply meaningless habits others can be harmful. Problems arise when one has to follow such traditions, rules, rituals, etc. to be accepted or acceptable. Religion can then become exclusive and even dangerous.
I like following and preaching Jesus rather than religion, politics or opinion. He seeks to draw all to him and his tradition, rules and habits are grounded in love for Him and fellowman. In thirty years of being a preacher I have had several occasions of hearing, “You don’t look/act like a preacher” but I have never had anyone say you don’t look or act like Jesus. If I am not aligned with the image of the everyday preacher that is OK, I would rather be aligned with Jesus. No matter your vocation you can act like Him and let others see him in you. Many will not go to church, in fact most don’t. Many have a wrong idea about church or church members but they will watch you. What do people see when they watch you? I leave you with a favorite poem.
‘The Gospel According to Me’
Lord help me remember,
When others I see,
That they are reading the Gospel,
According to me.
Matthew, Barnabus,
Peter and Paul,
The world looks upon them as names,
That’s all.
For verses of scripture,
Men merely grope,
But my life goes under the microscope.
So make me a text Lord,
Easy to see,
When men read the Gospel,
According to me!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
A Mule Can't Kick When It Is Plowing...
I grew up in a small town in Mississippi. My grandfather had a farm in Alabama. I remember the joy of going to visit and ‘help’ plow with mules. Mules are bred as a work animal. When in the harness pulling a plow they were invaluable. When in the pen they could get fussy and kick(childhood memories resurfacing). The point of this article, and title, is found in the proper service of talents to avoid conflict and maximize potential or as we used to say, “A mule can’t kick when it is plowing and it can’t plow when it is kicking.”
We elect people to serve us in government and they often lose sight of uniting with other political servants to ‘plow’ together and wind up ‘kicking’ against one another serving no one well in the long run. Church members also get distracted on their purpose doing greater harm as their disservice has eternal consequences. People are often turned away from Spiritual truth and church in large numbers due to fighting and ‘kicking’ that goes on far too often when people who claim to be brothers and sisters should be ‘plowing’ together.
What causes the ‘kicking’? James 4: 1 asks the question “What causes fights and quarrels among you?” He then answers in verse 2 saying, “You want something but don't get it.” It is pretty simple. We want things our way and have our own ego to serve. We do not GO to church to have things our way. We ARE the church as we go the way of the Father uniting to follow him as he sends us. Let’s go back to the country. My grandfather had a team of mules (two). They worked best when they were matched and were placed in the harness to work together. One worked best on the right and the other on the left. Rather than letting differences cause conflict their differences made them stronger as they pulled together.
I have noticed that those who make the most conflict in churches and communities are often the ones who are doing the least to pull together, and are not doing their share of the work. Remember one can’t kick and plow at the same time. God has blessed me to take mission teams around the world assisting third world countries and victims of disaster. One gains new perspective when one gets out of their own comfort zone to assist others. It is hard to argue or think about selfish ideas when you are in a genocide museum, killing field, sitting in a mud hut sharing a meal or helping people restore a home destroyed by a hurricane.
D.T. Niles described what we do as “One beggar showing another beggar where he found bread.” Those who go across the street or across the ocean to share bread with a fellow beggar are too busy plowing and scattering seed to kick. Try to match up with fellow brothers and sisters as Ephesians 4 urges and enjoy plowing together. It is what we are really made to do.
We elect people to serve us in government and they often lose sight of uniting with other political servants to ‘plow’ together and wind up ‘kicking’ against one another serving no one well in the long run. Church members also get distracted on their purpose doing greater harm as their disservice has eternal consequences. People are often turned away from Spiritual truth and church in large numbers due to fighting and ‘kicking’ that goes on far too often when people who claim to be brothers and sisters should be ‘plowing’ together.
What causes the ‘kicking’? James 4: 1 asks the question “What causes fights and quarrels among you?” He then answers in verse 2 saying, “You want something but don't get it.” It is pretty simple. We want things our way and have our own ego to serve. We do not GO to church to have things our way. We ARE the church as we go the way of the Father uniting to follow him as he sends us. Let’s go back to the country. My grandfather had a team of mules (two). They worked best when they were matched and were placed in the harness to work together. One worked best on the right and the other on the left. Rather than letting differences cause conflict their differences made them stronger as they pulled together.
I have noticed that those who make the most conflict in churches and communities are often the ones who are doing the least to pull together, and are not doing their share of the work. Remember one can’t kick and plow at the same time. God has blessed me to take mission teams around the world assisting third world countries and victims of disaster. One gains new perspective when one gets out of their own comfort zone to assist others. It is hard to argue or think about selfish ideas when you are in a genocide museum, killing field, sitting in a mud hut sharing a meal or helping people restore a home destroyed by a hurricane.
D.T. Niles described what we do as “One beggar showing another beggar where he found bread.” Those who go across the street or across the ocean to share bread with a fellow beggar are too busy plowing and scattering seed to kick. Try to match up with fellow brothers and sisters as Ephesians 4 urges and enjoy plowing together. It is what we are really made to do.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Why Is This Happening To Me?
“If I have been created in the image of God why can’t I find my car keys?” It can be frustrating to be told by preachers that we (humans) are the crowning achievement of creation when we struggle along in this thing called life. By the time you get things figured out, you often forgot where you put them. There are times we seem to try as hard as we can to move three steps forward and see ourselves slip two backward. Quite often life just doesn’t seem fair. I was once told to look for ‘fair’ in the dictionary if I wanted to find it in this world. As long as we have been able to ask questions we have questioned the futility, fairness and purpose of things and life in this world. Some just give up thinking; “What the heck, it does not matter”, “Why bother” , or “What’s the use”?
Before you throw in the towel be remember that Jesus reminded us that it rains on the just and the unjust in Matthew 5:45. He is simply letting us know that there are going to be some things that come our way that we may not understand or think fair but that does not mean he does not exist, has forgotten us or that we are necessarily being punished unjustly. There are a few things to consider when struggling with questions and frustrations in this sin-scarred world. Romans 5:12 tells us that unfairness, tragedy, senseless acts, evil all entered this world through man’s disobedience. So, when we look to the heavens and cry, “Why is God doing this to me?” We are better served to look in the mirror. Mankind is the greater culprit. James 1:17 tells us every good and perfect gift comes from God. I Timothy 2:4 explains that it is God’s will that all are saved but we know that God has also allowed our own will to be part of the process (remember we are created in his image with an ability to determine an outcome for our lives) so there are things in our lives that may not go according to his will. However, it is his will for us to let him have control and turn it around.
So, next time you are struggling with the major questions about why there is injustice or perhaps wondering why someone created in God’s image still can’t find the car keys it may be helpful to consider the source of this struggle, question or dilemma. Often the answer can be found as a result of sin in the world. It may be due to man’s inhumanity to man, (think what we could do if money spent on crime and war were used for disease prevention, medicine and caring for those in poverty). It may be due to improper care and stewardship of self or God’s resources, senseless acts or accidents. Everything does not have a purpose in a sin-scarred world where evil exists but God can give purpose to everything if we turn it to him.
The key is how we respond. I Thessalonians 5:18 tells us it is God’s will to give thanks in all things. A thankful heart turns our thinking around. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Joseph’s life of being sold into slavery by his brothers was transformed into saving a nation from starvation. He later told his brothers, “What you meant for evil God intended for Good.” Paul tells us we will understand things with complete clarity in eternity. Our vision now is clouded as if looking through a dingy mirror. The secret is turning things around to see what God is leading through the current situation. If I can’t find my car keys, God may be leading me outside to a beautiful day for a walk. I think I will stop the frustrating search and just trust him and go on that walk with him; after all I have been created in his image. The more we walk together the better I seem to understand things anyway.
Before you throw in the towel be remember that Jesus reminded us that it rains on the just and the unjust in Matthew 5:45. He is simply letting us know that there are going to be some things that come our way that we may not understand or think fair but that does not mean he does not exist, has forgotten us or that we are necessarily being punished unjustly. There are a few things to consider when struggling with questions and frustrations in this sin-scarred world. Romans 5:12 tells us that unfairness, tragedy, senseless acts, evil all entered this world through man’s disobedience. So, when we look to the heavens and cry, “Why is God doing this to me?” We are better served to look in the mirror. Mankind is the greater culprit. James 1:17 tells us every good and perfect gift comes from God. I Timothy 2:4 explains that it is God’s will that all are saved but we know that God has also allowed our own will to be part of the process (remember we are created in his image with an ability to determine an outcome for our lives) so there are things in our lives that may not go according to his will. However, it is his will for us to let him have control and turn it around.
So, next time you are struggling with the major questions about why there is injustice or perhaps wondering why someone created in God’s image still can’t find the car keys it may be helpful to consider the source of this struggle, question or dilemma. Often the answer can be found as a result of sin in the world. It may be due to man’s inhumanity to man, (think what we could do if money spent on crime and war were used for disease prevention, medicine and caring for those in poverty). It may be due to improper care and stewardship of self or God’s resources, senseless acts or accidents. Everything does not have a purpose in a sin-scarred world where evil exists but God can give purpose to everything if we turn it to him.
The key is how we respond. I Thessalonians 5:18 tells us it is God’s will to give thanks in all things. A thankful heart turns our thinking around. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Joseph’s life of being sold into slavery by his brothers was transformed into saving a nation from starvation. He later told his brothers, “What you meant for evil God intended for Good.” Paul tells us we will understand things with complete clarity in eternity. Our vision now is clouded as if looking through a dingy mirror. The secret is turning things around to see what God is leading through the current situation. If I can’t find my car keys, God may be leading me outside to a beautiful day for a walk. I think I will stop the frustrating search and just trust him and go on that walk with him; after all I have been created in his image. The more we walk together the better I seem to understand things anyway.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Proper Balance
How close is too close? How far is too far? How much is too much? These are questions we ask as children growing up exploring boundaries in life. As adults we actually continue the same questions often seeking to work out things we still didn’t work out well as kids or we still may be seeking to explore the limits to find the balance for the best life. Balance, boundaries and limits are the key.
Such it is with much of life. Whether seeking love or something to eat one must balance risks with reward. The risk of immediate gratification may lead to disaster down the road. Remember the story most of us heard as children where Esau gave up his entire future for a bowl of soup. I am sure Esau was quite hungry from being out hunting but was it worth his future inheritance? The sad fact about this story is that just that, it is fact! This is not a fairy tale. Jacob and Esau are historic characters from the true account of human failure recorded accurately in the Bible. We still see the same true accounts of human failure recorded each day in our current history. It may be Rick Pitino, Michael Vick, Mark Sandford today or O. J. Simpson, Bill Clinton or a long list from a our recent past. The names may change, but the story essentially remains the same, people throwing away life, reputation, character and more for the ‘pleasure’ of a moment or the temptation of believing the rules do not apply to them.
A 65 foot waterfall named Dry Falls flows on the Cullasaja River through the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. Dry Falls flows over an overhanging bluff that allows visitors to walk up under the falls and remain relatively dry. One can hear the tremoundous sound of the powerful waterfall and feel the mist of the cool mountain stream, if you keep your balance and stay within safe the prescribed boundaries you will remain safe and enjoy the thrill of the falls. However if you are tempted to have a greater thrill and think somehow that the barriers are for less able people and you sneak past the prescribed boundaries you can silp and crash over the side to certain injury and perhaps death. I share the Dry Falls analogy to make the point of human failure to balance the risk of temptation for adventure while staying safe within the prescribed boundaries.
I have enjoyed risk of adventure much of my life. I was once in a conference on fear where we were asked to write our fears on a sheet of paper. Not trying to be macho, I simply wrote one line, “I am afraid I am going to miss something.” I don’t want to leave this life without experiencing all God has for me. That means I have to balance the risk of enjoying adventure with the care of not screwing up a risky adventure and checking out of life too quickly. You may remember the well documented final words of a red-neck, “Hey ya’ll wach this!” It also means I need to remember that a lifetime of integrity can be destroyed in a moment’s foolish disgression. The Apostile Paul described the balance well in I Corinthians 10:23 when he said, "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us that whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, we are to do it all for the glory of God.
Finding the balance in what is beneficial and constructive is the key. Life is far too precious to be wasted on the temptation of what seems to be pleasure for a moment. It is meant to be enjoyed but handled with care. Therefore, here is where I have found the key to balance in my life. In all things I think, do and say I ask; is this permissible, is this constructive and does it glorify God?
Such it is with much of life. Whether seeking love or something to eat one must balance risks with reward. The risk of immediate gratification may lead to disaster down the road. Remember the story most of us heard as children where Esau gave up his entire future for a bowl of soup. I am sure Esau was quite hungry from being out hunting but was it worth his future inheritance? The sad fact about this story is that just that, it is fact! This is not a fairy tale. Jacob and Esau are historic characters from the true account of human failure recorded accurately in the Bible. We still see the same true accounts of human failure recorded each day in our current history. It may be Rick Pitino, Michael Vick, Mark Sandford today or O. J. Simpson, Bill Clinton or a long list from a our recent past. The names may change, but the story essentially remains the same, people throwing away life, reputation, character and more for the ‘pleasure’ of a moment or the temptation of believing the rules do not apply to them.
A 65 foot waterfall named Dry Falls flows on the Cullasaja River through the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. Dry Falls flows over an overhanging bluff that allows visitors to walk up under the falls and remain relatively dry. One can hear the tremoundous sound of the powerful waterfall and feel the mist of the cool mountain stream, if you keep your balance and stay within safe the prescribed boundaries you will remain safe and enjoy the thrill of the falls. However if you are tempted to have a greater thrill and think somehow that the barriers are for less able people and you sneak past the prescribed boundaries you can silp and crash over the side to certain injury and perhaps death. I share the Dry Falls analogy to make the point of human failure to balance the risk of temptation for adventure while staying safe within the prescribed boundaries.
I have enjoyed risk of adventure much of my life. I was once in a conference on fear where we were asked to write our fears on a sheet of paper. Not trying to be macho, I simply wrote one line, “I am afraid I am going to miss something.” I don’t want to leave this life without experiencing all God has for me. That means I have to balance the risk of enjoying adventure with the care of not screwing up a risky adventure and checking out of life too quickly. You may remember the well documented final words of a red-neck, “Hey ya’ll wach this!” It also means I need to remember that a lifetime of integrity can be destroyed in a moment’s foolish disgression. The Apostile Paul described the balance well in I Corinthians 10:23 when he said, "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us that whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, we are to do it all for the glory of God.
Finding the balance in what is beneficial and constructive is the key. Life is far too precious to be wasted on the temptation of what seems to be pleasure for a moment. It is meant to be enjoyed but handled with care. Therefore, here is where I have found the key to balance in my life. In all things I think, do and say I ask; is this permissible, is this constructive and does it glorify God?
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
This is Not a Drill!
“This is not a drill!” Those words are a wake up call to let the hearer know this is the real deal. Everything counts for real. There are no times for mistakes. This is no longer a rehearsal. Make everything count (get the point?). There are times when we get that call in life. Often it comes as a crisis event that causes us to realize how much we take this brief fragile life for granted. However, I am amazed at the number of people who still do not respond to their “This is not a drill!” call. Most continue poor health, social, emotional and spiritual habits and waste precious moments that we will never see again.
Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” This is an interesting choice of words. First we are told to make the most of every opportunity by being careful and wise. This is spiritual wisdom. One who is spiritually mature lives with care making wise choices to make the most of each moment for Godliness.
Don Whitney gives the following insight on the best use of time in his book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life: “To use time wisely "because the days are evil" is a curious phrase embedded in the inspired language of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:15-16: "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil" (NASB). Paul may have exhorted the Christians at Ephesus to make the most of their time because he and/or the Ephesians were experiencing persecution or opposition (such as in Acts 19:23-20:1). In any event, we need to use every moment with wisdom "because the days are evil" still.Even without the kind of persecution or opposition known by the Christians of Paul's day, the world we live in is not conducive to using time wisely, especially for purposes of spirituality and Godliness. In fact, our days are days of active evil. There are great thieves of time that are minions of the world, the flesh, and the Devil. They may range in form from high-tech, socially acceptable preoccupations to simple, idle talk or ungoverned thoughts. But the natural course of our minds, our bodies, our world, and our days leads us toward evil, not toward Christlikeness.
"Thoughts must be disciplined, otherwise, like water, they tend to flow downhill or stand stagnant. That's why in Colossians 3:2 we're commanded, "Set your mind on the things above." Without this conscious, active, disciplined setting of the direction of our thoughts, they will be unproductive at best, evil at worst. Our bodies are inclined to ease, pleasure, gluttony, and sloth. Unless we practice self-control, our bodies will tend to serve evil more than God. We must carefully discipline ourselves in how we "walk" in this world, else we will conform more to its ways rather than to the ways of Christ. Finally, our days are days of active evil because every temptation and evil force are active in them. The use of time is important because time is the stuff of which days are made. If we do not discipline our use of time for the purpose of Godliness in these evil days, these evil days will keep us from becoming Godly."
Most of us spend (or waste) so much time on things that do not matter in the end or improve the quality of life. James 4:14 reminds us how frail and brief life can be with the rhetorical question and answer, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” The older I get the more I realize this. I also realize the things that matter are those that will last beyond this life; love and relationships that we will carry into eternity. I love to have fun with my time, ask anyone who knows me and tries to follow or keep up with me, but like Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-13 I have learned the secret. So friends, as you go about life today and each day, as time and the days go by give thought to all you do, enjoy, make the most of the time, live abundantly (John 10:10) and whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” This is an interesting choice of words. First we are told to make the most of every opportunity by being careful and wise. This is spiritual wisdom. One who is spiritually mature lives with care making wise choices to make the most of each moment for Godliness.
Don Whitney gives the following insight on the best use of time in his book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life: “To use time wisely "because the days are evil" is a curious phrase embedded in the inspired language of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:15-16: "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil" (NASB). Paul may have exhorted the Christians at Ephesus to make the most of their time because he and/or the Ephesians were experiencing persecution or opposition (such as in Acts 19:23-20:1). In any event, we need to use every moment with wisdom "because the days are evil" still.Even without the kind of persecution or opposition known by the Christians of Paul's day, the world we live in is not conducive to using time wisely, especially for purposes of spirituality and Godliness. In fact, our days are days of active evil. There are great thieves of time that are minions of the world, the flesh, and the Devil. They may range in form from high-tech, socially acceptable preoccupations to simple, idle talk or ungoverned thoughts. But the natural course of our minds, our bodies, our world, and our days leads us toward evil, not toward Christlikeness.
"Thoughts must be disciplined, otherwise, like water, they tend to flow downhill or stand stagnant. That's why in Colossians 3:2 we're commanded, "Set your mind on the things above." Without this conscious, active, disciplined setting of the direction of our thoughts, they will be unproductive at best, evil at worst. Our bodies are inclined to ease, pleasure, gluttony, and sloth. Unless we practice self-control, our bodies will tend to serve evil more than God. We must carefully discipline ourselves in how we "walk" in this world, else we will conform more to its ways rather than to the ways of Christ. Finally, our days are days of active evil because every temptation and evil force are active in them. The use of time is important because time is the stuff of which days are made. If we do not discipline our use of time for the purpose of Godliness in these evil days, these evil days will keep us from becoming Godly."
Most of us spend (or waste) so much time on things that do not matter in the end or improve the quality of life. James 4:14 reminds us how frail and brief life can be with the rhetorical question and answer, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” The older I get the more I realize this. I also realize the things that matter are those that will last beyond this life; love and relationships that we will carry into eternity. I love to have fun with my time, ask anyone who knows me and tries to follow or keep up with me, but like Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-13 I have learned the secret. So friends, as you go about life today and each day, as time and the days go by give thought to all you do, enjoy, make the most of the time, live abundantly (John 10:10) and whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
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