Archive for May, 2023
Commitment
Convictions can be costly. Standing by one’s convictions and/or keeping one’s word often offers an awkward opportunity to prove one’s sincerity.
I have a friend whose example of commitment to his convictions cost him dearly. He was the coach of a D1 football team. As he neared retirement he promised one of his assistant coaches that if he would stay with him five more years he would retire and recommend him as his successor. Five years later he won two successive national championships and had the best recruiting class he had ever had. He recounted this and said, “I didn’t want to retire, but I gave him my word so I did.” He then quoted. “If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” (Numbers 30:2)
Though he did not want to retire he kept his word and retired.
Following is the story of another example of unrelenting commitment:
For months Eric Liddell trained with his heart set on winning the 100-meter race in the 1924 Olympics. Most sportswriters predicted he would win. At the games, however, Liddell learned that the 100-meter race was scheduled to be run on a Sunday. This posed a major problem for him, because he didn’t believe he could honor God by running on the Lord’s Day. He bowed out of the race, and his fans were stunned. Some who had praised him in the past, now called him a fool. He came under intense pressure to change his mind, but he stood firm. Then a runner dropped out of the 400-meter race, which was scheduled on a weekday, and Liddell was offered the opportunity to fill the slot. This was not really “his race.” The distance was four times as long as the one he’d diligently trained for. Even so, he crossed the finish line as victor and set a new record of 47.6 seconds in the process. He earned an Olympic gold medal and made an uncompromising stand for his faith, and his story was told in the Academy Award-winning movie Chariots of Fire. But Eric Liddell has an even greater claim to fame. He went on to become a missionary in China, where he died in a P.O.W. camp in 1945. He’s like Jephthah, who said, “I have given my word to the Lord, and I cannot go back on it”. The lesson that comes through loud and clear from this man’s life is—stand by your convictions, and God will honor you.
Hope Beyond the Grave
It is said death is one of the most frequently thought of subjects, BUT one of the least talked about. It surely is not in the top 10 of cheery thoughts. Since we all know we will inevitably experience it, it is good to have a healthy understanding of it. First, this confirmation. The good news that follows is predicated on having invested one’s faith in Jesus Christ as savior and seeking to obey and follow Him. By the resurrection dawn’s early light the grave became a symbol of heaven’s triumph.
Death’s night sky would be starless and its day hopeless were it not for Jesus’ exaltation, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.” (Revelation 1: 18)
Victor Hugo voiced the hope with which many approach the grave. “When I go down to the grave I can say, like so many others: I have finished my work, but I cannot say I have finished my life. My day’s work will begin the next morning. My tomb is not a blind alley. It is a thoroughfare. It closes in the twilight to open in the dawn.”
The light of the world now shines to guild the mountaintops of our achievements and light the valley of the shadow of death.
In a moment, in the twinkling of the eye, we are transported from one life to another. The two lives are really not comparable. The second is so superior to our present one there is no way to compare them. Some people want to know minute details regarding it. Comfort and confidence enough can be gained by the sublime factor Jesus is there. If it is good enough for Him, it will be glorious and fulfilling for us.
Before Columbus, maps of the world off the coasts of England and Europe had written across the unknown sea, “Ne Plus Ultra,” meaning “No more beyond.” Further out in the sea were such inscriptions as, “Here be dragons.” These hope defeating giants were replaced after the voyage of Columbus with “Plus Ultra,” meaning “Much more beyond.”
Jesus’ coming out of the grave proves there is much more in the after-life.
An infinite blessing is found in that it is antithetical to the alternative, hell. The hell of hell is not found in the gory details it embodies, but in the fact Jesus is not there and His love is not to be enjoyed. Heaven offers hope, hell means despair. The Lord leaves the choice to us.
Revel in this reality: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Grave, where is your victory… Thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord….”
This turns people unable to cope into people of hope.
Who Are You?
A person is who they are to you. The reverse is also true, you are who you are to an individual. For example, person “A” may be kind, gracious, and thoughtful to person “B.” Thus, when person “B” thinks of person “A” that is the image that comes to mind.
Then person “A” encounters person “C” and is curt, rude, and unkind. Thus, when person “C” thinks of person “A” that is the image that comes to mind.
This means we build our reputation person by person. That necessitates consistency. Socrates exclaimed, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Aristotle went further saying, “The highest good for a man is self-realization.” That is a bit of an overstatement, but it does indicate it is important. With this challenge in mind, think of what image you would like for people to have of you. Pause and frame that image clearly. When you have that image clearly in mind, resume reading.
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5: 14 – 16)
Be transparent, let Jesus showcase Himself through you.
We often say of an individual he or she is just like, and name someone we know. Live so that when you leave a person they muse over the likeness of Jesus.
In using the imagery of a city on a hill Jesus is saying be public about your faith. Don’t be a spiritual chameleon.
Let’s be realistic, there are times, places, and positions that demand harsh reprimands be given and authoritative commands expressed often with a loud and even stern voice, like a coach. It can be done in an affirming way.
The following text is as relevant as though written today. Read it observing the conditions prevailing and then consider the proper response in such a world.
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” (Philippians 2:14-16)
Let your theme song be that old classic,
“This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”
Glow on!
Who Me Worry?
Do you ever spend time worrying about some future event? Whatever the experience is, you engage in a big time worrying session playing, “what if.”
Have you ever thought about it, worry is simply negative thought, nothing more. Worry is the only sin we brag about. “I worried so much I couldn’t sleep,” or “I worried so much I couldn’t eat.”
Our beloved Lord has said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” We muse, will it really be? Think about it, hasn’t it always been?
In the Medieval Era one of the Reformers was condemned to be burned alive at the stake. The night before his execution screams were heard coming from his cell. He was trying to see if he could stand the pain leading to his death. To do this he was sticking his finger in the flame of a candle. Each time he put his finger in the flame, he withdrew it in pain. The next day as he stood tied to the stake with the flames rising around him he was heard singing a hymn.
God’s grace was sufficient at the stake, though it wasn’t the night before. What made the difference? At the stake he needed God’s grace and had it, the night before he didn’t need it and didn’t have it, but was imposing on God’s grace.
The promise is “My grace is sufficient for you.” That is not future or past tense, it is perpetual present tense. It is not sufficient before needed, but every time when needed. Let that dispel your worry, knowing when needed His grace is sufficient. Now frame your thoughts in that light and confidently think positively.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” II Corinthians 12: 9
When Paul initially received that promise, he had been appealing to God to take away his thorn in the flesh. By God’s grace he learned:
Affliction is most often a time of great spiritual growth.
Apathy is a spiritual virus that overtakes us and consumes us.
Therefore, may we say with Paul, “I gladly glory in my affliction.” It is possible to transition from griping to glorying only if II Corinthians 12: 9 is applied. Remember who said, “My grace is sufficient.” If you need a reminder, it is the God of all grace who loves you, who desires, and designs good for you.
Oh, Give Thanks
This week millions will celebrate the grand holiday of Thanksgiving. Our heritage precipitated it and our gratitude perpetuates it. In certain circles the meaning has been diminished. In some public schools it is now represented as a time when the Pilgrims got together with the Native Americans to thank them for their help. Not so.
Out of hearts of thanksgiving in 1621 the Pilgrims met with 90 Wampanoag Indians for a time of thanksgiving to God for His blessings on them. For three days they celebrated and feasted on clams, corn, codfish, geese, ducks, turkey, eel, bass, barley, venison, and corn bread.
Such was the land of the Pilgrims’ pride.
Two years later in 1623 a drought threatened the Pilgrims. Governor Bradford issued a proclamation on November 29 that all the people should gather in the meeting house to “listen to ye pastor, and render thanksgiving to ye God for all His blessings.” Before the meetings were held rains came and the services became times of thanksgiving.
In 1789 President George Washington issued a Thanksgiving proclamation setting the last Thursday of November as a time of giving thanks for the new Constitution.
In 1863 Sarah Joseph Hale, author of the well known poem, “Mary Had a Little Lamb” persuaded President Lincoln to establish a day of Thanksgiving. The fourth Thursday of November was set.
In 1941 Congress established the fourth Thursday of November as a national holiday of Thanksgiving.
President Washington’s proclamation contained in part the following:
“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of All Mighty God,
to obey His will,
to be grateful for His benefits,
and to humbly implore His protection and favor,
to pardon our national and other transgressions,
to render our National Government a blessing to all of the people
by being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws,
discretely and faithfully executed and obeyed.”
Residents of the Land of the Pilgrims’ pride had reason for giving thanks and they did. How much more have we cause to give thanks. Be sure to do it.
Reflect on this little chorus:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings name them one by one,
Count your many blessings see what God has done.