It's Not So Far Away

That job we set our sights on as college freshmen seems a lifetime away. Still emotionally in high school, we don't realize the importance and brevity of 4 or 6 years of study. Once the excitement of our "freedom" wears off, we see the reality of that job market looming closer. It seems to gain speed as it races in our direction. What is done in preparation now has a huge impact on our effectiveness after graduation. It all matters.

Looking back just eight years or so, it was Suzuki violin, piano lessons, the odd trumpet lesson, playing together as a family on occasions, recitals and the usual agenda in junior and high school grades. Then some extra private lessons, summer music excursions, chamber music opportunities, and before we knew it an audition for Curtis and Cleveland Institute. Almost over night we left behind boyhood, and saw a competitor fast getting ready for some terrific opportunities.

Then in just a couple of days it all changed. The horizon suddenly jumped miles closer. Next year was college! Bills began, along with many "classrooms." Those classrooms were much more than academic. Such is growth. Life is more than the practice room and the concert stage. Preparation for that had also begun years before. As was mentioned by a good friend to his son, "You're the ship we have been building. Now we're sending you out to sea to see if you can float." Gee thanks, Dad!

Fast forward in a blur just 4 years plus a couple of months and that future job horizon is here! The little fellow spilling cereal on purpose and improvising improvements to those Suzuki songs is now ready to leave college to take his first job in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra viola section. After being one of the top 2, Wes played one week with them and was selected to take up his belongings and assume his first job beginning this May.

We blink, and it all changes so fast. We can't control the approaching horizon, but we can do our best to prepare.

Guilty, innocent, or in between?

Our answers and responses usually indicate far more than the words we speak. A politician who suddenly becomes upset and even angry at a simple question has just told us a lot about himself. A sarcastic defensive retort tells everyone that there just might be something to the charge. If we're innocent, then there's no need for an emotional response. Good leaders shouldn't be easily provoked, and doing the right thing needs no defense.

Old Testament Scripture gives a good test for discerning truth or lie. The person in question was given bitter dust to eat. If he had been lying, strong physical symptoms would be his dead give away. If he had been truthful, the dust would have no effect. His immune system proved strong enough to withstand the test. The guilty succumb while the innocent are unscathed.

Living with guilt and bitterness soon evidences itself and affects all of our dealings. Jesus said that which enters a man does not defile him, but that which comes out. Whatever we allow in makes its home and will soon produces its fruit, good or bad. No amount of stoic self control will succeed in masking the true self. The damage is done internally and externally.

Paul also gives a humility check. Being quick to critically condemn others only indicates that we are just as guilty. The critical, negative spirit, the cutting words and angry responses only serve to condemn ourselves and prove to others that control is an issue.

Unfortunately even partial guilt can produce the same defensive tendencies. Teflon works best with an unflawed surface. Nothing sticks. Power, influence and health are nice benefits for remaining not guilty. Thanks to the Lord for being the only one who can wipe the slate clean and produce an immune system that enjoys innocense.

Teflon man

They used to call Ronald Reagan the Teflon Man. No matter what charges they threw at him, nothing would stick. Charming and good natured, he easily disarmed his harshest critics, usually turning the tables on them. His sense of humor along with strong confidence in who he was and in what he believed proved to be his great strengths.

Doctors tell us that were it not for healthy immune systems we would easily succumb to every viruse and disease. We actually are exposed to, and even carry many of these potential killers. However, "the terrain is everything. The microbe is nothing". Weaken the terrain, and the microbe takes over. Strengthen resistance and the disease never has a chance.

The concept works in politics and in medicine. How about personally, spiritually and socially? Life comes at us steadily with all its annoyances, problems and imperfections. How we manage them is the key. Or better, how we view them is crucial. And what purposes are attached to all of these intrusions? Are we allowing them to strengthen or weaken us? Are we resistant as teflon, or attractive as a magnet? Are we able to deal with stuff, or are we felled by every one of life's blows? The perspective we choose determines everything.

Take Joseph in Genesis, who suffered injustices that would easily overwhelm most of us. His summary: "You meant it for evil, God used it for good." Ten of the spies sent to appraise the promise land feared the obstacles and the enemies. Only two viewed the same evidence confidently confirming that God had promised it to them. David saw the same Philistine giant that his brothers and the whole Israeli army saw. However his perspective was different. Cowardice, doubt and negativity had no chance to thrive. He seemed immune to them.

James tells us to welcome the various unpleasantries of life with joy, because of the strength and endurance they can produce. But again, it is how we look at them that counts. Paul learned that when he was weak, Christ's strength then became his strength. Gladly then he would rejoice in the face of exasperating difficulties. Peter says that it takes fire to refine gold. The greater the heat, the more the impurities are purged. Similarly the church has always thrived under intense persecution. A solution to a proper response is seeing a bigger picture than the problem, and finding its purpose.

In short, all of the difficulties are designed by God to show his children the sin-resistant nature He has given. He doesn't make it impossible for the Christian to sin. He makes it possible for the Christian not to sin. Sin shouldn't find a home in us. What appears as intense trials are sent to prove to us what strength has already been given. That strength is there to resist by nature a fleshly response. It is the Word that builds faith, and faith strengthens the immune system.

Like Ronald Reagan, the believer finds a peaceful, calm strength in the face of even the most trying of circumstances.

How awesome is this place!

Another thing is noticed in the passage about Jacob in Genesis 28. He had seen that the Lord was right there and marveled that he did not know it. Now Jacob exclaimed, "How dreadful, or awesome, is this place. This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

More than seeing that God was actually there and active on his behalf, was his realization of the seriousness of what was happening. We can agree that God surely is working, but have little or no emotion or awareness of the holy ground we are on. If nothing changes, we haven't gotten it. In other words, our response should be: Wow, I didn't realize all that was going on. This is amazing! Things cannot stay the same. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Moses found himself confronted with God's presense at the burning bush. God, declaring it holy ground, said "remove thy shoes". His life was about to change dramatically. Isaiah fell in fear at the vision of the presense of the Lord. Likewise Joshua before the captain of the Lord's host. Holy encounters produced new men. For Jacob, the many layers of his thick-skinned stubborness were being steadily and patiently pealed away by the Lord, not brutally but gently.

There seem to be two lessons learned that night. The first: The Lord was there and he knew it not. The second: Since the Lord was right there and intimately involved in hour by hour, day by day events, Jacob determined to see God as his protector and provider for the rest of his life. It was a life becoming less about himself and more about his God. Things were changing, not because he had to, but because he was deeply affected by the awesomeness of God and wanted to.

"This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." His daily life was God's business. His life was His house and His gate. What comforting and encouraging news! That was the truth for Jacob, and it is just as true for us.

What we see in others

"Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh. . . .if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." The believer has been changed by God who now sees Christ in us, a sweet smelling savor. There has been major heart surgery, actually a transplant, and an exchange has been made: His righteousness for our sins. We have been given a new identity. We have been made ambassadors with the ministry of reconciliation, and again, amazingly given the righteousness of Christ himself. (II Corinthians 5)

With these things in mind, we are told to henceforth know no one after the flesh. The critical argumentative nature has been dealt with at the cross. Why do we take up our old dead attitudes towards each other? These things ought not so to be, as James says. We frequently behave as though nothing has changed. What an insult to the One who brought about our conversion from those old ways!

I was struck by that phrase in verse 16 of chapter 5 of II Corinthians. Our dealings with each other as believers have a new dimension, new thought patterns, and a new way of speaking. Hasty cruel degrading speech is replaced with patience, long suffering, understanding, compassion, forgiveness, and in general giving each other a break. Instead of being quick to think and say the worst of someone, God gives us the ability to see the best and to edify. Anyone can tear down. We have all been trained well at that.

Rare it is that turbulant situations are met with calm, peaceable wisdom. That is what God does. That is the response that only He can cause to become perfectly natural and normal. The cross is his perfect remedy for our needy speech condition. "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." Ps. 141.3

It is not a short-lived determination to avoid speaking ill, but a reminder that the old man who complains and criticizes has been dealt a death blow. That is no longer us! The "real us" has been changed. When we see in ourselves the work of Christ in transforming our behavior, we can then see the same amazing work in others.

And I Knew it Not

Life couldn't have been better, and yet he didn't get it. Security was his, a marvelous inheritance, counsel, guidance, protection, everything he could think to ask for. Still he didn't quite grasp it, and did not comprehend all of the guarantees that were his. He was living as though he didn't believe it. This is Jacob of Genesis 28:10-19.

It took a dream to wake him to the dimension that he had not seen. The dream from the Lord showed him that he had been and would continue to be in the presence of God for the rest of his life. Angels were seen busy in communication to and from the heavens in the very place where Jacob stood. Above all stood the Lord reminding Jacob that He was the God of Abraham and Isaac. All of the land would be given to him and to his children. Blessings would follow him as well as God's presence and his divine protection. "I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of."

His response: "Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not." This was the dream that was not a dream. This was Jacob's wake-up call. How could he have missed all of this? What was he thinking? "He was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place? This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

The timing is interesting. Jacob would need this encounter with the Lord in light of the events that he was about to face. The reality was that God was ever-present and very active in all of Jacob's daily activities. "I am with thee, and will keep thee in all the places whither thou goest." He is hands-on and sovereign in all of the affairs of men. Too often oblivious to his presence, we behave like little children covering our eyes thinking that our parents can't see us. And like Jacob we awake from our sleep and say in amazement, "Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not."

It All Matters

I have my trumpet issues, or "items" as I like to say, my family items, my church things, etc. Each area tends to have it's own little life. Maybe this compartmentalizing of our lives was born out of the structure of our public school education. First period was science, next, social studies, gym, French, band, Latin, algebra, etc. I did well in some, and miserable in others. Success and failure were only separated by mere minutes as the bell rang and we were off to either triumph or trauma. My high school days were usually lived in a state of exuberance followed by exasperation. Unfortunately this view of life continued well after graduation. Some items were important and mattered while others were ignored. How many hard classes would we rather just skip?

One of the neat things we've been learning recently is probably what should have been learned long ago. Call it Life 101. Sadly some basic things have taken most of a life time for me to begin to grasp. My life as God sees it is not all divided into subjects, nor is it to be micro-managed by me. He has been revealing his deep affection well before those days of algebra and band. My day is all about his attention on me for the purpose of me acknowledging his hand in life's every detail. It is in these details, good and difficult, that He shows His gifts and implanted abilities. He is the teacher of faith in his contant working in symphony rehearsals, teaching of students, living with family, and learning to live with difficult scenarios. Sadly it is so easy to turn a blind eye to his plans as they are unfolding in our daily routines.

This is not to say that life centers around our success and comfort. It's not about getting all A's, but growing to trust Him when the best we can do is a C. His will doesn't center around our lives, but our lives are made for His will. He doesn't fit into our world, but we are brought to participate in his plan for the ages, a much bigger and better picture.

The lesson that is slowly being learned is that it all matters. All that comes our way has its well-intended purpose, and is orchestrated for our best as it fits into God's ongoing plan. It is not about what I can control, what I prefer, what I like or dislike. He is conforming us to Christ and he is using all the events of my schedule to draw my attention to Him. When that begins to sink in, it is supernaturally reflected in our responses to all of our items in life. We have been signed up for those irritating classrooms to develop our trust in Him, and to strengthen us for the rest of life in His plan. From his perspective, all of our items are good, and they all matter.

When Growth Hurts

When doesn't it hurt, is the question? I wonder if our concept of growth is skewed, or maybe even totally opposite of what the ideal conditions are as designed by God. Doesn't the gardener know the best growing conditions for his garden? When did the vegetables ever resist the gardener's plans? Does the clay complain that the potter doesn't know what he is doing?

Scenario #1: Warm and fuzzy things make us feel like we have become strong. Life is good only when it is pain-free. This view says that growth happens when we look back after storms and smile at how God took us through. "My, how you've grown. How sweet!" says grandma! But mom's take is quite different. Her view from day-to-day is probably a much less sweet perspective. This grandparental view is not wrong, but there is much more involved in growth than a fond admiration for the end product. How much deeper the appreciation when the pressures have been borne well. Mom and Dad would be quick to point out the constant growing pains of consistent disciplined training with its necessary corrections, reproofs, and non-stop instructions! Absolutely nothing negative intended towards grandparents, (I am one). But without the tough training of the parents, we might lean towards a pain-free, problem-sparing upbringing. What kind of maturity would result in a struggle-free adolescence? A weak and whiny adulthood.

Scenario #2: Pain happens, and pressures do their pressing on everybody. But agonizing struggles ultimately produce peaceable fruits of righteousness when the gardener is trusted, and when the potter is patiently allowed to do his molding. Remembering the bigger picture, even when the vice seems to be twisting ever tighter, is our best medicine. God's purpose in pressure is refining, maturing, strenthening, and even chastening those he loves. Without seeing his purpose, our responses only frustrate and drive us to further defiance. Without realizing it, we further twist those vice grips.

If life is about growth, then the hurting never stops! It is our view of it that must change. The book of Psalms was written by those who learned to deal with enormous pressures and yet managed to genuinely rejoice on a regular basis. Growth will hurt, but it has its intended purpose. We can survive only with the supernatural help of our Owner. Without any problems, we would have no needs. Our weaknesses serve to show us our desperate dependance on our Creator. His strength, he says, is made perfect in our weakness, (our hurting). The more we hurt, the greater his readiness to reveal Himself in the midst of it all.

Be encouraged. When life hurts, He is growing us. Sometimes we say, "not so fast, please!" But He never gives more than we can handle. He prescribes for us exactly what we need. His fruit soon ripens, and the lumpy clay soon becomes a valuable vessel of honor. Are we not of more value to Him than fruit and pottery?

No Make-Up Needed!

I heard a singer from the Metropolitan Opera interviewed who recalled that in one of his early roles he was selected partly because he would need little if any make-up for the stage! He already "was" that character with no external cosmetics needed. He was ideal for the part.

Psalm 43:5 states that God is the help of our countenance. Unlike the singer, our countenance needs even more than make-up. It requires a total make-over! The verse also says that our soul is in despair, troubled, and disturbed. We need far more than just external maintenance. We need a new power source, a new heart.

This is where God takes over. He must supply from the inside that which externals can only try to imitate or mask. He generates the authentic character of Christ from the very heart. No make-up needed! What you see is what is real. The radiance of His Person is generated from Almighty God in the very innermost parts of our being. Such is the work of God himself. No grease paint, masks or play-acting required. In fact, why try to fake what only our Creator can design? Anything else is hypocritical, phoney and unconvincing.

The point: look to the One who operates on the heart from which all the issues of life emanate. The countenance reflects His mighty work which is done not from without, but from within by Him alone. "He is the help (and sustainer) of my countenance, and my God."

Absolutely Nothing to Bring

What can a poor beggar contribute to the banquet of the King? A few crumbs, some stolen bread, a patched up jacket? Nothing worth anything in the eyes of royalty. Nothing of any eternal value to offer, just filty rags at best. Yet his place is set and the invitation given. Anything good will have to be supplied by the King Himself.

Too proud to accept only hand-outs, the beggar gathers items seeming good in his eyes. "I'll come", he assures, "yet you must accept tokens of my righteousness. Other bums ignore, but I will accept your call." The beggar arrives at the gate with bags of goods to present the King. "These should validate my invitation", the beggar sings, as he rings the bell of the King of Kings.

The door opens wide as the Master welcomes the lowly one. But with one glimpse of the Holy One and the splendor of his wealth, the beggar drops to his knees in shame. "What are these that you have brought?" says the King. "These cannot come inside. All you need must be supplied."

There is none that doeth good, no, not one, he says. But I have called you, redeemed you and given you life. You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. All that the Father has have I given you. You were dead in trespasses and sin, but now you are alive because of the cross of Christ.

Anything "good" we see is not of ourselves, but the gift of God. He gives his righteousness while we have none. What about all the good things we've done? If they are good, then we have received them from the hand of God Himself. We can do nothing or bring anything good of ourselves. Anything good has had to be supplied!

This brings new meaning to Thanksgiving. We have nothing to be grateful for which we have done! All that we have has been supplied!

"To suppose that whatever God requireth of us that we have power of ourselves to do, is to make the cross and grace of Jesus Christ of none effect." John Owens

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." Ephesians 1:3

The Prize Inside

It's the 50's, and my brother and I were off to the news stand to buy some packs of baseball cards! We always hoped to find a superstar to add to our enormous collection of gum-scented players. One day I hit the jackpot! Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra were there in the same pack! Hard to believe, but true. What a find! Life was very good that day! But eventually and sadly the Mickey and Yogi cards were, like the gum, tossed out, and so there went what would have become a fortune in collectibles! In time, all of the cards, the gum and even the players were seen as perishable as well as the joy attached to them.

Yet there is a prize with an eternal shelf life and whose joy never fades. Shelf is the wrong word, for nothing of eternal value belongs on any shelf. Biblical examples abound that illustrate contained treasure: the man who bought property knowing that treasure lay buried somewhere on the premises; the woman who thoroughly cleaned the house to recover a valuable lost coin; the value of leaven as it raises the bread; the buried corn of wheat bringing forth a harvest; or the tiny mustard seed yielding a thousand fold.

More valuable than crops, money and abundance is the prized treasure God gives. And it is contained within believers. "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." (II Cor. 4:6,7)

The valued treasure is the implanted nature of God, purchased and secured by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are decaying vessels containing invaluable treasure, the very nature and mind of Christ empowering the believer and awakening him to the work of God. What a discovery awaits us! We go about our days not as card-holding Christians who show up at meetings, but as those experiencing the ongoing work of our sovereign God, His daily conforming us to Christ. All events of our day are designed to bring to the surface that treasure within, the very person of Jesus Christ himself.

What a find! What a friend, and what a gift!

Faith, the Crown Jewel

"Don't forget to remember" goes the lyrics of some country song. Jesus reminded Peter that although Satan desired to sift him as wheat, he had prayed that his faith would not fail.

Sifting comes in its many forms, some subtle and almost unnoticed, while other enormous pressures and distractions barge in and would seem to overwhelm us. Evidently the most important thing about those storms is not the storm, but faith. The Lord himself prayed on our behalf not that we could side-step the storms, but that the centerpiece of our new nature, our faith, would not be forgotten, but stand strong in the face of adversities.

Our faith is not exactly ours however. It is a gift produced by God's grace. "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." His grace awakened us from our deadened state of trespasses and sins, and produced within us our desire for Christ.

It was the quickening of his Spirit that then jolted us out of darkness into his marvelous light. The prayer of faith was the result of God's working in us. So faith is that crown jewel planted within us by God himself, the trying of which becomes more precious than gold. Peter warns us not to be upset at firey trials, but to expect them. God gives faith, allows it to be tested, often by fire, and then strengthens it! Faith sees the Saviour inspite of the storm, and even instead of the storm!

Imagine, our very Creator looking directly into our eyes and earnestly encouraging us by name. "I have prayed for you that your faith fail not." Faith isn't just for ourselves, for next he says, "when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."

That still small voice in the midst of the storm reminds us: Don't forget to remember your faith.

When the flowers fade

Scrambling to collect the treasures of manna on the ground, the children competed to gather all they could before running back for more. God's daily early morning shower of food was fresh, plentiful and timely. All that was needed was freely provided. The only curse was in ignoring the warning: the shelf life was only 24 hours, and there was to be no gathering on the seventh day.

No problem, they said. Life is good. Let us rejoice and be glad at our generous supply! Eat, drink and be merry. Thirsty travelers then rushed to the cool waters released for them from the rock. Gluttonous complainers almost stampeded to devour quail which deluged the dry land like a flood. Then with the food still in their teeth, God's stinging rebuke reminds us of our pitiful selfish focus. We likewise demand fullfulment of our every need, and we have seldom seriously remembered the One who daily provides for us.

We are blown away by the beauty of awesome natural surroundings. We are dazzled by things rather than by God himself. In the midst of our own pursuits, we forget the One who got us there. We worship the victory, the achievement, the great moments, the prize, all the while refusing to turn our gaze upon the Giver of every good and perfect gift. The breath-taking flowers of the Israeli desert remind us of the glory of Solomon's reign. But the flowers like the grass will shortly fade away as will all the temporary glories of this world.

Where is genuine gratefulness, or the humble thank you to the God of Heaven? Our table grace is no more than lip-service, merely going through the motions to the One who knows even our innermost thoughts!

When the flowers fade, we are reminded of the temporary. Glory is short-lived. Our attachment to the flowers therefore also becomes our reproof. Our treasure is not in flowers, and when they fade, we should not be surprised. If we lament their fading, we have forgotten something. Our attention and affection is in Heaven. We honor Him, provisions or no provisions.

"For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land . . . . When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. . . Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God . . . then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God. . . and thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth . . . for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth." (Deuteronomy 8)

Claiming our reality

Lottery winners were just announced. I'm told that I am a winner. No way! Too good to be true. Can't actually be me. I might call to verify that they chose my number, but surely there must be some mix-up. It's all a gimmick anyway. Why bother to pursue it. My life probably won't change.

How absurd a response! Why not claim the prize? It might be a bit strange to compare the fortunes of the lottery with the implanted work of God in a believer. The thought is that just as a winning ticket may go unclaimed, so too the eternal gifts of God to his children often go unnoticed or unappreciated and unused. How tragic that the value of His work ignored is far worse than a fortune unclaimed.

We should be startled (and jump-started) by the promises in Scripture that we may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing that we need! Maturity is promised, being thoroughly equipped by our Creator for every good work, every opportunity, in season and out. Starting with the faith that He gives, we see Him adding layers of virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. Hard to believe, but joy is a part of the package as well, a peaceful contentment even in the face of adversity.

And the promise, the lottery prize: if these qualities are in us and abound, they guarantee that we shall never fall! Likewise His control of our thinking produces controlled speech which promises total control of the whole body. We also have the confidence that nothing we encounter has not first been allowed by Christ and has therefore been given purpose. It is all prescribed for our good, and He has thoroughly equipped us for all occasions. We are soldiers armed with hi-tech gear that makes us more than conquerors. We are programmed for success and whatsoever we do shall prosper!

It is vital to recognize that our equipment is designed to be used, not talked about. Trials are not designed to defeat us, but to show us the strength we have been given. Adversity provides opportunity for the exercising of our gifts. In fact, the more armed we are, the more it is that pressures can prove our mettle. Our weaknesses are the starting point for His strength. The problem is that when confronted with adversity, we faint, give up and fail to utilize our heavenly technology, the invincible spirit-filled new nature!

We ourselves are not strong. We are easily defeated without the gifts and armor of Christ. There is therefore no room for pride in our position, only confidence in His provision. Our winning fortunes are given by Christ. He has called us to believe Him and trust his empowerment in our daily living. Daily doses of the Word connect our thinking to this reality. Without the Word we forget who we are and become blinded to the purposes of our struggles.

Humbling it is to remember that the generous benefits God offers are not free. They were purchased by Him at great cost, the death of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Now they can be freely offered to all takers who will believe.

Have you claimed your winning lottery ticket, and are you using its benefits?

Doing more than monkey business

Remember the three monkeys? Monkey #1 defiantly refused to see anything. Monkey #2 is determined not to listen to anything. And #3 will say nothing, not even a comment, yea or nay. Each has noble motives, or so it appears, purposing no contact with any evil whatsoever! Inspite of their stubborness, you have to admire their intentions. If only more of us monkeys would be as resolved, we would avoid foot-in-mouth embarrassments as well as many other contaminations! These three teach us among other things, that good intentions alone are not enough.

Consider another set of three types of people mentioned in Scripture. Two exhibit admirable qualities although severely handicapped, and the third is our example to follow. Whereas the monkeys were in denial, these three seem to be just the opposite, eager to see, hear, and receive instruction!

The first is the hearer. He is present every time instructions are given. He is all ears, he nods with approval and says "amen to that!" Unfortunately that is as far as he goes, ready to hear, but slow to move, and missing in action. Initially he is on fire, but nowhere to be found at the end of the day. By failing to act upon that which he hears, he deceives others as well as himself. Something is wrong with this picture. He is not as committed as he appears.

The second is very wise, or so it seems. This is the knower, the "wise" man. He assures all that he's been there and done that, offering advice and counsel for all situations. Given all his wisdom however, his track record is strangely disappointing, for he is content only with compiling information for show, and not with being an example. Worse is the fact that without first-hand experience, his counsel can be unreliable. The danger looming for him is that his life is in conflict with his knowledge. Something troubling is also very wrong in this picture. He knows the truth but chooses to live otherwise. Eventually his life style will override his knowledge, and his beliefs will soon conform to the way he lives. This person cannot be trusted and is already in motion on a slippery slope.

Although both the hearer and the knower are flawed, they should not be thrown out with the bath water. The challenge is to show them the danger they are in, and then to motivate them to experience the truth to which they have been exposed.

Our example is the doer. He hears and understands, but he also is able to apply what has been learned. He speaks from experience and the consistency of his life is his most impressive credential. Of what value is the intent listener, or the man with knowledge, if few if any are ultimately benefitted by their lives? Doers succeed, improve the lives of others, and make excellent leaders. Surely the tongue must be bridled, the eye guarded, and the life kept unspotted from the world, but he that does the will of God abides forever.

The direction of ordinary days

There seem to be very few special days in life. It is easy to think they are all ordinary, even sub-ordinary. We view most days as normal, uneventful or boring in the grand scheme. The few days that distinguish themselves as special are going to happen: Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, birthdays, beginning a new year of classes, a new school, graduation, marriage, babies, etc. The special days however don't happen without the preparation and experience of everyday routines. The key is learning to accept each day, each activity, even each person encountered, as planned and organized by God himself. Each growing season will eventually yield its desired fruit.

For the Christian, reality is that no day should be boring, uneventful or without purpose. Unfortunately, we have often failed to experience this reality. The new nature given at salvation is a forever possession. It is given by God, grown by God, and perfected by Him. Nothing is ordinary about what He implants into believers. The difficulty comes in our learning to recognize His nurturing of that new nature. We need a response of faith that He is active in our day, rather than our usual negative response to only what we see. Regular exposure to His Word will remove the blinders and stimulate growth.

The very thought that another bad day is happening is the proof of God's purpose for us! His strength is perfected in us on our weak days! Every ordinary day is full of opportunities for His greatness to be evidenced. But having forgotten that we were purged from our old sins, we blindly plow through our days unaware of what He is doing for us. All that He has prepared is good. If only we would remember that good qualities are usually grown and strengthened by pressure. Unfortunately there seem to be no shortcuts. So pressure it is, and by His pressure we will grow.

Our forgotten value

If we only really understood our true value! Because we often have a wrong perspective of ourselves, we also see others in the same negative light. The key is how God sees us? How should we then see ourselves, and how should that affect our treatment of others?

MY WORLD
We easily underestimate our worth as individuals and try to compensate for our deficiencies by pouring ourselves into our work, hoping to find approval and acceptance. We fear that people will appreciate us only if we excel. Our value becomes connected only to externals, those visible deeds expected of us and for which we become known. Self-esteem rises or falls based on our own perception of our performance or by how we imagine others are viewing us. In short, we are self-focused and wholly dependent upon ourselves for stability. This is a recipe for pride, inferiority and endless disappointments.

A BLURRY WORLD
An inaccurate look at who we are as individuals produces in us a critical spirit towards others. Focusing on their flaws and problems, we can conclude that everyone else sees us with the same disapproval. This judgmental attitude drains energy, and we find ourselves with little patience for others, especially those with the greatest needs. We learn to expect as inevitable life as it has always been, looking at events and people through the prism of past failures. Eventually we conclude that God must certainly think of us in the same way. Hating ourselves and distrusting everyone, we are most miserable.

HIS WORLD
How amazing that God does not think or act like us! Our Maker has a different view of his children. We are not judged by the work we do. We are loved for who we are, or rather who He has made us to become. "You are fearfully and wonderfully made. . . I have loved you with an everlasting love. . . Your sins and iniquities will I remember no more. . . Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God!"

Our acceptance is not based on our performance but on the righteousness given by Jesus Christ. We are of great value to God, so much so that we were purchased with the blood of His own Son. Let us not be be discontent with the Master's working on us. His love for us will then be reflected in our understanding of and compassion for those around us. When MY WORLD and BLURRY WORLD overtakes us with frustrations, let us remember that we are part of HIS WORLD and that we are still of GREAT VALUE.

Your greatest impact

What an amazing recovery! A total transformation had been accomplished! A completely new man had just emerged from years of homelessness, violence, bondage and virtual insanity! Living under torment of the devil in graveyards and often driven into the wilderness, this captive was frequently bound with chains and fetters, and possessed with many demons. Sound familiar? His situation couldn't have been any worse! (Our problems are no match for this man's troubles!) His whole life changed however, when Jesus confronted him, and he found himself sitting in Jesus' presence, clothed and in his right mind.

The first thought is very encouraging. The solution to even the most defiant problems in this world is found in the person of Jesus Christ. In what may have been only a few minutes, that maniac found peace and purpose in his life. The answer is simply a Person, not a philosophy, or a system of gradual improvement. That man of Gadara certainly could not help himself, and so our need can similarly only be met by Christ himself.

Second is the reality of our greatest effectiveness, our central purpose. I notice more than the new purpose is the location of that purpose. This man wanted to continue to stay in Jesus' presence, a natural desire seeing all that had just happened to him. But he was told, "return to thine own house, and show how great things God hath done unto thee." Wouldn't he have preferred to see thousands fed, multitudes healed, and witness first hand the converting of hundreds of his fellow countrymen in great need? But the Lord knew that he would be more effective going home. Indeed, it says that "he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him."

As easy as it is to envy another setting, a different set of circumstances, a completely new set of people, we are told that as with the candle, we are to let the light shine to all that are in the house. Those in our family who know us best will recognize the genuineness of a life transformed by the Lord Jesus Christ. And it is usually there that the greatest challenges can be found. Genuine Christianity is first evidenced by Christ's wonderful work done within our own family! We have been placed exactly where all circumstances are right for our growth and our most effective impact. (Luke chapter 8 and Matthew chapter 5)

How could we have been so blind?

My son-in-law playfully warns his young boys, "there's danger, danger all around!" My grandchildren alertly respond to their dad and continue playing, but with a renewed awareness of dad's presence and protection. Dad provides security and carefully safe-guards his own with a gentle but strong arm. The boys are learning obedience out of great love and respect, and learning it impressively. It will serve them well all of their days.

Life is simple for them now, or so it seems from an adult perspective. At some point however, sooner and later, there will be storms, high waters, heated situations, fearful times, even seemingly overwhelming obstacles. The boys would argue that they are there now! But just wait, and they will only intensify.

Many years pass, each not without their necessary storms. Yet they have all been weathered, and somehow they passed. Walks through turbulance, trips across unknown territories, and trials by fire have come and gone. (A colleague of mine jokingly says, "there, there, that wasn't so good!") Hard as it gets, we survive.

True, but is there something or someone we have missed along the way? Someone we fail to respond to? A Dad who watches us very attentively, and who lovingly protects us? Someone whose voice we choose to ignore? Someone who could spare us enormous stress and anxiety? But for some unknown reason we would not see Him or be comforted by Him? Our loss.

"Thus saith the Lord that created thee, and formed thee, Fear not: for I have called thee by name: thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee: and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee. Fear not: for I am with thee. I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters." This is from Isaiah chapter 43.

The waters and the fires are prescribed and to be expected, but not to be endured alone. Our Maker, Protector, and Guide calls to us, "danger, danger all around", but "fear not, I will be with thee."

Previously unnoticed

Hundreds, maybe thousands of commutes, travels and urgent errands fill the days. Weeks become a pile of years in little time. All the while the view at 65 mile speeds is very limited, making details virtually impossible to discover, or at least easy to ignore. The disabling snowstorm or the traffic-stopping accident however, immediately alters our perspective and forces us to observe life in slower motion. The newness of the slow-moving scenery now makes us wonder if this is actually the same familiar route we have traveled day after day!

Is fast always better than slow? Does too busy have to crowd out everything else? Just because household activities are not visible at high speeds, doesn't mean that they don't exist, or that they are irrelevant. I wonder if in fact, the more important events are taking place just off the thruway, obscured from the view of driven drivers.

Life starts in slow motion, and it appears to end in slow motion. How tragic that it is usually only at these extremes that the beauty of life and its importance are seen and appreciated.

I marvel at the connection that takes place between a grandfather and his grandchild. What do they possibly have in common? Perhaps one answer is their pace. Their speeds and needs, for a small moment in time, are designed to intersect. One slows, while the other grows. For a time they walk in the same lane at the same speed and value the same scenery. But soon their paths will take a new direction. One will pull off at the exit, while the other eagerly joins the highway of life at 65 miles per every hour.