Friday, December 14, 2012

Pastor's Perspective - Imagine They Were Right



Imagine they were right.

The Mayans are the ‘they’ I’m talking about.

Imagine if they accurately identified the termination date of the world.

Now, we know the truth. Jesus Himself said twice (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32) that no one knows that day or the hour when life as we know it will end. Likewise, theologically speaking, it’s highly unlikely that God would have revealed this kind of global revelation to a polytheistic people who routinely exercised child sacrifice in their worship. Though they were an impressive civilization, they weren’t exactly singing off of God’s hymn sheet!

But, imagine they were right.

Imagine the world was ending, as they predict, just one week from today.

How would that affect the next seven days in your life?

Would you make some overdue phone calls? Would you send out an apology email or two? How would your Facebook posts read? Would you be in church this Sunday? What would your family-time look like? Would the pages of your Bible be turned with greater urgency and interest? How would your conversations with the Lord sound? What would you do with all of the things you’ve accumulated? How would you view the reality of life after death?

Stop and think about it.

Imagine they were right.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Pastor's Perspective - Come Forth As Gold!



A radio preacher said something during a broadcast that has stuck with me for a few days now. He stated in a very matter-of-fact tone, “God offers the choice to every member of the human family – ‘You can burn now, or, you can burn later.’” 

We all know about the elusion to burning later he made. That’s a reality for the unrepentant; those who choose to give God’s gracious invitation through Jesus Christ the Heisman trophy stiff-arm. However, it’s the ‘burning now bunch’ I seem to be counseling the most lately as a minister. Maybe you’re one of them! You’re one of those ‘real people’ we celebrate and open our proverbial arms to here at First Christian. You’re a person who seems to be going through it – and by ‘it’ I mean the confusing, turbulent, disheartening sequence of life events that has left you wondering if God is watching and if He even cares. If that’s you, meet Job!

The Bible describes Job’s life as one blessed beyond compare. He has a wonderful family, wealth, and a stellar reputation, grounded in his high values and adoration of God. But, you know the story. One day everything changes. The benevolent baron from the land of Uz loses everything – almost his life. Gone within a few messengers’ reports is everything in which he found his stability, pride and greatest joy. 

In his torment, his friends come to visit him. What begins as a model of good pastoral care quickly ignites into finger-pointing cross-examination! Surely there is a cause for Job’s disaster. There is a reason Humpty had a great fall. Yet, after forty-two chapters and a special cameo by the Almighty Himself, no reason is ever identified.

As humans, we are meaning machines! We want everything to make sense. We claw at the ‘whys’ of life and long to wrap our craniums around reason and blame. But, in this ancient narrative, one never appears. Leaving us all to wrestle with the facts – God is not like us – He sees a bigger picture – He does whatever He wants whenever He wants with whoever He wants without asking permission first!

As we persevere through the unpredictable  tsunamis  of a fallen world, our thirst for understanding may never be quenched. However, we can hang on to hope – the kind of hope that comes through knowing the true character of God. Listen to Job’s hope – “But he (God) knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. (23:10)

Job knew that being an authentic follower did not mean an exemption from hardship. Instead, he knew that in order for God to truly transform him, that the painful fire of trials were necessary. That in order to purify Job and mold Job into a vessel God could use, heat was uncomfortable but essential. God was fully aware (‘knows the way that I take’), and testing, according to Job himself,  wouldn’t last forever. 

How about you? Are you going through it? Hanging on by your fingertips? Wondering when the ‘Broil’ setting will be turned off?

 Hang in there! Rejoice! You are not alone. God has got you! He knows what He is doing. Trust. Surrender. Believe. The Master is burning away the impurities and shaping you for your good, the benefit of others, and ultimately for His glory. And when He is all done, you’ll come forth as gold!