When I was in the U.S. Army boot camp, one of the "skills" they taught us was, "Mark-Time". That is where you march in place. Your boots never stop moving but you have no forward momentum. Honestly, everytime I had to "Mark-Time", it annoyed me because I could not see any advantage of stomping in one place and not going anywhere.
Today's spiritual take-away is pretty simple:
"There are days when it doesn't seem like we are gaining on our goals, but it is important to have faith that God is at work behind the scenes."
Some days God expects you to stop pushing because everything happens on His time schedule - not ours.
Remember this:
"God's will is never late, never early, always right on time".
For me, one of the most terribly difficult things that God commands us to do is:
"Wait". Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God".
I am NOT good at waiting. I am more the Tylenol push through the pain kinda guy.
Have you ever shown up for work and slaved all day, only to find that you were unable to finish anything? The whole day was pretty much a bust.
On the other hand, have you ever moseyed through your day at half speed and at the end of day, found every single project finished and complete? How did that happen?
Everything in God's time.
If you read the Gospels (the 1st four books in the New Testament), you will find that Jesus repeatedly said, "Not now, now is not my time". Jesus was working on His Father's timetable, not His own.
This principle should offer you perspective. If Jesus was working on His Father's timetable, how much more should we be aware of living within our Heavenly Father's schedule.
I am going to speculate here on a couple of reasons that God's timetable may demand that you occasionally "Mark-Time" and wait for His command to proceed.
#1. God is working in someone's life and needs more time to work.
God uses circumstances, events and people to bring about life change in people. Of course, it goes without saying that God also utilizes the Holy Spirit and His Word but if someone has a hard heart or a closed mind to God's voice, sometimes He works behind the scenes to soften their heart or open their minds.
#2. God wants to grow your faith.
OUCH. This is never an easy experience.
"Dear brothers and sisters,
when troubles come your way,
consider it an opportunity for great joy.
For you know that when your faith is tested,
your endurance has a chance to grow.
So let it grow, for when your endurance
is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete,
needing nothing." James 1:2-3
"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 10:35-36
Showing posts with label patience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label patience. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
DMV Action
This morning I parked in the lot across the street from the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). Since the funeral I was officiating didn't start for a while, I was going to sit in my pickup and study. However, one of the advantages to having a simple mind is -- I am easily entertained (and obviously distracted).
Apparently the DMV schedules 16 year old "wunna-be" drivers to show up for their drivers test at same time I was supposed to be studying.
The first vehicle to pull up was a small gray SUV with an overly excited 16 year old cowboy (complete with cowboy hat and boots). The young lad jumped out of the SUV and ran to the DMV door, realized he forgot his wallet so he ran back to the SUV to retrieve it. He spun around, wallet in hand and ran to the DMV door, only to realize he forgot something else in the car. As he was making his 2nd trip back to the car, the passenger side door opened and his mother emerged. I am sure she is a very young and beautiful woman but at that moment, she simply looked exhausted.
The mother stood and stared down the street like she was trying to forget why she was there and her 16 year old cowboy bounced up and down trying to get her into the DMV office so he could take his test.
Eventually the poor mother meandered into the DMV with great trepidation. I suspect the heavy weight on her shoulders was in anticipation of her increased gas bill, the frequent trips to Les Schwab for tires, the District Court letters advising of speeding tickets past due, the distinct order of stale beer, or the layers of mud that would quickly cover her SUV after the young cowboy takes his buddies "mudding".
Shortly, the DMV door opened and out poured the young cowboy with a fistful of paperwork and a set of car keys. The DMV license tester eventually came out and sauntered around the SUV. I couldn't tell if he was inspecting it for damage, messing with the young cowboy's patience by taking an incredible amount of time examining the rubber tread on each tire, or simply looking for an excuse not to ride with the over caffeinated young cowboy.
Either way, the vehicle was determined to be in adequate working order and both of them crawled in and prepared for takeoff.
My perspective on this unfolding observation was a very interesting reflection on the different stages of the Christian life. The 3 of them fairly accurately portrays a rookie believer, a mid-life Christian and an older mature Saint that is faithfully serving Jesus Christ.
When people first trust Jesus Christ as Savior they are so excited they can't wait to tell their family, their coworkers, their friends, and anyone else they encounter at the WalMart. Their enthusiasm knows no bounds. In fact, they find themselves curiously annoying to the old salty dog Christians that have weathered decades of storms.
Then there is the mid-season of the Christian life where you have tasted just enough of life's battles and disappointments that your perspective is jaded. You search your heart for that enthusiasm and find that it missing in action. You are still in the game but your passion is less than contagious and you have that 1000 yard stare that is common in battle weary soldiers.
Finally, there is the mature stage. You are mentoring others in the Christian faith and find yourself spoon feeding God's Word to the rookies. You are coming along side the mid-season Christians, encouraging them to not loose faith because God will bless their faithfulness if they stay in the battle (Galatians 6:9). God has put you in both their lives as both an example and a resource to equip them, protect them, guide them, and nurture them.
"You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others" 2 Timothy 2:2
Apparently the DMV schedules 16 year old "wunna-be" drivers to show up for their drivers test at same time I was supposed to be studying.
The first vehicle to pull up was a small gray SUV with an overly excited 16 year old cowboy (complete with cowboy hat and boots). The young lad jumped out of the SUV and ran to the DMV door, realized he forgot his wallet so he ran back to the SUV to retrieve it. He spun around, wallet in hand and ran to the DMV door, only to realize he forgot something else in the car. As he was making his 2nd trip back to the car, the passenger side door opened and his mother emerged. I am sure she is a very young and beautiful woman but at that moment, she simply looked exhausted.
The mother stood and stared down the street like she was trying to forget why she was there and her 16 year old cowboy bounced up and down trying to get her into the DMV office so he could take his test.
Eventually the poor mother meandered into the DMV with great trepidation. I suspect the heavy weight on her shoulders was in anticipation of her increased gas bill, the frequent trips to Les Schwab for tires, the District Court letters advising of speeding tickets past due, the distinct order of stale beer, or the layers of mud that would quickly cover her SUV after the young cowboy takes his buddies "mudding".
Shortly, the DMV door opened and out poured the young cowboy with a fistful of paperwork and a set of car keys. The DMV license tester eventually came out and sauntered around the SUV. I couldn't tell if he was inspecting it for damage, messing with the young cowboy's patience by taking an incredible amount of time examining the rubber tread on each tire, or simply looking for an excuse not to ride with the over caffeinated young cowboy.
Either way, the vehicle was determined to be in adequate working order and both of them crawled in and prepared for takeoff.
My perspective on this unfolding observation was a very interesting reflection on the different stages of the Christian life. The 3 of them fairly accurately portrays a rookie believer, a mid-life Christian and an older mature Saint that is faithfully serving Jesus Christ.
When people first trust Jesus Christ as Savior they are so excited they can't wait to tell their family, their coworkers, their friends, and anyone else they encounter at the WalMart. Their enthusiasm knows no bounds. In fact, they find themselves curiously annoying to the old salty dog Christians that have weathered decades of storms.
Then there is the mid-season of the Christian life where you have tasted just enough of life's battles and disappointments that your perspective is jaded. You search your heart for that enthusiasm and find that it missing in action. You are still in the game but your passion is less than contagious and you have that 1000 yard stare that is common in battle weary soldiers.
Finally, there is the mature stage. You are mentoring others in the Christian faith and find yourself spoon feeding God's Word to the rookies. You are coming along side the mid-season Christians, encouraging them to not loose faith because God will bless their faithfulness if they stay in the battle (Galatians 6:9). God has put you in both their lives as both an example and a resource to equip them, protect them, guide them, and nurture them.
"You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others" 2 Timothy 2:2
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Out of Toner
Saturday night means one thing at my house -- print and fold the church bulletins and prepare the Bible study handouts for Sunday's services. Truth is, I have it down to a science and very little goes wrong, until tonight. I ran out of Toner.
Of course I removed the empty toner cartridge and shook the devil out of it. I read somewhere that if you shake it enough, there may be a few more copies to wring out of it before it totally fails. But nope, that didn't work. Shocker huh.
Phase two of my breakdown maintenance plan is to search the office for a new replacement toner cartridge. This would prove more effective had I actually purchased a spare and kept it on hand. But saw an opportunity to grow my faith. But nope, no $80 dollar toner cartridges stashed in the office. Shocker huh.
Phase three of my panic mode is to ask my dear wifey for help. She of course knows how everything works and can make sunshine our of sorrow. So she came to my rescue and began a "McGyver" type adventure. Thanks babe.
My role in the McGyver plan is to stay out of the way and don't touch anything. Early in our marriage I believed she appreciated my "witty banter" at moments like this, but the passing of years has shed additional light on my contributions.
1 Kings 17:7-15 is the amazing story of Elijah the prophet staying at the home of a very poor widow and her son during a terrible drought. When Elijah arrived at the house, the poor widow stated, "I don't have any bread -- only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug." (verse 12).
At Elijah's request, the poor widow prepared Elijah a meal first, even before she fed her son, and God rewarded the widow by "The jar of flour was not used up and jug of oil did not run dry" (verse 16) during the whole famine.
The point is this, "Where God guides, He provides".
God knew my wife had her old color printer stashed in her office. Michele prefers not to use it because the color toner cartridges are expensive and don't last very long. However, God had a plan. And I needed to be moved out of my comfort zone.
How often does God shake things up in your world just to get your attention and nudge you out of your comfort zone?
When God moves you out of your comfort zone, prepare to see God work. Hold off on the temper tantrum and the "woe as me" speech, because God is about to do something special and I would hate to see you miss it.
Of course I removed the empty toner cartridge and shook the devil out of it. I read somewhere that if you shake it enough, there may be a few more copies to wring out of it before it totally fails. But nope, that didn't work. Shocker huh.
Phase two of my breakdown maintenance plan is to search the office for a new replacement toner cartridge. This would prove more effective had I actually purchased a spare and kept it on hand. But saw an opportunity to grow my faith. But nope, no $80 dollar toner cartridges stashed in the office. Shocker huh.
Phase three of my panic mode is to ask my dear wifey for help. She of course knows how everything works and can make sunshine our of sorrow. So she came to my rescue and began a "McGyver" type adventure. Thanks babe.
My role in the McGyver plan is to stay out of the way and don't touch anything. Early in our marriage I believed she appreciated my "witty banter" at moments like this, but the passing of years has shed additional light on my contributions.
1 Kings 17:7-15 is the amazing story of Elijah the prophet staying at the home of a very poor widow and her son during a terrible drought. When Elijah arrived at the house, the poor widow stated, "I don't have any bread -- only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug." (verse 12).
At Elijah's request, the poor widow prepared Elijah a meal first, even before she fed her son, and God rewarded the widow by "The jar of flour was not used up and jug of oil did not run dry" (verse 16) during the whole famine.
The point is this, "Where God guides, He provides".
God knew my wife had her old color printer stashed in her office. Michele prefers not to use it because the color toner cartridges are expensive and don't last very long. However, God had a plan. And I needed to be moved out of my comfort zone.
How often does God shake things up in your world just to get your attention and nudge you out of your comfort zone?
When God moves you out of your comfort zone, prepare to see God work. Hold off on the temper tantrum and the "woe as me" speech, because God is about to do something special and I would hate to see you miss it.
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