Lying Around

Have you ever thought about what a marvel sleep is?  I think of it as God's way of turning off the human machine, so that it can recharge.  In addition, sleep cleanses the human mind and the body, down to the cellular level.  Amazing!  Scientists have not yet determined all that occurs when we sleep.

There is such a thing as getting too much of a good thing, however.  One of the signs of depression, for instance, is sleeping too much of the time.  Sleep becomes an escape or avoidance mechanism, keeping the sick person from dealing with the real world.  Too much sleep is also a symptom of laziness, although I think that "lying around" might be a more apt description of what the scriptures intend in Proverbs 6:6-11(ESV)

6Go to the ant, O sluggard;

consider her ways, and be wise.

7Without having any chief,

officer, or ruler,

8she prepares her bread in summer

and gathers her food in harvest.

9How long will you lie there, O sluggard?

When will you arise from your sleep?

10A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the hands to rest,

11and poverty will come upon you like a robber,

and want like an armed man.

This is not to pick on modern ways at all; but, if we are honest, we will admit that "work" has changed a great deal in the past 50 years.  A huge amount of work has been transferred from the physical realm into the world of cyberspace, something King Solomon knew nothing about.  I don't think anyone would call the person who works at home in front of his computer "lazy" or as the Bible puts it "being a sluggard".  It is merely a different method of earning a living.

However, with the cyberworld at our fingertips (literally), it is seductive to jump into that world for pleasure's sake, when we should be doing something more productive.  Let's go back to the topic of sleep for a moment.

The human body is designed to wake with the morning light and to "head for the recharger" (the bed) shortly after dark.  God has given us the ability to manipulate that natural sleep cycle.  And, those who "work 3rd shift", for example in convenience stores and hospitals and factories, do so by necessity.  Huge kudos to them for their sacrifices!  Often, they do not get 8 hours of interrupted sleep, simply because they are trying to sleep while the rest of the world is up and about.  It's a huge challenge.

But, often (and honestly, this can occur via a good book, or even excessive knitting{!} so not picking on "technology" here) - - - we use our technology as an escape from other responsibilities, spending hours playing online games, immersing ourselves in virtual worlds, when that time could be put to much better use.  Often, we cheat our sleep to do this, and that is not only mentally unhealthy, we can reap negative consequences in our physical health.

All that being said, there are "morning people" and "night people".  As biological units (unique creations of the Master Creator, Jesus Christ), we usually figure out into which camp we fall. Furthermore, some of us need 8-10 hours of sleep each night in order to feel good and function at optimum performance.  Others, like my brother-in-law, can function perfectly well, thank you, on 4-5.  (I know you don't believe that, and it IS rare; but, he is in excellent health and has been doing this by his own choice for decades....)

God's creation is not perfect.  It became broken by sin, beginning in the Garden of Eden.  When Man fell, so did creation, and it has been "groaning" ever since (Romans 8:22).  Still, God's creation is pretty doggone marvelous!  You don't find many indolent, lazy ants, or bees (the Septuagint includes the example of industrious bees in vs. 11 of today's passage), or eagles or squirrels.  If they did not obey their God-ordained impulses to prepare for lean times, they would not survive!

The same scriptural principle applies to us as well.  If we spend all we have on the immediate, not saving for "a rainy day".... If we waste our health, not caring for it so that latter years can be enjoyed ... if we squander opportunities God puts in our path daily ... if we neglect our prayer life and Bible study ... will we then be prepared for when those times of testing and trial come?  No.  We won't.

So, I am going to think about this some more today and try to think more proactively, to use my time more wisely, to prepare for my future more intelligently, so that I can be of ultimate use to the Lord for as long as He allows me to remain here.   Here's one final thought....

The best "prep" or investment is in God's kingdom, serving others according to the spiritual gifts and earthly resources He has provided.  The ant, after all, worships God by doing what He created her to do and doing it with passion!  What a joy when each of us, God's own beloved children, can say and do the same!

Tired ... So Tired

Tonight is the night of the 2016 presidential Iowa caucuses, and God knows there are a lot of tired politicians and political hacks out there.  Most of them are laboring, trying to deliver a victory for their candidate, because they believe he or she is the very best person for the job.  Tonight is when "the rubber" begins to meet "the road".  It is the first opportunity for a victory, in a long line of opportunities.

Today's passage, from Galatians 6:9-10, is about what to do when you are tired to very depths of your soul.  Check it!

9-10 So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.   

(The Message version)

In verse 9, a key point is getting tired from "doing good".  What does that mean?  If you are a Christian, you have a "calling" of some type, from your Savior, your God.  You may not believe this to be true, because Satan has duped believers into accepting that there is the clergy (the professional godly people - - whuuuuuh?) and  - - here's your $10,000 word-of-the-day - - the laity (the people in the pews).  But, bottom line, Jesus did not issue The Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20) to only the clergy.  At the very least, we are ALL commanded to share the gospel, in some way or the other, as God gives us opportunities to do so.  And, He does.

So, Paul is assuming here, rightly so, that Christians will be carrying out the "callings" God has placed on their lives.  A parent's calling is obviously to raise her or his children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord", for example (Eph. 6:4).  A fellow believer said recently that if a believer is not fulfilling his calling, he is walking in disobedience.

No matter what calling God has given to you, you WILL get tired, and discouraged, and disgusted, and scared.  You will get angry at God and want to absolutely GIVE.UP.
I'm sorry to tell you - - - this is to be expected.
Why?
Because you are in a spiritual war.  Anytime and every time you yield yourself to the Holy Spirit in order to fulfill your calling, you will be opposed by the enemy, the evil one who is literally "hell-bent" on your destruction.
Isn't that just all flowers and bells?

Fortunately (oh yes!), God gives us His promise at the end of verse 9.  Don't quit.  Don't give up.
If you persevere, you will reap a harvest, a "good crop".

Some of you aren't "seeing" that right now.  But, look.  You aren't promised to see it.  Sorry!

I think of Vincent Van Gogh, who sold exactly one of his paintings during his lifetime1.  Yet, if you are at all educated, you've heard of the art of Vincent Van Gogh!  In fact, go google "Van Gogh at the Museum" and watch that vid, to get a sense of what I'm talking about here.  And, Van Gogh was a pagan, if I remember correctly!  How much more will our God do with our willing, persevering hearts if we will only trust Him and believe?  How much more!

The Scriptures say, "at the right time".  That's not your time.  That's on God's timetable.  HE gets to decide when "the right time" is.  Unfortunately, some of us play right into Satan's hands over timing. We get so discouraged at a lack of results, we just "chuck it all".  We do not live in a patient society. We live in a world where everything is instant, instant, right NOW!  Therefore, we expect our ministries to be the same.

So, let's persevere, people of God.  Go to Jesus when you are weary, and He will give you rest (Matt. 11:29).  Then, after He has restored your soul, get back out there, as Galatians 6:10 says.  "The test of your character is what it takes to stop you.  Finish the job!"1 Every time you get the chance, bless the people of God as well as the unsaved around you.  Be open-handed!  Give of your heart.  Give of your time. Give of yourself to advance Christ's kingdom.  Nothing ever given to God was ever wasted, nor will it ever be!

Father, even You rested, on the seventh day.  It is normal for us to get tired, in this war in which your gospel of salvation is continually opposed.  Thank you for being our source of rejuvenation, comfort and rest!  Thank you for equipping us because, you don't call the equipped; you equip the called! Help us to remember that and, like Winston Churchill said, "Never, never, never give up." as we keep walking in faith, fulfilling the calling you have given each of us.  In Jesus' name, amen
.
Source:

1  http://painting.about.com/od/paintingtrivia/f/van-gogh-first-painting-sold.htm
2  http://strader.cehd.tamu.edu/BobJonesQuotes.php

Embracing the Paradoxes and Making the Trade

Today's Scripture is Matthew 11:25-30.  This passage was brought to my heart and mind this morning, in conjunction with the one I shared about yesterday, the "take up your cross daily" passage.

I got to thinking....that sounds awfully burdensome, doesn't it?  Who would want to do that?  It makes the Christian life sound like drudgery!

The Bible is an amazingly complex book.  We are told that it is "God-breathed", or "inspired by God".  His Holy Spirit "breathed out" the words to the human authors of each of the books of the Holy Scriptures.  That being said, it often seems confusing and even contradictory.  However, when we take the Scriptures as a whole, the entire, complete picture emerges as the Holy Spirit enlightens us.  This complexity is why we can study the Bible for a lifetime and still not understand it all.

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son decides to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”

Look at what Jesus tells us in the first couple of verses of today's passage.  He is praying to Father God and praising Him that the deep teachings of the Christian walk are not easily discerned.  Hmmmm...now why would He rejoice in that?  Because, the Godhead wants us to seek Him, to draw near to Him in order to deepen our relationship with Him.

Jesus goes on to thank Father that these understandings will only be revealed to those "little children", the humble ones whom He, Jesus, chooses to reveal them to.  He was praying this in the presence of His disciples, whom He had chosen.  All of this sounds awfully exclusionary, doesn't it?

But then!  Look at verses 28-30.  Paradoxically, He thens speaks directly to the disciples (and to us), issuing this beautiful, all-inclusive invitation.  This invitation is for anyone who will humbly seek Him.   Praise the LORD!

{The Classical Era composer George Frederich Handel set this Scripture passage to music as part of his masterwork, "The Messiah".  I always hear that beautiful music when I read this passage.  I think Handel pictured it beautifully in his lyrical, restful soprano/alto duet.  YouTube it today if you have a chance.  You'll be blessed!}

Jesus invites us to come to Him and lay our heavy burdens down, to trade them for His "yoke" (His cross) and to learn from Him.  Again, this sounds very heavy and unappealing, doesn't it?

The analogy Christ used here is one with which the disciples would have been familiar.  Oxen pulling a plow or a cart would have had a heavy, wooden beam (a yoke) across their backs.  The yoke ensured that the oxen would be steered in the right direction and, if a team of oxen was used, that they would "pull together" to get the job done.

Although a yoke does not sound pleasant, Jesus assures us that His "yoke is easy" and His "burden is light".  How can that be?  Paradoxical, right?

He is not a cruel taskmaster.  He says that He is "meek and lowly of heart".  Another version phrases it:  "gentle and humble in heart".  Wow.  The God who created all that is....He wants to lead us, teach us gently and humbly.  How amazing!

Lay YOUR heavy burdens down at the feet of Jesus today.  Take His yoke on your back.  Take His cross on your back today.  Make the trade!  He promises that if we do that and seek Him, learn from Him that we "will find rest for our souls."  The apostle Peter echoes this command in 1 Peter 5:7 when he says, "Throw all your cares on Jesus, because He cares for you!"

I can't explain this paradox to you, Christian.  I can only testify to you that I have found it to be true in my life.  And, I urge you to do it today, and every day.  Embrace the paradox!  And, find rest for your soul.

Good morning, Lord Jesus!  Thank you for including all people in your invitation to draw near to You.  Only in You can we find rest for our souls.  Thank you for your precious Word of God to us, the Bible, which we can study and pray over as we draw near to You.  Holy Spirit, thank you for enlightening our hearts, minds and souls as we draw near and study the Scriptures.  Today, let us find rest for our souls when we joyfully take our Lord's yoke up and place it across our shoulders.  Fill us today, Holy Spirit!  Empower us to magnify the name of our great God, as a lost and dying world watches.  We love you, Lord!