I’m going to celebrate at the finish line; so help me, God!

Remember the fable about a tortoise and a rabbit? It's so improbable! Wearied by the rabbit’s constant boasting,  the turtle challenged him to a race.  What kind of race would this be? The quick rabbit and a short-legged, heavy-shelled turtle in a race?  Aesop, the Greek story-teller who lived about 650 B.C., tells us that Mr. Rabbit ran quickly ahead and turned off the course to find a shade tree and catch a nap. Meanwhile, Mr. Turtle plodded along, not stopping even though he, too, was tired. When rabbit awakened and ran to the finish line, he found turtle waiting for him with a bit of advice - 'slow and steady wins the race!

 

Those who are attractive or blessed with charisma enjoy many advantages in life.  Rewards often go to those who 'look' like winners.  Multiple studies reveal that tall men make more money, on average, than shorter men.  Blonde women are compensated better!  Workers who work out and stay fit are paid more! (You Are Judged by Your Appearance, Forbes, 2013) So, does that mean that all the rest of us are without hope?  If we don't have 'the look'  does it mean we cannot compete in the race, that we will never win?  Not at all!  Stars may get the attention, but the faithful plodders usually make the greatest difference over time.  They compensate for what they lack in 'star power' with hard work, networking, and showing up every day, on time, ready to do what they are asked to do. When the favorite one has dropped out, burnt out, or moved on; the steady one is still standing!

Christian, God values steady, faithful people in His Kingdom. Christianity has its share of super-stars who can tell miracle stories.  The church has a celebrity cult that equals that of the rest of the world.  Our stars come and go, but the work of God is done mostly by servants who work for the joy of the Lord, obscurely, faithfully, and effectively.  The truth is (and you need to believe it) that all of God’s children are gifted children! Teaching about the work of the Holy Spirit, Paul tells us "Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!" (1 Corinthians 12:7, The Message)

Let’s not fall for the lie that we are not _________ (tall, rich, smart, pretty) enough to do well in God’s work.  Let’s not use our perception of some flaw in ourselves as an excuse to avoid serving the Lord.  When things get rough, and they will from time to time,  let’s take the lesson of Hebrews and “fix our eyes on Jesus who for the joy set before Him endured!”   Media portrayals aside, the truth is that Jesus did not rely on His attractiveness. Isaiah tells us that "There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care." (Isaiah 53:2-3, NLT)  But, He served well and saved the world from sin.

Are you overly confident because of your abilities?  Humility invites the real strength of the Spirit.  Are you wearied by rejection?  Take this promise to heart: "This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him." (2 Timothy 2:10-12, NLT)  Keep walking! Take the steady, standing wisdom of God's Word to heart. He says "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ... So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." (Hebrews 10:23-24, 35-36, NLT)

Here is the word from the Word, penned by Paul at the end of his life, a life that many thought was too ordinary, too weak, too flawed to be worth much, but one that God used to change history.

"This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish,
believed all the way.

All that's left now is the shouting—God's applause!
Depend on it, he's an honest judge. He'll do right ... by everyone eager for his coming. " (2 Timothy 4:7-8, The Message)

The celebration at the finish line is going to be some party! I want to finish well and be a part of it, don't you?

_______

You'll Come

I have decided, I have resolved,

To wait upon You, Lord.

My Rock and Redeemer, shield and reward,

I'll wait upon You, Lord.

As surely as the sun will rise,

You'll come to us.

Certain as the dawn appears.

You'll come, let Your glory fall,

As You respond to us.

Spirit, rain;

Flood into our thirsty hearts again.

You'll come, You'll come.

We are not shaken, we are not moved,

We wait upon You, Lord.

Mighty Deliverer, triumph and truth,

We wait upon You, Lord.

As surely as the sun will rise

You'll come to us,

Certain as Your word endures.

Chains be broken, lives be healed!

Eyes be opened, Christ is revealed!

Brooke Ligertwood

© 2007 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

No warmly comforting words here

At the edges of society there are radicals, those who are committed to change, who aim at provoking revolutionary transformation.  The ‘radical right’ aims to dismantle the social welfare structure; the ‘radical left’ uses the state to redistribute wealth. Most Americans do not care for radicals, finding their fiery words and uncompromising positions disturbing which is exactly what any radical tries to be. The passionate belief of a radical makes him a servant to his cause, usually without much regard for the cost to himself. 

Some radicals we come to admire. William Wilberforce, a radical in the English Parliament in the 18^th century, almost singlehandedly stood against slavery for 30 years, until he had convinced enough people to bring about the abolition of slavery in most of the British Empire in 1807!  He was hated by the power establishment in the late 1700’s, considered an intemperate fool by most, but we revere Wilberforce and his passionate radicalism today.  Adolf Hitler was a radical, too. His policies found wide support in Germany and much of the world as he took a nation ruined by the first world war and restored her economy and prestige.  But, his radicalism was shaped by hatred and today we despise him for the millions of murders and the horrors he created.

Jesus calls us to a radical Christianity!  Yes, read that statement again.  The tepid kind of faith that is the normal state for many Christians may win the approval of those we leave undisturbed but the Lord wants more from us.  John heard these words from Jesus. They are not warm, fuzzy, comforting words of a ‘gentle Jesus.’ They are a slap in the face, a wakeup call, surely words for a comfortable Christian in the 21^st century as much as they were for the disciples in Laodicea in 95 A.D.  "These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:14-20, NIV)

When we refuse to dig in, to become servants to the Lord, to love Him radically, His reaction is revulsion.  The literal meaning of ‘spit you of my mouth’ is “You make me want to vomit!”  Radicalism is a dangerous thing. As my two examples show, radicalism needs the right direction and focus.  If we confuse radical service to Christ with alliance to a political party we fail Him. If radical Christians hate people instead of evil, they fail terribly in their mission.  Christians are to be radical in love! They will hate the destruction of a unborn baby but they will love the pregnant woman profoundly. They will hate the greed of the rich that exploits those in miserable poverty, but they will love the rich man who needs to know the grace of Jesus.  They will hate the ugly perversion of pornography but they will reach out to the pornographer with the hope of redemption. They will call out the racist for his bigotry but love him out of his ignorance.

Radicalism is not simple, cheap, or without cost.  How else do you read these words of Jesus? "Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?" (Luke 14:25-31, NIV)  

Yes, a real disciple must consider the cost of abandoning his life for the sake of gaining the Kingdom.  I love and I am disturbed by the words of a radical Christian who died the same year that I was born. Jim Elliot wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” And, he died a martyr, attempting to bring Christ’s gospel to a Stone Age tribe in the Amazon.

A Christian radical is protected by deep humility.  His passionate love for Jesus and others is always focused away from himself.  In the instant that he becomes radically concerned for himself, his rights, his safety, his security – arrogance creeps in and the commitment to Christ’s cause is overtaken by the commitment to my cause.

Here is the word from the Word. 

"On the road someone asked if he could go along. “I’ll go with you, wherever,” he said.
Jesus was curt: “Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.”
Jesus said to another, “Follow me.”

He said, “Certainly, but first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father’s funeral.”

Jesus refused. “First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God’s kingdom!”

Then another said, “I’m ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home.”

Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.” (Luke 9:57-62, The Message)

___________

A Charge To Keep I Have (Boylston)

A charge to keep I have,

A God to glorify.

A never dying soul to save

And fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age,

My calling to fulfill.

O, may it all my powr's engage,

To do my Master's will.

Arm me with jealous care,

As in Thy sight to live,

And, O Thy servant, Lord prepare;

A strict account to give.

Help me to watch and pray

And on Thyself rely,

Assured if I my trust betray,

I shall forever die.

Charles Wesley | Lowell Mason

Words: Public Domain

God’s counsel for a rainy Monday morning

I awakened this morning around 3 worrying, giving things to the Lord, then taking them back!  Do you ever do that?  If we want to worry, there are surely plenty of things to occupy our time.  Wars, terrorism, aging, financial problems, relationships that are not working …  what’s on your list?  Anxiety makes its appearance in many disguises. Some become moody, others withdraw. Some get silly, trying to laugh it away. Some eat too much! Some use alcohol or drugs. Some watch TV, others spend money. Some cry.  Most do not sleep well.   Bob Rosenblatt, a psychologist, writes- "The two things that create anxiety are lack of security and lack of safety. Usually that means financial issues or physical harm. And what is facing most Americans? … We're told to watch out for physical threats all the time. The only normal response to this is an increased level of anxiety."

When I opened the Bible this morning, after my trip to WorryLand during the early morning hours, I chose a beloved passage for my meditation. There I found God’s counsel for a rainy Monday morning. "Rejoice in the Lord always … Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:4-9, NIV)

Christians live in the same world as everyone else! Many Christians are not emotionally healthy because they 'bury' their feelings underneath the words of faith, refusing to acknowledge the reality of their emotions. Do not think you lack faith if you're experiencing elevated levels of anxiety! If you're anxious, admit it!

What then?  The Holy Spirit says we must make some choices about where we put our attention. Look away from the uncertainty to the One who owns you!  Actively put your concerns in His care.  Then, reject the ugly, life draining, self-defeating thought patterns.

These choices will bring the peace of God to our hearts even in the middle of the night.

Living in faith and defeating the anxiety that is common is not just a once and done choice. It is a lifestyle. Just as good health comes from daily choices of food, exercise, and rest; spiritual vitality is sustained by daily decisions.  Among them, we must -

PRAY!  That’s more than talking to God. We must ourselves with God's Presence. Speak honestly with the Lord about the state of your heart. If you're afraid, tell Him. If you're feeling hopeless, tell Him. Remember to include praise and worship in your prayer time. Include time to simply be with God-- perhaps in silence, perhaps in song, or maybe with your favorite worship CD playing.  "Pray without ceasing," (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NKJV)  In other words, live with an awareness of God all of the time.

ENGAGE! Join with other Christians, family, and friends. God never intended for us to 'go it alone.' We need each other. Talk with others. Worship with others. Help your friends by allowing discussions go beyond superficial jokes and laughter. Do not be afraid if emotions bubble to the surface.  One source of anxiety for us is our readiness to write off relationships instead of pursuing reconciliation!  Galatians 6:2  (NLT) teaches us that we must "Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ."   Paul tells us that "When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow. Live in harmony with each other. " Romans 12:15-16 NLT

CHANGE PERSPECTIVE! We can lower our eyes until even the molehill in front of us looks like a mountain. When things pile up, look higher. Like Elisha’s prayer for his fearful companion, pray this - “O God, open his eyes and let him see.”  Make it first person. “Open my eyes!”

Here’s the word from the Word.  Discover new peace for today.  Jesus invites us to His peace.

"Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? …

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans  (people who do not know God) run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:25-33, NIV)

__________________________________

10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) (listen on YouTube)

The sun comes up it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love and You're slow to anger

Your name is great and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years and then forevermore

Bless the Lord O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman
© 2011 Said And Done Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055