God's Waiting Room

 But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me.

– Micah 7:7

The Information Age has launched countless time-saving innovations that have simplified our lives and made the most of our busy schedules. For example, we can book our flight and hotel reservations on a website rather than waiting on the phone for a customer service representative. And instead of standing in line at the bank to deposit a paycheck, a tap or two of our smartphone accomplishes the task in mere seconds. That said, waiting is still an inescapable reality for most of us. Obtaining a driver’s license can mean a morning (or more) at the DMV — and who knows how long your car will be in the shop for repairs. On average, we’ll spend five years of our life in lines!

Few people like to wait, and multi-tasking to make the most of down-time has become a valued life-skill. But waiting isn't always a waste. In fact, it’s an essential part of God's plan for our lives: a process that enables us to become. This concept might be difficult to grasp because the human viewpoint of time differs greatly from that of our Creator. Thankfully, the apostle Peter helps to put it into perspective.

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends," he wrote. "To the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day."

As Christ-followers, we must understand that what happens while we're waiting is often more important than what we're waiting for. Ask anyone who has spent grueling hours at the hospital contemplating the health and future of a loved one. Did their soul-searching experience bring a closer dependence on God? It should have. After all, it's when we're so humbled and powerless that we realize we can do nothing on our own.

So maybe our never-stop, 24/7 world actually revolves around waiting. Let's therefore make the most of our time in God's Waiting Room — a place where we can look for ways and opportunities to say yes to him with a sense of expectancy and hope.

"Be still, and know that I am God," we read in Psalm 46:10. "I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Priority One

Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.

– 2 Corinthians 1:12

There’s plenty of talk these days about conservation and renewable resources. It’s all about doing more with less and getting back to basics. As a nation, we have to set priorities. But what about our personal priorities for a valuable resource that we can never renew: our time?

Everyone has only a set number of days to live on this Earth. And what we do with them depends on our priorities. Some might live to travel the globe and find adventure. Some might live for pleasure, family or friends. And still others might seek meaning by throwing themselves into their careers. With so many choices and outlooks, how can we best set our priorities?

With the recent Winter Olympics still fresh in our memories, let’s consider Eric Liddell’s story for some guidance. Liddell was a Christ-follower who believed that everything in his life should be done to please God. Born in China, he looked forward to one day fulfilling his calling as a missionary. But before that, he would compete in the 1924 Paris Olympics as a runner.

All seemed well until Liddell learned that his big race was scheduled for a Sunday. And that was a big problem. He felt in his heart that competing on Sundays was wrong — that it would dishonor the God he always sought to please. So he stepped aside, seemingly disqualifying himself from a chance at fame by representing his country in the Olympic Games. 

Eric Liddell’s clear priority was to put God first, regardless of the cost. And needless to say, it was a priority that few shared. It’s reported that even the Prince of Wales urged the young athlete to run in the Sunday track meet. But Liddell refused to compromise his principles.

And then the unexpected happened. Liddell was given an opportunity to race on another day. The catch was that he had never trained for that particular event. Fans of the 1981 movie classic Chariots of Fire surely know what happened next: Liddell won the contest and claimed the cherished gold medal.

So, what are your priorities in life? What’s really important? 

As Christ-followers, we first need to seek God’s guidance if He hasn’t already answered those questions. It’s then that we take that next crucial step: the decision to honor God. We also need to develop a plan of action. What are we willing to change to meet the goal? What’s negotiable? And finally, it’s time to deliver by running the race and seeing it through past the finish line.

Eric Liddell’s real-life adventure is full of life lessons. But if there’s just one to adopt as our own, it’s that God will honor us when we decide to honor God.

Are you ready to go back to basics in your walk of faith? Then let the race begin.

Give It a Rest

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

– Exodus 20:8

You’ve likely seen them in bookstores, online and in college dorm rooms. And you might even have a few at home. They’re those yellow For Dummies books that help you do everything from gardening to database management to gourmet cooking. There’s even one on Christianity.

The For Dummies books and their companion website are popular because so many folks these days don’t have the time or patience to learn and appreciate why things are the way they are. Instead, they want to know (quickly) how it's done without all the annoying details.

That’s not always a bad thing — particularly when there's a last-minute project at the office and you don’t have a clue where to start. So let’s give them their due. The For Dummies books and their imitators can often save readers hours of time and at least a few sleepless nights.

But there’s a downside when we overemphasize shortcuts and quick fixes. In 21st century America, our hectic lives can consist of random snapshots and scattered sound bytes rather than full-length, Technicolor documentaries. We literally don’t stop to smell the roses, which happen to be some of God’s most beautiful creations. And the result is that we miss out on life.

Wouldn’t it be nice to interrupt our never-ending schedules to recharge our batteries and forget about the everyday grind? The Bible tells us that God agrees. And that’s why he created the Sabbath. It’s one special day each week (not necessarily Sunday) when we can worship, relax with family and friends, do good for others, and enjoy life.

That’s one valid way to look at the Sabbath. But it has a much deeper meaning. This special day also reflects a special person (Jesus Christ), who exemplified everything the Sabbath should be. Although he had only three years to save the world, Jesus still took time out to pray, help others — and even attend a party or two. Never in a hurry, he even called himself the Lord of the Sabbath. And he still had time to complete his must-do to-do list.

Ever wonder how you’ll ever get it all done? Learn from Jesus’ example and just give it a rest.

 

Rest for the Weary

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

-- Matthew 11:29

Climbing the career ladder, beating tight deadlines, and closing the deal are marks of success in Western society. Millions of us even skip or cut short our well-earned vacations each year because we’re either afraid to fall behind at work or we can’t find time on our busy calendars. In fact, recent findings from the U.S. Travel Association reveal that American workers left an average of 33%, or nearly six days, of paid time on the table. 

Jesus had the world’s most important job — saving humanity from its sins — and his routine was often nonstop. In just three years he cured disease, raised the dead and even calmed a raging storm. So with such a tight schedule, it seems like Jesus would have little or no time to take a break or even socialize. But it turns out that he did make a special effort to enjoy quality time away, and often with those who mattered the most to him. And it’s safe to say that he still managed to accomplish his mission. Recorded in Mark’s gospel, Christ’s admonition to his busy disciples paints the picture:

“Now come along to some quiet place by yourselves, and rest for a little while,” said Jesus, for there were people coming and going incessantly so that they had not even time for meals.

Likewise, Luke’s gospel records an occasion when Christ visited the home of his friends Martha and Mary. While Martha busily prepared the food and straightened the house for a gathering, her sister Mary decided to take time out and listen to Jesus’ message. Martha was very upset with Mary’s attitude and complained to Jesus about the apparent injustice. But instead of scolding Mary, Jesus commended her for choosing the most important thing: quality time with him. Jesus understood the importance of off-time, and he was even known (and criticized) for attending a party or two! 

Wouldn’t it be nice to interrupt our never-ending schedules to recharge our batteries and forget the everyday grind? The Bible teaches that well-earned rest is part of God’s design for us to do good work. So with that in mind, let’s learn from Jesus’ example of rest for the weary. 

Little Christs

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship.

– Romans 12:1

Early followers of Jesus were called Little Christs because their newfound faith had transformed their lives for all to see. This odd group of people from all walks of life — rich and poor, male and female, slave and free — were markedly different from the rest of society. They somehow had grown more caring and generous toward both neighbors and strangers alike, and they willingly sacrificed their time and resources to ease sorrow and correct injustice. Ultimately, they had abandoned their old, selfish tendencies in favor of something much greater. 

In a word, they were changed.

And that says a lot for their leader — an obscure rabbi from a distant corner of the Roman Empire, who just happened to be God’s own Son. Few recognized that at the time. But because some did and led changed lives while following Jesus, millions in future generations would in turn help to change the world for the better. 

Modern-day Christ-followers must too set aside their selfish deeds and desires in favor of following Jesus’ example of righteousness. Like those first disciples transformed by the words of the Sermon on the Mount, we should recognize that Jesus the Leader was also Jesus the Follower. Christ spoke constantly with his Father (God) in prayer and always sought his guidance. 

“I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing,” explained Jesus, “because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”

It’s a radical approach that’s just as life-changing today as it was 20 centuries ago. And it’s also an approach that calls for personal action, commitment and sacrifice. So whether you’ve followed Jesus for five years or 55, grasp every opportunity to become more like him, walk in his ways and see the world through his eyes. And ask God to work through you with the Holy Spirit — that personal, loving Power who makes it possible to leave your old self behind and become a new creation. 

It’s change that makes a difference. And eventually, through the trials of life and the whispers of his leadings, we’ll become the people of righteousness and faith that our Creator always dreamed we could be. 

Doing a New Thing

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

– Isaiah 43:19

What is it that every Bible-believing church in the world will celebrate this weekend — and every weekend to come?

It’s the radical notion that God loves his creation so much that he sent his only Son to personally pay for the mess we’ve all made of our lives and a once unspoiled creation. With this immense price now cleared from our individual accounts, every believer — through faith in Jesus Christ — is free to serve as his hands and feet throughout the community and even the world.

Of course, Christ-followers are in a predicament these days. Relativism rules America, and that which is obviously right or wrong is no longer considered so black and white. Popular culture brands those who believe in Jesus and his teachings as old-fashioned and intolerant. And those who dare to point out our nation’s retreat from God are labeled as bigots, hate-mongers or similar insults. 

The world really is upside down. For example, it’s actually a career move for many celebrities, musicians and sports stars when they break the law and go to jail. But if a Christ-follower — real or in name only — slips up and does something wrong, the word hypocrite quickly follows through the media.

Of course, Christ-followers should be happy to plead guilty to holding some narrow and politically incorrect beliefs. One is that Jesus is the one and only way to God. Ultimately, the world’s false philosophies and religions fall far short of our Creator’s standards. And that’s Good News that the world curses and can’t tolerate. 

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,” responds God, “who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”

Although there’s bad news all around us, it’s particularly reassuring to know that God continues to do a new thing in our community through his followers. Jesus encourages Believers like you and me to continue being beacons of light to a distorted world in need of guidance, truth and character. People are watching to see if our words match our deeds. May it be that we celebrate the Good News of Christ through changed lives marked with love in action! 

The Good Shepherd

Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression, bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.

– Isaiah 1:17

If you’re one of the millions of Americans these days who are considering a career change, how about becoming a shepherd? 

Although the number of job openings for shepherds has dropped over the years, it appears that good help is hard to find in that field. In fact, it’s not uncommon for ranchers, farmers and landowners to import experienced shepherds from other nations where sheep-and-goat management is still a thriving enterprise. If you still think that you’re up to the task, understand that shepherds are responsible for protecting their flock against vicious predators including coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, bears and even domestic dogs. They must also monitor their sheep for illness. What’s more, an experienced shepherd is expected to shear up to 125 ewes a day without nicking or cutting the animal’s skin.

Above all, a shepherd’s primary responsibility is the safety and welfare of their flock. And since so many different things can happen to the animals under their watch, they need to expect the unexpected, be courageous ... and do the right thing. 

Doing the right thing isn't just the right thing to do, it's also a biblical principle for Christ-followers. As we read in James 4:17, "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."

Doing the right thing often calls for bravery. While we may never face a powerful army on the battlefield, we might have to take on figurative opponents like injustice, crime or discrimination. We have no hope of defeating them on our own. However, we should be encouraged that God specializes in empowering average Joes and Janes to do the extraordinary against overwhelming odds.

For example, the Old Testament tells us that David — at the time an obscure shepherd boy and musician — protected his nation by killing the Philistine giant Goliath with a stone from his slingshot. It was this same David who eventually became the mighty King of Israel, and the one God called a man after My own heart. Likewise, a fisherman named Peter once dove into the deep end when he accepted Jesus' call to walk on water. After he began to doubt his own abilities, Peter began to sink. But Christ saved him once the struggling follower called out in faith. This same hesitant follower — who would eventually deny Jesus to others three times — ultimately became a bold preacher of what the New Testament’s Acts of the Apostles described as The Way (the Good News about his Savior, Jesus Christ). Two books of the Bible also bear Peter's name.

As Christ-followers, we can take heart. The world is a scary place, but God doesn't expect us to solve all of its problems. Instead, it's by seeking and embracing his power in faith that we can make a world of difference. And it all starts when we seek and do the right thing.