Short-Term Gain vs. Long-Term Pain

My decision to exercise regularly began nearly 30 years ago. I’d gone on a two-week trip to Europe and discovered walking’s a primary mode of transportation there. Here in the U.S., we drive practically everywhere, but many European cities and towns are compact and pedestrian-friendly, making walking both efficient and economical. Upon returning home I began power-walking several days a week. 

After open-heart surgery in 2006, I started a cardiac rehab program that I continued for more than a decade. Later I shifted to the YMCA, where I try to work out at least three times a week. I’ve adopted a personal motto: ‘I hate to exercise, but love to have exercised.’ I can always think of things I’d rather be doing than walking on a treadmill, pedaling on an exercise bike or lifting weights. But when finished, I’m glad I did it and believe I’ve done some good.

 

I’m no exercise freak by a long shot, but have learned the truth of the adage, “no pain, no gain.” Athletes know this well, as do virtuoso musicians and folks desiring to grow and excel in various pursuits. There’s even a corollary to this motto: short-term pain, long-term gain. To attain a desired outcome or goal, it’s necessary to put in the hard work to get there.

 

Sadly, many people have taken the opposite approach and suffered its consequences: indulging in short-term gain but then having to endure long-term pain. Early in my walk with Jesus Christ, a friend made a comment that stuck with me: “If sin wasn’t fun, we wouldn’t want to do it.” If you don’t like liver or Brussels sprouts, you don’t have to resist a temptation to eat them. But when a temptation seems enticing, too often we don’t stop to consider what might follow.

 

This short-term gain/long-term pain dilemma takes many forms. Years ago, I had a young friend who loved speed. He proudly boasted of riding his “bullet bike” more than 100 miles an hour down the interstate on numerous occasions. He was never involved in an accident at that speed, but lots of other folks haven’t been as fortunate.

 

For other people, “one-night stands” or illicit affairs have brought about ruination in many ways: Emotional turmoil, unplanned pregnancies, severed marital bonds, children growing up without intact two-parent homes. What might have felt like fun spawned devastating residual effects.

 

Addictions are the regretful outcome of many choices made only with short-term gain in mind, disregarding the potential for long-term pain: Alcohol and chemical abuse, workaholism, pornography, gambling, food addictions, and many other vices. No one has said, “I’m drinking now so I can become an alcoholic.” Or, “Gambling to put myself hopelessly in debt seems like a cool thing to do.”

 

Typically, it’s more like, “Just this once. What’s the harm?” Or, “I don’t have a problem. I can quit any time.” Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous and sister organizations have all been created to address the long-term problems of people who claimed they didn’t have any.

 

Thankfully these recovery services can help people deal with the many unintended consequences of wrong, unwise behaviors. But the best solution is to keep a long-term perspective, weighing the value of a little “gain” with the likelihood of a whole lot of pain.

 

In its candor, the Bible offers dozens of examples of people for whom short-term gain was their only consideration. Adam and Eve didn’t wait long to discover the consequences. They defied God’s prohibition to eat from just one tree in the Garden of Eden. As a result, they were banished from the garden, and every other human since has been suffering from the sinful inheritance they passed on.

 

Their son Cain, furious because God had accepted brother Abel’s sacrifice and not his own, decided to get even. After killing Abel, he was cursed by the Lord to live an unfulfilling, nomadic life, also banned from the idyllic life God had created. And murder is a horrific fact of life to this day.

 

Think of King David, who despite already having multiple wives, found the sight of Bathsheba bathing on a rooftop irresistible. Acting upon a “gotta have it, and gotta have it now” impulse, the king ordered her brought to his quarters. Bathsheba became pregnant, and David attempted to cover up his lustful sin by directing that her husband, Uriah, be put on the front lines of battle to die. 

Even though he was called “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14) and wrote many beautiful psalms, the king had to deal with one tragedy after another within his family and faced constant opposition to his reign from both within and outside his household.

 

There are many other sad examples, but what’s important is to recognize the short-term gain/long-term pain blinders we all sometimes wear. The adages, “look before you leap” and “think before you act,” should serve as guardrails for our decision-making.

 

The apostle James wisely observed, “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:13-15).

 

Temptations are unavoidable. They’re all around us, and what tempts one person might not tempt another. To avoid suffering long-term pain resulting from what seemed like short-term gain, we should heed the warning of 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 

 

This “way out” might be as simple as to keep going rather than stop and weigh the options. Rather than go into the bar, keep driving. Rather than enter the donut shop, keep walking. And rather than respond to the flirtatious look or touch, envision what the consequences will be. Pain then gain is good. Gain then pain? Not so good.

Riding the Up-Down, Side-to-Side Rollercoaster of Life

When I was younger, I loved riding rollercoasters. I rode the old, rickety, wooden coasters and then, as more technologically advanced, faster rollercoasters came along, I was eager to jump onto them and enjoy their ups and downs, twists and turns.

 

For some folks, rollercoasters aren’t their cup of tea. (It’s hard to drink a cup of tea on a coaster.) They start slowly, initiating a steep climb, click-click-clicking on the track beneath your feet. Then after a brief pause at the top, just long enough for you to scan the scenery below, they send you on a speedy plunge, thrusting this way and that, sometimes upside-down and even, it seems, inside-out. 

 

Fun, fun! Until you get older, and your bones and teeth start rattling more than feels comfortable. Remember the old cereal commercial, “Trix are for kids”? With the passage of time, you realize that rollercoasters are, too.

 

When you think about it, life’s a lot like a rollercoaster. Sometimes the ride is smooth, calm, hardly any jostling. Then there are the slow, steady climbs, perhaps while advancing one’s educational path, getting married, having children, or going up the corporate or career ladder. We arrive at a peak and have a chance to peer across the horizon. What a beautiful view! 

 

Then, with little or no warning, there’s a dip. A big one. As the speed intensifies, your grip on the bar in front of you gets tighter. You hang on because you have no other choice. Maybe a household emergency has put a strain on your checkbook – or unwise financial decisions in the past are catching up with you. Or your “dream job” has turned into a nightmare, making just getting out of bed in the morning feel like a major accomplishment. Or you or someone in your family has a totally unexpected health crisis and the descent seems more than you can bear.

 

Charles H. Spurgeon, the celebrated British preacher of the 19^th century, understood this well. In one of his devotionals he wrote, “Yesterday I could climb the mountain and view the landscape and rejoice with confidence in my future inheritance; today my spirit has no hopes, but many fears; no joys, but great distress. Is this part of God’s plan for me?... The eclipse of your faith, the darkness of your mind, the fainting of your hope – all these things are just parts of God’s method of making you ready for the great inheritance, which you will soon enjoy…. Do not think, believer, that your sorrows are out of God’s plan; they are necessary parts of it.”

 

We dare not miss Spurgeon’s key point. When times of hardship and adversity come – and they will – we can trust God’s not caught by surprise. He’s not looking down, wringing His hands and thinking, “Oh no! What do we do now?” These circumstances are part of His plan for each of us. They’re one way the Lord uses to mold and shape us into the people He desires for us to be and to become.

 

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God told the Israelites – and everyone who has been embraced into His eternal family – “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

 

Unfortunately, when things are going well – all the bills are paid and there’s still money in the bank, our jobs are going well, everyone’s healthy and the car’s purring – we’re uninclined to call out to God, to cry out to Him as our Provider and Sustainer. We might offer cursory prayers but our attitude is, “Lord, I’ve got this. I’ll let you know if I need something.”

 

More than inconsiderate, this is almost blasphemous, as if we can be our own gods – until something happens making it clear we’re not. Anyone can handle the ups of life and times when everything’s moving along smoothly on a plateau. But when the rollercoaster suddenly takes a dive, we realize how desperately we need God’s grace, power and intervention.

 

The apostles, from their own experiences, understood this. To believers in Rome the apostle Paul gave this admonition: “…we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:2-4). God’s more concerned with our character than our comfort.

 

James the apostle exhorted his readers, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

 

One day Jesus Christ led three disciples, Peter, James and John, up a high mountain where they were treated to a true mountaintop experience. Jesus was transfigured. “His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus” (Matthew 17:2-3, Mark 9:3).

 

Their “rollercoaster ride” with Jesus had taken them to a thrilling peak they couldn’t have imagined. Their first reaction was to savor this moment indefinitely, in effect to camp out there. Peter, not yet fully understanding what was happening, impulsively offered to build three shelters, one each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah.

 

But then a voice from a cloud got their attention: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!” (Mark 9:7). Soon they were heading back down the mountain, descending into harsh and sobering reality of the valley below. Before long the exhilaration of Christ’s transfiguration would fade into the dark moments of His persecution, trial, scourging and crucifixion.

 

The gospels show the disciples riding a spiritual rollercoaster unlike anything the Lord had taken His people through before. As His followers in the 21^st century, we’re also called to such a ride, sometimes coasting along without a care in the world but other times careening downward at a terrifying rate, clinging to our faith in Jesus because there’s nothing else.

 

At such times we have God’s assurance, “I know the plans I have for you.” As Spurgeon said, they’re part of the Lord’s mechanism to prepare us for eternity with Him. So sit back and enjoy the ride!

Memorial Day – Time for Remembering Ultimate Sacrifices

A protest song in the late ‘60s called “War” asked and then answered: “War – what is it good for? Absolutely nothing.” As idealistic as that sentiment sounds, war seems inevitable. It’s been a tragic fact of the human condition throughout history. Sometimes wars have been waged for conquest; sometimes in defense of a city, region or nation; and sometimes to advance deeply cherished values and principles.

 

We all – at least most of us – wish wars would cease forever. But we also wish money grew on trees. Despite its tragic toll in terms of both lives lost and disabling injuries, history informs us that wars sometimes accomplish good.

 

The United States can cite three prime examples. In the American Revolutionary War, 25,000 lives were lost. But it resulted in the colonies gaining independence from England. The American Civil War tragically cost the lives of more than 620,000 people, but slavery in the U.S. was abolished. And World War II, in which more than U.S. 405,000 service members died, stopped Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, responsible for the extermination of six million Jews.

 

Through the centuries debates have raged over the causes and possible remedies for war, but even the Bible’s Old Testament tells of times when God commanded the Israelites to go to war against hostile, pagan peoples and nations.

 

We’re about to observe another Memorial Day, an occasion not for arguing over what constitutes a “just war” or whether war is ever justified. It’s a time for honoring and remembering the many who died in the wars listed above, along with World War I, the Vietnam and Korean wars, combat in the Middle East, and other conflicts. A significant portion of American history has been written in blood.

 

Pondering His imminent crucifixion, Jesus told His disciples, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Christ was referring primarily to the great love He had for His followers, not only at that time but also through the centuries since. These words, however, can be used to describe to anyone who sacrifices his or her life on behalf of others.

 

It’s often called “the ultimate sacrifice” for a reason. Concerning Jesus, the old hymn says, “He gave His life, what more could He give? Oh, how He loves you. Oh, how He loves me. Oh, how He loves you and me.” Thinking about those who lost their lives in the American Revolution, Civil War and the world wars, we might wonder how many of them would have used the word ‘love’ as they anticipated the dangers of combat. But most entered those wars trusting they were taking part in a noble cause and believed their own lives were worth the risk.

 

My father served on several major battles during World War II. He survived them but carried the scars – physical and emotional – from the battlefield for the rest of his life. Perhaps you’re among the countless people today who did lose loved ones and friends during one of the 20^th and 21^st century wars, making Memorial Day an especially poignant remembrance.

 

Regardless of one’s feelings toward war, it’s good that we have an annual Memorial Day observance. Many of the freedoms and opportunities we’ve enjoyed were made possible through the heroic sacrifices of so many. They deserve our heartfelt appreciation.

 

From a spiritual standpoint, for followers of Jesus every day should serve as a day of memorial. He asked us to do so. Speaking to His disciples in what we know as “the last supper” during the celebration of Passover, He first took a cup of wine and then the unleavened bread: “And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me’” (Luke 22:19).

 

In the first of his three brief letters in the Bible, the apostle John pointed to this incredible expression of love: “By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers…. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 3:16, 4:10).

 

On Memorial Day we will remember the many who died so that we could experience and enjoy freedom from tyranny. In remembering Jesus’ sacrifice we honor the One of whom we can boldly declare, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery [to sin]” (Galatians 5:1). 

When It Comes to Faith, Kids Have the Right Idea

You have to admire the simplistic, yet profound faith of children. For instance, mommy and daddy are having a night out so they hire a babysitter. As they’re leaving, they tell toddler Jackie, “We’ll be back in a little while.” The young one might curl a lip or pout a bit, but she takes them at their word, confident they indeed will return before long.

 

Or mom has to do something in the back yard and says, “I’ll be right back.” Little Timmy barely looks up from the toys he’s playing with, knowing she in fact will be right back – as she always is. That’s usually the case, except sadly when it’s not. Then childlike faith is put to the test.

 

I remember being about 9 or 10 when my mother left my sister and me at home while she went to buy some groceries. She wouldn’t be long, she told us, so we didn’t give it a second thought. However, it began snowing and as the minutes ticked away, I started feeling anxious. Late afternoon was fading into evening. When would she be back? What if something had happened to her, maybe sliding on the slick roads? What relief I felt when I saw the headlights of our car and Mom pulled into the driveway.

 

In the gospels Jesus commended childlike faith. In an account recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke – so it must have been significant – people were bringing their babies and little children to Him for Him to bless. Jesus’ impulsive disciples, thinking there must be more important matters to address, told the people not to bother the Lord with them. He was bothered, but with the disciples, not the kids:

“When Jesus saw this, He became indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it’…” (Mark 10:13-16). 

 

Jesus was making a couple of important statements here. First, in those days children were regarded as second-class citizens until they were old enough to begin shouldering some of the family’s workload. But even more significant was His declaration that “anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Ponder this for a moment.

 

To act in faith, whether to dive into a parent’s arms at the pool or wait for them to return home, a child doesn’t need to fully understand every detail. Having implicit trust in mom or dad, the youngster does as he or she is told, based on the parent’s assurance.

 

We have a situation like that today concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. Nearly 2,000 years ago He assured His disciples that He would return. He just didn’t say when. Since then, followers of Jesus have eagerly anticipated His second coming. ‘It could be any day now,’ we think. And one day it will. It just hasn’t happened yet. But that doesn’t negate the promise that Christ is coming back.

 

Just days before His arrest, trial and crucifixion, He comforted His befuddled disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:1-3).

 

As we look at what’s going on in the world today – wrong has become right, down is now up, left is right – many of us are thinking, “It’s got to be soon. The world seems spiraling out of control. Surely the Lord’s going to say, ‘Time out!’ and return to set things right.” But folks surely have believed that for centuries. When tempted to get impatient, even frustrated, it’s time to exercise the faith of a child.

 

Jesus understood we’d all like the specifics about His second coming. Rather than offering a definitive answer, He said, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father…. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come…. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him” (Matthew 24:42-44).

 

Through the centuries religious “experts” have attempted to calculate exactly when Christ would return, only to wind up with the proverbial egg on their faces. Trying to figure the day and the hour, the how’s and what’s and when’s, is an exercise in futility and foolishness.

 

What matters, as Jesus said, is to be ready for whenever He does return. Will we be actively engaged in those pursuits God has called us to so we can say we’ve finished well? His second coming could be tomorrow, next week, next year, 20 or 50 years from now. Or longer. 

With childlike faith we should be looking for Christ’s return, whenever that will be. We have His promise that He will. In the meantime, as He admonished, “It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing [what he was instructed to do] when he returns” (Matthew 24:46). 

Faith – Private Opinion or Public Confession?

“Two things we shouldn’t talk about – politics and religion.” We’ve heard this for years and it seems to hold true, at least for politics. At one time we could have calm, reasonable discourse about political differences, but it seems interactions have devolved into throwing out labels, angry accusations and epithets. But what about religion?

 

In a future post I plan to revisit the whole “separation of church and state” thing, but is it true that for matters of faith we’re to keep our lips zipped shut and not share what we believe with others? As someone I heard recently ask, should our faith be confined to private opinion or a matter of public confession?

 

On one hand, I’d agree that we shouldn’t impose our spiritual convictions on others. In our free society we’re entitled to believe what we believe without getting into heated arguments about it. However, for followers of Jesus Christ, failure to share the “good news” in appropriate ways isn’t an option. If Jesus is the only way to God, as He declared in John 14:6, people need to know that.

 

The key word here, as I understand it, is ‘appropriate.’ I don’t think the “heaven or hell – turn or burn” approach to evangelism is an effective strategy for today. Some may disagree but healthy dialogue at a suitable time and place seems to be a better choice, as the Bible affirms.

 

We could cite many examples, because ultimately the Scriptures – both Old and New Testaments – seek to point people to a genuine, growing relationship with God. In one of his letters to believers in many regions, the apostle Peter admonished,

“But in your hearts set apart Christ Jesus as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Peter 3:15-16).

 

There’s a lot to unpack in those two verses, but several key points stand out. We’re to “always be prepared” to share with others what we believe. It could be on an airplane, in a coffee shop, at work during a break or at lunch, or even in church with a spiritual seeker who has questions about God. 

 

However, not everywhere is a fitting place and time for talking about Christ. Years ago I was crossing a street, returning to work from lunch, when in the middle of the crosswalk a guy asked me, “Brother, are you saved?” Standing in a busy street definitely isn’t an appropriate place for a faith conversation. But I suspect that fellow went on his way, convinced he had ‘witnessed’ to someone.

 

We’re also to “give an answer to everyone asks” why we believe as we do. That suggests that something we’ve said or done has raised some questions among people who aren’t yet followers of Jesus. Another translation expresses it, “give a defense.” This also would presume another person has taken the initiative, perhaps taking the offensive stance of challenging our biblical convictions.

 

Many people – including former atheists like C.S. Lewis and journalist Lee Strobel – came to saving faith in Christ through reasoned study and discussion, but people aren’t likely to be argued into the kingdom of God by the use of harsh words and disrespectful discourse. This is why the passage says we’re to speak “with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience.”

 

Looking at the example of Jesus during His public ministry, the only people He became angry with were the religious leaders, men whose knowledge of the Scriptures at that time should have made them more receptive to what the Lord had to say. For everyone else He communicated compassion, sensitivity, and a willingness to meet people where they were – not where He thought they should be.

 

Another passage that addresses the manner in which we should publicly confess our faith is Colossians 4:5-6. Writing to believers in ancient Colossae, the apostle Paul said we’re to, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

 

Again, there’s a lot of ‘meat’ in this brief passage, but it conveys a few foundational principles about how to express what we believe in private through public interactions. We’re to use wisdom, which God promises to provide if we ask Him (James 1:5). Rather than trying to manipulate a conversation into a spiritual exchange – as admittedly I’ve been guilty of at times – we’re to seek insight into whether a person is ready to hear or even interested in what we believe about Christ.

 

This is where “making the most of every opportunity” comes in. Sometimes simply saying, “I’m praying for you” or asking, “How can I pray for you?” is enough to plant a seed for a later conversation. Or we might share a small portion of our testimony, telling how God worked in a specific circumstance and how that affected our faith in Him.

 

“Seasoned with salt” can be understood in several ways. Like adding salt to a meal to make it more flavorful, spiritual ‘salt’ can make a conversation more palatable. Salt also can melt ice, so in talking with someone about Jesus, we might see God use it to thaw cold hearts toward Him. Salt also serves as a preservative, so it can help in leaving a lasting impression on someone God wants us to speak to.

 

Finally, we need to seek discernment from the Lord on how to answer people who ask questions. A brief reply might be all they’re looking for – we don’t want to dump the whole truckload for someone just wanting a small sample. Other times a deeper conversation might be what’s desired. 

We’re to be “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20), and as such we should strive to be sensitive, winsome, and not overbearing. If God’s working in someone’s life, He’ll accomplish what He intends to do. He doesn’t need us to force the issue. 

Can’t Save the Past or Grasp the Future – Now’s All We Have

Alistair Begg is one of my favorite radio preachers. His winsome Scottish brogue remains with him despite many years of living in the U.S.A. But what appeals to me most is his ability to convey biblical truth in common, everyday ways that make you want to respond, ‘Oh yeah. I get it!’

 

On a recent program he posed an intriguing scenario. Every morning you have $86,400 deposited in your bank account. You can use the money in any way you wish. But at the end of the day, whatever remains is wiped out. Until the next morning, when another $86,400 is deposited in your account with the same stipulation. Whatever’s left at day’s end is removed. Then the cycle resumes the next morning, for your entire lifetime. You can’t save any of it for the future. You have to use it each day when you receive it.

 

Our first reaction is probably something like, ‘Wow! I’ll take it.’ Or for some of us, ‘That’s more money than I earn in a full year! Sign me up!’

 

Of course, pastor Begg was using that only as an illustration. He explained: Each day we’re entrusted with 86,400. But it’s not dollars, it’s seconds – the number we have in every 24-hour day. In a sense, we get a daily deposit of 86,400 seconds into our time account to use as we see fit. We can’t carry over any from yesterday and can’t borrow from the future or save any of it for later use.

 

A common response is, “Well, there’s always tomorrow.” And that’s not necessarily bad. Many times, if we can’t complete a project or a task, it can be carried over to another day. Sometimes – as I’ve learned about writing – it’s actually better to set something aside, let it “percolate” for a while, even a day or more, and return to it later.

 

Then there are people so driven that they’re perpetually burning both ends of the proverbial candle, oblivious to the reality that eventually they’ll reach the middle with no candle left. But I think what Begg was getting at wasn’t resolving to fill every waking moment with activity and energy expenditure. Rather, it’s about recognizing each new day is a gift from God and we’d be wise to spend – actually, invest – the seconds, minutes and hours at our disposal in worthwhile pursuits. Especially if they can contribute to the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

 

In Ephesians 5:15-16, the apostle Paul speaks about this directly: “Pay careful attending, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil.” Reading in The Amplified Bible, we find a helpful elaboration: “making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.”

 

This doesn’t mean time itself is inherently evil. But perhaps in this age more than ever, it’s so easy to get distracted or sidetracked from things we desire to do or know we should be doing. Not necessarily bad things, but not the best things. As the Latin adage states, “Tempus fugit” – time flies.

 

Careless use – even misuse, or abuse – of time can result in missing out on a number of things. These could include valued interactions with family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues at work; getting started on a project that’s been put off for too long; pausing to appreciate and explore some of God’s creation; reading an inspiring book; speaking a friendly, encouraging word to an absolute stranger; and spending much-needed moments with the Lord, reading the Scriptures and praying.

 

Rather than engaging in frenetic, non-stop activity, “redeeming the time” concerns the wise use of the minutes and hours at our disposal. This could even involve a timely nap, because we all function better when we’re rested. But it also includes keeping our spiritual antennae up, seeking to be sensitive to God’s “divine appointments.”

 

As Colossians 4:5-6 admonishes us to, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of every opportunity. Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” I’m as bad as anyone at keeping my head and eyes down, focused on whatever I’m doing, failing to recognize opportunities to be a blessing for others.

 

The Scriptures teach we’re to be “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20), making ourselves available to the Lord to be used as He directs, not only to nonbelievers who need to hear about Him but also to those who are already members of His eternal family. 

 

For instance, in Galatians 6:9-10 the apostle Paul offers this encouragement: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers.”

So, how are you doing in utilizing your 86,400 today? What are your plans for using the rest of it? Lord willing, you’ll receive another 86,400 tomorrow. But how you use your allotment this day could make a great difference in the opportunities you’ll have the next. We don’t want our epitaph to be, “There’s lots I woulda, shoulda, and coulda done.” 

Celebrating the Steps, Not Sweating the Falls

One of the joys and benefits of grandparenting is experiencing again what it’s like to raise little children. Without the time commitment, loss of sleep, or ever-increasing expenses. As many a grandpa or grandma has said, “We spoil ‘em, then we send ‘em home.”

 

Grandparenting also provides the opportunity to again witness major milestones – such as a little one learning to eat actual food (and tossing it on the floor), discovering babytalk, and taking the first steps of a lifetime of walking and running. 

 

After discovering that crawling isn’t meant for distances, the little one learns to pull up on a chair or momma’s knee. Then comes the magic moment: the first step. After a tentative, tiny stride, the first-time stroll comes to a sudden end when young Jimmy or Ginny falls back onto his or her bottom. One small step for toddler, one giant step toward the future.

 

How do the parents – and grandparents – react? With glee. Sure, the child didn’t walk across the living room or den, but it was a promising start. Everyone applauds. “Good job!” No one says, or even thinks, ‘What’s the matter with you? People aren’t going to carry you around forever, you know.’ We celebrate this little victory, those first steps, knowing many more will follow. 

 

Too soon this youngster will grow, walk out the door, step into the car, and eventually embark on a new life of his or her own. Time passes so quickly. So, we revel in the initial tiny steps and don’t worry about the inevitable falls that must follow. It’s all part of the process, the plan. Enjoy them while we can.

 

We find a similar scenario when participating in someone’s spiritual journey. Making a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and even getting baptized aren’t the destination. They’re just the first step, one of many in a lifelong walk with the Lord. In terms of spiritual maturity, there’s no shortcut, no accelerated growth plan.

 

There’s a temptation to put new believers on a pedestal – especially entertainers, well-known athletes, prominent business and professional people. But success in some vocation doesn’t make a person a seasoned theologian or expert on the Bible. Regardless of status, we all must go through an arduous adventure of growing, stumbling and maturing in our faith. 

 

I recall a well-known professional athlete who made a bold statement of faith years ago, declaring he had been “born again.” Less than a year later, however, news accounts said he was struggling with substance abuse. It wasn’t until years afterward that the athlete reaffirmed his commitment to Christ, engaged in spiritual growth programs, and later became leader of a fruitful ministry. His story isn’t uncommon.

 

When Jesus gave His followers their final instructions prior to His ascension to heaven, He said we’re to “make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20). He didn’t command them – or us – to focus on making converts. One must be a convert before becoming a true disciple, but Jesus’ clear and specific commission was to develop followers, learners, people who become spiritual reproducers.

 

Similar to the initial stages of a toddler’s walk, one’s walk with Christ is unsteady at best. Many of us know this from experience. Falls are inevitable, along with bumps and bruises. This is why parenting is important, both in physical and spiritual terms. Writing to believers in ancient Thessalonica, the apostle Paul declared: 

“…we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us…. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory” (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8,11-12).

 

The apostle Peter, again from experience, understood about what it was like to be a spiritual babe. In one of his letters he wrote, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:2-3).

 

Like human infants, spiritual babies need to grow up. Sometimes it requires parental discipline to move the process along. For instance, Paul chided believers in Corinth, “I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready” (1 Corinthians 3:2).     

 

The writer of the book of Hebrews also recognized the periodic need for a swift kick of correction to the readers’ spiritual pants: “…though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14).   

 

Walking with Christ can be like taking one step forward and two steps back at times, but the Lord is abundantly patient. He’s always been that way, as we discover many times in reading the Old Testament. We find an excellent reminder in the book of Nehemiah, concerning the headstrong Israelites:

“For many years You were patient with them. By Your Spirit You admonished them through Your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so You handed them over to the neighboring peoples. But in Your great mercy You did not put an end to them or abandon them, for You are a gracious and merciful God” (Nehemiah 9:30-31).

So, if you’re going through a rough patch spiritually right now, or someone you’re discipling is, take heart: “…for the Lord your God goes before you; He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:8, Hebrews 13:5). 

Labels: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

What would we do without labels? On clothes they tell us the size of the shirt, blouse, pants, dress or coat. They also tell us what material the clothing is made of, and whether to wash or dry clean it.

 

Labels on food products can tell us what each item is, what its ingredients are, how to prepare it for meals, its nutritional value and how many calories it contains. We have labels for many other things as well, ranging from cars and electronics to mattresses and bathmats. 

 

But we don’t stop there with labeling. We find labels for people equally useful. We label by vocation – doctor, lawyer, CPA, architect. They must be smart, and wealthy, right? There are tradespeople too, folks like carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers. Society doesn’t label them with as high esteem, but if you have a leaky roof, who’d you rather come right away – a lawyer or a roofer?

 

The thing about labels, we find them handy for evaluating and judging people. We label by gender, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs (or none), education, political preference, sports team allegiance, even the places where they shop and organizations they belong to. You see someone with tattoos or piercings? Why take the time and effort to get to know someone when you can label them?

 

Hey, if I’m pointing a finger that means three others are pointing back at me. I’ve been guilty of people-labeling more times than I’d like to admit. The problem is, if we do go to the bother of really getting to know someone, often we discover our labels are entirely wrong.

 

Imagine a can of food in your pantry that’s somehow lost its label. How can you know what’s in it? Most of the time the only way is to open it up and find out whether it’s a can of corn, green beans, or pie filling. 

 

Apply that principle to our often-faulty habit of labeling people we’re not acquainted with or barely know. We can judge solely by what we see on the outside – or we can try to engage with them so we can truly determine who they are and what they’re like.

 

We find an excellent example in the Bible’s Old Testament. King Saul of Israel had proved himself unworthy of leading God’s chosen people, so the Lord instructed the prophet Samuel to locate Saul’s successor. The Lord’s choice was one of the sons of a man named Jesse, so the prophet went to his home to give the sons a once-over.

 

We’re told in 1 Samuel 16 that Samuel started with the oldest, Eliab, and thought, “Surely the Lord’s exalted stands here before the Lord” (1 Samuel 16:6). But God told him, “Nope, not him.” The prophet checked out each of the seven sons Jesse had brought to him, but not one of them was God’s choice despite their passing the eye test. 

 

The reason was simple: “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Kind of like having to open an unlabeled can to find out what kind of food is inside, God was saying He doesn’t choose His servants based on how they look outwardly.

 

Finally, Jesse’s youngest son, David, a lowly shepherd boy – not a highly esteemed vocation back then – was brought to Samuel. Speaking through the prophet, God’s choice was clear: “Rise and anoint him; he is the one” (1 Samuel 16:12). David went on to have an oft-tumultuous 40-year reign over Israel, even writing many of the beloved Psalms in his spare time.

 

We find many other examples in the Scriptures that warn us against labeling – judging people based on their outward appearances. People who were lame, blind, mute, deaf, suffering from various diseases, despised Samaritans, women of ill repute, and many others. Foremost was Jesus Christ, whom the Jewish rulers and religious leaders dismissed as a troublemaker and deceiver. We know He was anything but that.

 

One time Jesus had been teaching in the temple. The leaders stirred up the crowd, getting many to shout in opposition. Undeterred, He responded, “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment” (John 7:24).

 

We’d be wise to take this to heart. We live in a time of labeling gone amok. Liberals shouting at conservatives, conservatives arguing with liberals, none of them making an effort to engage in calm, reasonable discourse. People from different generations speaking in derogatory terms toward each other. Even within the Church, members of different congregations and different denominations exchanging accusations. Most of the time, based on the labels assigned to them.

 

Just as we can’t look at a building and know what’s inside without actually going into it, the Scriptures warn we’re in danger of serious error by relying on labels to assess who people really are. Society tells us to save time by giving folks labels and then judging based on stereotypes. However, especially for those of us who claim to follow Christ, we don’t have that option.

 

As the apostle Paul asserts in 2 Corinthians 5:16, “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.” Through the power of Christ, we can avoid the trap of labeling and judging people solely on how they seem on the outside. Instead, we can choose to withhold judgment until we’ve made the effort to get to know them for who they truly are.

Seeing, Understanding the Truth Through the Right ‘Lenses’

Have you ever tried to explain something to another person, something that seemed so obvious to you but the only response you received was, “I don’t get it”? 

Maybe it’s a genre of music you’re fond of and can’t understand why other people don’t love it as you do. Or some exotic type of food that makes you salivate every time you think of it, while other people tell you, “No way I’m going to try eating that!” Or your political persuasion – you try to explain your point of view to someone on the opposite side of the spectrum and the best you get is a glazed look.

 

It can be hard to comprehend why folks don’t share our enthusiasm, but it shouldn’t be surprising. Imagine you receive a book as a gift. But it’s written in a foreign language, and you can’t read a word of it. The person who gave you the book thinks it’s a treasure, but for you it makes no sense at all. Unless you take the time to learn the language. Then one day it’s like your eyes are opened for the first time; you understand why the friend thought it was so special.

 

There’s a parallel to this in the realm of faith. Over the years I’ve gone through several evangelism training programs. Perhaps you have, too. During the sessions, the approaches and explanations presented make perfect sense. But when trying to use them in a spiritual discussion with a nonbeliever, they don’t always work as well. The biblical truths we’re so eager to share seem like jibberish to the other person. Why? 

 

We could suggest a variety of explanations, but one primary reason is that apart from the work of the Holy Spirit in them, it’s like trying to describe the color purple to someone who’s been blind since birth. The Bible says as much: “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

One-time atheist turned defender of the faith, C.S. Lewis, affirmed this in one of his best-known quotes: "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." Coming to faith in Christ truly is eye-opening.

Depending on what “expert” is talking, we’re told the United States is in a post-Christian or post-modern era. These have similar meanings – the Judeo-Christian foundation our society once had has eroded, and there’s considerable doubt it can be restored. But that doesn’t mean we should shy away from telling others about Jesus Christ, what He has done, and what He’s doing in our lives. 

 

Members of the non-believing world around us are more than eager to speak about their skepticism. Why should we be prohibited from expressing what we believe? An adage warns us never to argue about politics and religion, and often that’s good advice. We’re not going to win people to Christ through a heated argument. But as a wise preacher has observed, “Once you have seen the truth, you can’t unsee the truth.”

 

Last year I had cataract surgery. However, unlike most patients – including my wife – who have the procedure and no longer need eyeglasses for distance purposes, my procedure left me near-sighted. I still require eyeglasses for driving, watching a movie or attending a sporting event. 

 

People who are far-sighted have no problem seeing things at a distance clearly, but to read things up close they need corrective lenses or “readers.” Even though something is right in front of them, like a book or a food label. Far-sighted or near, being able to see properly is a matter of having the right lenses.

 

When God brings someone into our lives who doesn’t know Him and seems resistant to even a casual discussion about Him, our recourse isn’t to persuade harder or argue louder. The apostle Paul wrote about this in his second letter to the church in ancient Corinth:

“…by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God…. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of the darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:2-6).

 

Whenever anyone comes to know Christ as Savior and Lord, it’s a miraculous work of God. Including ourselves. Because as the passage says, the “god of this age” (Satan) had blinded our minds so we couldn’t see the truth. As was the case for zealous, Christian-persecuting Saul before he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and became Paul, a key leader of the early Church.

 

Think of it this way: Someone who is blind physically can’t start seeing simply by deciding, ‘I’m tired of being blind.’ In some way the blindness must be removed. Sadly, there are many who don’t even realize how desperately they need Christ. Only by God’s grace and mercy can they receive new spiritual “lenses” to see and receive the truth that seems so clear for those of us who believe.

 

May we pray diligently for the Lord to open their hearts, eyes and minds. And also pray along with Paul, “…that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make know the mystery of the gospel…. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should” (Ephesians 6:19-20).

Trying Desperately to Fix the Unfixable

Have you ever dropped a glass, a vase, or even your cellphone, and immediately realized it’s beyond repair? Or someone runs a stop sign and rams into your car. Some things, once broken, aren’t fixable. When things are beyond repair, the best we can do is buy a replacement. If it’s a priceless antique, we might utter a few chosen words, shed some tears, and then accept the fact that nothing can be done.

 

We can usually get over the loss of material things. But other things – like broken homes, broken hearts, broken relationships and broken dreams – are far more devastating and harder to recover from, if ever. Years ago, a popular song by the Bee Gees asked, 

“How can you mend a broken heart? 

How can you stop the rain from falling down? 

How can you stop the sun from shining?... 

Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again.”

 

We’ve all been there in one way or another. Even if it’s not the end of the world, at the time it seems that way. We live in a broken world, filled with imperfect, sinful people whose brokenness inevitably rubs off on folks around them.

 

God had created a perfect world, including the first humans – Adam and Eve – and entrusted the glorious garden of Eden to their care. But the idyllic world ended when the first couple fell for the persuasions of Satan and did the one thing God had told them not to do: eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Perfection was shattered. Sin invaded the world. We’ve been beset by brokenness ever since.

 

Which leads us to perhaps the biggest question facing humankind: With all our brokenness, how can we fix the unfixable? We’ve certainly tried in many ways: Psychology, counseling, philosophy, social and government programs. Bookstores filled with self-help books claiming to have the answers. Motivational speakers with catchy sayings and ‘secrets for success.’ Politicians passing laws upon laws.

 

Despite all this, even a casual glance around our world reveals the brokenness afflicting humanity, perhaps more prevalent than ever.

 

So, what’s the answer? There are some who favor, “I was born that way,” as a suitable explanation. But should this be realistic justification for wrongful actions ranging from marital infidelity to addictions to shoplifting to domestic abuse? We’re all broken people in unique ways, but consequences of our brokenness can’t be ignored or swept out of sight.

 

Even in the realm of religion, too often we’ve seen evidence of brokenness. Humanly speaking, there’s no solution. “Follow this rule.” “Adhere to that regulation.” “Just try harder.” We’ve all heard these and other admonitions, attempting to put them into practice, but without lasting success.

 

Is it hopeless? Experience has taught me there is one answer: the merciful, transforming power of Jesus Christ. In the gospels we find He’s the expert on dealing with brokenness, fixing the seeming unfixable. He gave sight to the blind, enabled the mute to speak, empowered the crippled to walk, healed the sick, even raised some from the dead.

 

Brokenness was involved in His greatest miracles. On at least two occasions Jesus fed thousands by breaking loaves of bread and fish that were available:

“…Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples to set before the people. He divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied… The number of men who had eaten was five thousand” (Mark 6:35-44).

“‘How many loaves do you have?’ Jesus asked [His disciples]. ‘Seven,’ they replied…. When He had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, He broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before the people…. They had a few fish as well…. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand men were present…" (Mark 8:1-9).

 

Christ’s greatest act involving brokenness was becoming the atoning sacrifice for our sins of the cross. While observing the Passover meal the evening before His crucifixion, “…Jesus took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is My body.’ Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’” (Matthew 26:26-28).

 

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus provided our only hope for the healing of our brokenness, as two of my favorite Bible verses explain. Galatians 2:20 declares, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” And 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

 

Through Him we can receive new life spiritually, no longer enslaved by the brokenness of what the Bible calls “the flesh” or “the sinful nature” (Romans 8:5, Galatians 6:8). As the verse says, “the old has gone, the new has come!”

 

Over the centuries, the Japanese have practiced an art for repairing pottery called kintsugi, mending broken parts with a lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver or platinum. In the process, the broken objects become even more valuable. That’s a pleasant picture, but what Jesus has done for us is even better: He makes us totally new creations, freed from the power of sin and empowered by His Spirit to become the people God has always intended for us to be.

As 1 Peter 2:24 tells us, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you are healed.” Restored to wholeness not by kintsugi, but by the King of kings. 

Fashioning Harmony Out of Diversity

Among my fondest memories from my high school days was participating in the marching, concert and dance bands. Even though I was far from the best musician in our bands, I played in the percussion section with gusto and pride. 

On football Saturdays (that’s when they played high school games in my day), many of the spectators came not to watch our football team – which was mediocre – but our marching band, which was undefeated. Among the bands in our region, we had no equal.

 

The snare, tenor and bass drums and cymbals in our section could make the loudest sounds, but every instrument in the band was essential. That included the tubas, trumpets, trombones, saxophones, French horns, clarinets, piccolos, and even the glockenspiels. I’m sure every musician was just as enthusiastic about his or her part as the drummers were. Some might have even thought they were most important. But when we stepped onto the field, we were a single unit determined to march and perform at our very best, just as we had during many hours of grueling practice.

 

And how did we know we were doing our best? We knew by looking to our band director, an earnest perfectionist named Jack Pirone. We loved the applause of the fans, just as we did from the audience when we gave our annual Christmas and spring concerts. But it was the approval of Mr. Pirone that meant the most to us – by far. 

 

This desire to please our band director, as well as entertain everyone in attendance at our performances, resulted in a powerful sense of unity that transcended our musical differences. The brass instruments couldn’t play the percussion parts; the sousaphones didn’t try to drown out the woodwinds. Because we were performing together with a common goal, we always managed to fashion ear-pleasing harmony despite our diversity. 

 

We find ourselves in a place called the United States of America, but today we seem anything but united. Rather than appreciating our differences and seeking to dialogue and understand each other, we’re like members of an orchestra who want to dominate the stage. News commentators try to outshout each other. Protesters exchange angry words. I think of the phrase from the old Buffalo Springfield song, “For What It’s Worth,” describing the scene: “…A thousand people in the street singing songs and a-carrying signs, mostly say hooray for our side.” 

 

This phenomenon isn’t new. A verse from the Bible, written many centuries ago, provides a similar description: “The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there” (Acts 19:32). Everyone seemed to be in an uproar, but many of them weren’t even sure why. Just as it is today.

 

We find this even within the Church – pastors, religious leaders, congregations and denominations all at odds, convinced they’re right and everyone else is wrong. If the apostle Paul were to see what’s going on today, he’d probably tell us the same thing he told believers of his day: 

“My brothers, some…have informed me that there are quarrels among you…. One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?...” (1 Corinthians 1:11-13).

 

According to many reports, God is working in wonderful ways across our land and around the world. But despite the millions of people who profess to be followers of Jesus, our impact on society appears to be proportionately small. One reason for this is our disharmony. We’re like a band or orchestra in which instruments are out of tune and musicians are trying to upstage one another.

 

Paul often wrote about the importance of achieving harmony within the body of Christ. To believers in ancient Rome he said, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Chris. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” (Romans 15:5-7).

 

In my high school band, our foremost goal was to please our director. He served as our inspiration and motivation. The mission of advancing the Gospel of Christ is so much greater and more important than a band performance. Rather than focusing on our agendas and disputing over our differences, we need to be “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

 

If we can succeed in doing that, how much brighter the light of Christ we could cast upon our increasingly dark world; how much greater would be the savor of the Gospel for those around us embittered by circumstances and godless ideologies. As the apostle wrote to the church in Philippi, “make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” (Philippians 2:2). If we can please our Conductor, the Lord Jesus, nothing else matters.

Confession Isn’t Just Good for the Soul – It’s Crucial

One evening years ago, my children and I were playing some games in our den when the phone rang. I answered it and on the other end of the line was a man sobbing and saying repeatedly, “I need a friend.”

 

It was a man I’ll call Frederick, whom I’d met with in a discipling relationship some years before. He wouldn’t explain over the phone why he was so distraught, but we agreed to meet the next day. As we met, Fred poured out his heart, confessing that for years he had concealed being what he termed a “sex addict.” I’ll spare the details.

 

During the time we’d been meeting once a week, I neither knew nor suspected any of this. However, I had recognized and commented about how his job, which regularly took him out of town for weeks at a time, could be problematic for the health of his marriage.

 

Fred’s wife, he confided, had discovered his wrongdoings. His marriage was in shambles, and he’d become alienated from his children. I was the first person he’d told about his sinful lifestyle. “Why didn’t you ever say anything about this?” I asked. Fred responded he’d been too ashamed, preferring to put on a front as if everything in his life was fine.

 

I knew I couldn’t solve his plight. I did encourage him to turn to God in repentance, seeking His forgiveness, grace and mercy. But as Fred talked, he showed relief in having his secrets finally brought into the open. Until then, the only ones that knew the truth were himself, Satan, and God. And the tempter bombarded him with thoughts about how vile he was, as well as how despised he’d be if anyone were to find out about his hidden life.

 

I didn’t condone or excuse Fred’s behavior but didn’t judge him either. That wasn’t my job; God alone is our righteous Judge. I did offer suggestions for how he might move forward, but it’s been a long time since then and I’ve lost touch with him. I hope God enabled him to get his life back on track.

 

Thinking back on that time, I’ve wondered whether things could have turned out differently if Fred had decided to confide his “addiction” to someone much sooner. As long as they’re concealed, hidden sins can hold us captive, unable to resist their impulses. Confessing them – with an attitude of genuine repentance – is crucial. It can release us from their insidious grasp.

 

But this raises a question: To whom do we confess? Some Christian traditions encourage the confession of sins to clergy. This may be useful, but it’s not necessary to wait until we can meet with a pastor or priest to confess whatever our sins might be. As we read in 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

 

What this means is we don’t need a human “middleman” to intervene between us and God. There’s but one mediator, Jesus Christ, who as the next verse states, “gave Himself as a ransom for all men – the testimony given in its proper time.” As another verse assures us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

 

When we sin, we can go directly to the Lord in repentance and receive His forgiveness, restoring us into a right relationship with Him. However, there are times when confiding in another human can be helpful, even essential. This was the case with Fred. I’m reminded of the frightened child who had called out to his mother. She urged him to take his fears to God in prayer, to which he responded, “I need someone with skin on.”

 

The Scriptures give us ‘permission’ to do this: “Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

 

We’re all sinners, daily in need of God’s forgiveness and cleansing. When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price for our sins once and for all: Tetelestai – “paid in full.” However, even as forgiven believers, unconfessed sins can erect a barrier between us and the Lord, disrupting the perfect relationship with Him that He desires. This barrier is taken down through genuine confession and repentance.

 

Our purpose in confessing sins to one another isn’t to embarrass ourselves. Nor is it to seek absolution from one another. It’s to establish accountability with another trusted follower of Christ, one who not only can offer counsel but also will provide prayer support, calling on God to enable us through His power to overcome temptation and live in a way that pleases Him.

Moving sins from darkness and into the light through confession – even to one another – can enable us to experience the truth of Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” 

Waiting on God When He’s Waiting on Us

For most of us, waiting isn’t a quality in which we excel. We don’t like waiting, whether it’s at a traffic light, in the grocery store checkout line, at the doctor’s office, or anticipating an important email, phone call or letter. Not to mention waiting to be seated at a popular restaurant or holding on the phone for the next available customer service agent.

 

When children are young, they can’t wait until they get older. Teenagers grow impatient waiting for the time when they can drive, then declare independence from their parents. Even when our school days are over and we’re on our own, waiting remains one of our weaker attributes – waiting for the weekend, waiting for that promotion at work, or waiting to retire.

 

Like it or not, waiting also plays an important role in our spiritual life. There’s verse after verse about trusting in the Lord and waiting on Him to act is response to our prayers and needs. In Psalm 27, for instance, King David writes about His confidence in God even in the most dreadful situations. He closes with the declaration, “I am still confident of this: I will see the good news of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:13-14).

 

One of my favorite Psalms addresses this topic not once but twice. Also written by David, he cites a number of proactive steps – “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord…. Commit our way to the Lord; trust in Him…” (Psalm 37:3-5). But then he hits the spiritual brake pedal, exhorting us to, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him…. Wait for the Lord and keep His way…” (Psalm 37:7,34).

 

The Israelite king must have become accustomed to waiting on the Lord, because in Psalm 130:5-6 he wrote, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.” And the prophet Micah declared, “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).

 

When we read such passages, our first reaction might be something like, ‘Yeah, but that’s easier said than done.’ Because if we’re honest, we know what we want – and we want it now. In His Word, however, the Lord essentially is telling us, “I don’t work that way.”

 

We could point to dozens of other passages, but recently I came to the realization that not only are there are times when it’s necessary to wait on God, but also times when He’s waiting on us. It says in Isaiah 30:18, “So the Lord must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help” (New Living Translation).

 

Another translation of the same verse words this differently, but as powerfully: "Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him.”

 

What does this mean, God waiting on us? Elsewhere the apostle Peter noted, “…God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built…” (1 Peter 3:20). And the apostle Paul admonished his readers, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you towards repentance?” (Romans 2:4). 

 

At one time this might not have made sense for me – God patiently waiting on me. But now, considering my erratic, sometimes stumbling walk with the Lord over the years, I can recall numerous times when it seems obvious He was doing exactly that – waiting on me to turn to Him. 

 

It goes back to my childhood, teen and college years. I had attended church as a boy, learned lots of Bible stories and did believe in God – in an intellectual sense. But I kept Him at an arm’s length, with no intention of letting Him play an active role in my life. You might say I felt comfortable being my own god. In times of crisis I would send up a “flare prayer,” asking for God’s help, but when the ‘emergency’ had passed, I went back to doing things my way.

 

Thankfully, the Lord did wait on me, as the verse says, longing to show how gracious He is. Through a chain of circumstances too complicated to discuss here, He saw fit to move me from darkness to light, enabling me to become born again as a child of God. But it didn’t ended there. 

 

I recall times – more than I could number – when I was muddling through some major challenge, doing my best to figure out how to resolve it. It might have involved a job situation, financial problems, or a family issue. No matter what I tried, no matter how much I worried about it, answers seemed out of my reach. Then in desperation I’d pray something like, “Lord, I give up. I can’t do this!” And He’d respond, not audibly, but I’d get the sense He was telling me, “I’ve been waiting. I know you can’t do it. But I can. Just watch and see what I’m going to do.” And without fail He’d work things out better than I could have imagined.

This reality – that God does wait on us, demonstrating far more patience than we ever could – is crucial for us to understand. Whether the Lord’s calling us to enter into a saving relationship with Him, tolerating our resistance, or wanting to show He’s the best guide, provider, counselor and partner we could ever ask for, He’s waiting on us. He’s patient, that’s true. But why keep Him waiting any longer?