No Job is Unimportant

     

Going off to college, I had stars in my eyes.  Drama, public speaking, oral interpretation of literature, radio broadcasting and debating were areas that came easy to me in high school.  My goal was to become a teacher in the area of communications with a minor in English.  So when I started my college courses, I immediately tried out for theater productions.  Having done well in high school, I expected to get a substantial part on my first try.  When I learned that I had gotten a small part, I was disappointed.   

     At our cast meeting, our Theater Professor told us something I will never forget.  He said, “There are no small parts, only small actors.”  He emphasized how important every detail, every character and every line was to the whole production.  We were painting a picture through our drama.  After the meeting, I looked at things very differently and took his advice to heart giving my best effort to the part I had been assigned.  For Christians, we all would do well to remember that same advice when it comes to using our talents in serving the Lord.

     Every believer is given gifts by the Holy Spirit  to use for God’s glory.  Likewise the Lord has designed us in such a way to fulfill all the good works He has for us to do using our talents and abilities.  We have only to look into God’s Word to see a great example of this.  

     In Exodus Chapter 35 and verses 30-35, Moses describes two craftsmen that have the special qualifications to help in building the Tabernacle:  “Then Moses said to the people of Israel, ‘See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft.  And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahinamach of the tribe  of Dan.  He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver – by any sort of  workman or skilled designer.’”   Just as Moses pointed out, God had prepared Bezalel and Oholiab to carry out the intricate work of designing cloth and engravings for the Tabernacle.  

     Notice that it was God who had given these men great skill which He wanted them to use for His glory.  Prior to this time, we had never heard their names, but God knew them and the plan He had for their  lives in service to Him.  Just as our Savior took the five loaves and two fish multiplying them to feed the 5,000, so our God takes what skills we bring to Him and multiplies the blessings.

     Frequently, I hear people say that they do not have anything to offer the Lord.  They do not see that their job is important in His eyes.  So I would remind them as my college professor did that day:  There are no small jobs, only small faith and trust in our omnipotent God!  He is able to muliple the talents we bring to Him.

     Whether you are a baker, a butcher or a candlestick maker, God has you in a position where He can use you.  Never buy into the lies of the enemy that want you to believe that your job is unimportant.Remember that we are to do all to His glory.  In this, He is well pleased.  Selah! 

The Sound of Silence

     Our world is a busy, fast-paced and noisy place if you haven't noticed.  This was especially true when we were busy raising our four children.  There were times when I wondered if I would ever be able to have a complete thought without someone asking a question.  Now, of course, the house is relatively quiet on most days with the children grown and gone.  Even our dog is silent, unless of course, someone comes to the door.  However, there is a value to silence in life.  It gives us an opportunity to think and meditate on the Lord.

     Over and over again in Scripture, we see the Lord Jesus slip away for a time to rest and spend time praying.  His days were filled with ministering to people and being fully man as well as fully God, he was subject to fatigue as we are so rest coupled with time in the presence of His Father renewed both His body and spirit. On one occasion described in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus and His disciples had traveled to Capernaum where He both taught in the Synagogue then went to the home of Peter. In Peter's home, he healed his mother-in-law who had been ill.  At sundown, many came to the house to be healed. Then, Jesus did a remarkable thing.  Mark 1:35-37: "And rising very early in the morning while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him, and they found Him and said to Him. 'Everyone is looking for you.'" There are a number of times He did this setting a model that we might do well to follow.

   

 Jesus was demonstrating balance in life. From Scripture, we know that He had great compassion on the people giving Himself to them through teaching and healing.  Yet, He wisely knew when He needed to retreat, rest and most importantly pray. Being quiet before God and resting in His presence, laying before Him both our praise and our requests draws us out of the hubbub of living into the realm of His almighty presence.  If our Lord Jesus needed to do this as evidenced in Matthew, Mark and Luke, then, we also need to put aside time each day to dwell in His presence. Some may call it a "quiet time" but by whatever name we give it, this slice of time is meant for our well-being each day just as the Sabbath is designed to give us relief from our work that we may worship God.

     Certainly Jesus could have stayed on in Capernaum for some time with His ministry, but after a night of rest and time alone with His Father, He knew he needed to take the message of salvation to other towns as well.  We have a greater clarity of purpose and vision when we take a "time out" especially as we spend it with the Lord.

     As a child, I always enjoyed a special spot in our horse pasture sitting on the large root of an old oak tree near the "Little Turkey Foot Creek" that babbled along our property.  I would just sit for a long time and listen to the creek.  Sometimes I would talk to myself and other times I would talk to God and ask Him questions.  I remember those times of solitude and even to this day, I enjoy quiet time as my husband and I take walks in the Florida mornings.  Looking at nature, listening to the sounds of the birds, and inviting our Savior to walk with us as we both pray silently gets the day off to a good start.

     A routine of engaging with others in activities of the day and then retreating to a quiet space where we can rest and be alone with God is precious and well worth every minute we spend.  Jesus set an example for us that we might be better prepared to face the challenges of the world in which we live.  Don't be afraid of the sound of silence but rather, take time to be refreshed in Him.  Put away the electronics, your phone and all to hear more clearly God speak to you in His Word.  Selah!

The Answer is Not "Blowing in the Wind"

      Years ago, there was a famous folk music group called Peter, Paul and Mary.  One of the songs I loved listening to and playing on my guitar was "Blowing in the Wind".  Written during the time of turmoil in our country when the war in Vietnam was escalating, Bob Dylan wrote it as a protest song.  He asked a series of rhetorical questions and claimed that the answer was "blowing in the wind".  While the song claimed there were no answers, the Psalmist would disagree.  He found his comfort and answers in God's Holy Word.

     Recently, a friend and I have begun a study of Pastor Randy Alcorn's book, "If God is Good".  This book as its title proclaims is about evil and suffering in life.  Certainly it is a huge topic for all of us as we see the world exploding in death and destruction from both manmade and natural disasters.  As Pastor Alcorn writes: "We must form our perspective from God's Word, not popular culture " (pg.38).   He is absolutely correct.  This sentiment goes along with the verse that says: "For we walk by faith; not by sight..." (2 Corinthians 5:7).  Looking at the circumstances of life and listening to the answers modern culture gives to us is both depressing and empty of truth. However there is a place we can look.

     In Psalm 119:92, the writer said something profound and instructive:  "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction." We are not certain who the author of this Psalm was.  It could have been David, Ezra or even Daniel; however the words ring true for us all.  This verse more than any other struck a chord within me.  How do we make it through the hard times in life...the loss of loved ones...illness...loss of employment or even our home? Well, we can be assured that the answer is not "blowing in the wind".  God's Word is, indeed, the answer.  We may not find the specific reason for "why" things take place, but we find comfort, truth and hope for the future.

     All of history is "His" story from beginning to end because God is our creator and sustainer.  From Genesis to Revelation, God has revealed Himself and made known His love, His salvation and His eventual judgement of the world.  To know the Word is to know and embrace our LORD.  This is why the Psalmist makes clear that he would not have made it through his afflictions if he had not known God's Word. The Bible offers comfort to us.  Just reading Psalm 23 lets us know that we have a "Good Shepherd" who guides us and keeps us daily in His care.

     Secondly, God's Word offers the truth to us without holding back.  Our culture offers deceit, fantasy and many other means of escaping the reality of sin.  Of course, we know that the "prince of the power of the air" (Satan) is behind this.  Ephesians 2:2-3 says:  "...in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."   As believers we have been delivered from this dark domain of lies and half truths.  Therefore, we must renew our minds daily.  Washing our hearts and minds in the Word of God is the only way we can walk in this fallen world which leads me to the last point.

     When it comes to finding hope, the Bible is filled with promises to those who believe in Jesus Christ.  We have a future and a hope just as the Israelites did when God told them through the Prophet Jeremiah:  "'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jeremiah 29:11).  Even though God's people had disobeyed Him and found themselves in exile, the Lord promised them a future and a hope.  Jesus has done the same for all who believe in Him.  He sent us a Comforter (the Holy Spirit) to live within us and teach us, guide us and help us walk by faith. He also is preparing a place for us that we may be with Him forever where there will be no tears, pain, sickness or death.  This is what hope looks like to the Christian.  We have a future and a hope, but if we never get into God's Word, we will not know it.

      For believers, the answers to this life are not "blowing in the wind", they are found in the Bible.  As Hebrews 4:12-13 states: "For the Word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."  If we want to live above the transient woes of this world, we need to be steeped in His Word because it leads us into all truth, brings us comfort and gives us hope.  Selah!

Beware the Bear

     Yesterday, I came across a video of a bear that seemed to hang around a woman's house.  This was a wild animal, but the bear returned to this woman's home frequently.  In the video, she brought her cubs to the house, nursed them there and even learned to shut the door of the lady's home.  What a remarkable interaction.  Then, my husband told me about a gentleman who lived in a remote area in Alaska who had the same type of interaction with a bear who seemed quite friendly.  The relationship went on for a good deal of time and then, no one heard from this gentleman any longer.  When a welfare check took place, they found this man mauled to death.  A tragic ending for what seemed like a unique friendship with a creature in the wild.  

   

 While the death of this man who befriended a bear is sad, it serves as a reminder to us to be careful whom we entertain.  The Bible reminds us not to put ourselves in a situation where we may be overcome by temptation. I Peter 5:8 tells us:  "Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." When we invite temptation of any sort into our lives, we risk falling into sin.

     For example, if we have a drinking problem, we should not put ourselves into a situation where people are drinking all around us such as a bar.  Maybe we have a problem with gossip.  Sounds like a harmless issue but the Bible is clear about such a habit. Proverbs 11:13:  "Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered." So, if we know what God says about gossip, then we need to stay away from those who practice this lest we also fall into that sin.  This is one reason why it is so very important to know God's Word.  How can we stay out of danger if we don't follow God's guide book for life?

     In addition, the people that we spend time with are also an important consideration.  Spending time with those who do not live to please God can often influence decisions we make or actions we take.  The opposite is also true.  When we take time to be in church worship with likeminded believers or in a home group Bible study, we are putting ourselves in the company of other believers.  The Bible says that "iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17) meaning that we tend to make each other sharper as we interact together in God's Word.  This is why we are told in Hebrews 10:25:  "...not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."  We need to be in Christian fellowship.

     This world, like our bear friends, seems to be friendly and tame, but we would be wrong to trust this system just as we would be wrong not to be wary of bears.  Both can turn on you in a second.  This is why we must put our trust in God because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, avoid any appearance of evil, stay away from temptation, and do stay in God's Word.  Inviting a bear into your home can lead to serious consequences as it did for the man in the story above. Instead, we must put on the full armor of God in these days and stay in fellowship with others who can build us up rather than tear us down in our Christian walk.  Selah!