When you've only got 100 years

With this week’s passing of three well-known personalities (Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson), I’ve been thinking about the role Timing plays in life. We know that the virtue of patience runs counter-intuitive in a culture where instant gratification drives most behaviors. The timeless expression, “good things come to those who wait,” has been echoed for generations, but few embrace this sentiment, especially in a world of “I want it now,” “Just do it” and “What’s in it for me?” Even though our base instinct encourages immediate intervention, the ability to wait on the Lord’s perfect timing (Galatians 5:22) proves to be a true gift. We may set out to accomplish certain goals by a certain age and then assess our progress relative to others at the same place in time, but these evaluations can bring disappointment and disillusion when we feel we haven’t attained such milestones in a timely manner. A “world view” would suggest that we work harder, longer or smarter to achieve, but living by God’s timetable always results in appropriate provision (Hebrews 6:11-12), albeit delayed from our perspective. No matter how much time we are given in this life, it is vitally important to count every minute -- until His triumphant return (James 5:7-8) -- and then make every minute count. Putting Self aside and waiting patiently for God will result in “good things,” even if the waiting itself proves to be the hardest part.

From here to eternity

Nothing signals summertime like the peal of wedding bells. Three evenings ago, I attended the nuptials of a young couple who had gathered their respective families and friends to celebrate this traditional rite of passage. In a beautifully appointed setting, vows were spoken, rings were exchanged and tears of joy flowed freely – even from the pastor performing the ceremony. Eighteen months of meticulous planning passed in a matter of minutes as the bride beamed, the groom grinned and the proud parents presented the newlyweds at a resplendent reception. From the pulpit, we were also reminded of the lofty emphasis that God places on such a union (Matthew 19:4-6). Those who choose to put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, the body of believers (“the bride”), are right now being prepared just as meticulously by the Maker to one day soon join Christ (“the groom”) in holy matrimony (Revelation 21:2). The resulting marriage, scheduled to take place at a time God has chosen, will be an event for the ages, marking our first footsteps from here toward magnificent eternity (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Certainly, the two that walked the aisle Saturday carefully weighed their decision and agreed, hand in hand, to tackle together all the challenges that life will bring. Are you ready to say “Yes!” to the One who has promised – forever – to love, honor and cherish you, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others? Considering what awaits in heaven, I gladly respond, “I do!”

Fingerprints of God

Cleaning out a closet recently, I came across a tightly taped box the contents of which haven't seen the light of day in almost thirty years. It contains handmade artifacts from my pre-school period: a wooden desk block with a name plate inlay, a plaster of paris mold of my small right hand, and an impressionistic finger painting, initialed by the self-proclaimed "prodigy" himself. I recall proudly presenting this work to my father, who chose to readily compliment the bold, sweeping strokes and dramatic use of color… vivid sea green, vibrant indigo, rich brown and a dollop of jet black, all set against a deep blue sky. My mother, taking a different view, gingerly turned the oversized page vertically (despite my mild protestation), smiled, and then effusively praised my accomplishment – “what a beautiful horse!” Unwittingly, I had rendered the picture-perfect profile of a majestic stallion, windswept mane flowing freely for fingerprint posterity. Every child in the class was given the same tools, but we each brought our own creative vision to the cardboard canvas. In similar fashion, God has wonderfully designed us (Psalm 139:14), thus while sharing commonality in human form, we can bring glory to Him via our unique individuality (John 14:13). We are a masterpiece in the hands of an unerring craftsman and when we live our earthly lives in obedience, our true value is revealed. Without question, we are the priceless work of an Awesome Artist (Psalm 19:1) and, no matter how we interpret it, His fingerprints are all over us.

King of nothing

The current economic downturn, deemed by some the “worst” in American history, continues to result in substantial losses in home values, stock portfolios and retirement funds. Many without jobs and caught unprepared (perhaps even facing foreclosure or bankruptcy) appear to be in a state of desperate denial. They say, “This can’t be happening to me,” and rattle off a lengthy list of rationalized reasons why (i.e. their lofty education, diverse work experience, or well-placed connections), before taking second jobs or selling prized possessions to make ends meet. At no time, however, have any guarantees been made suggesting our lives be easy or that we should have whatever we want. No one has been, nor will be, “entitled” to anything… period (1 Timothy 6:17). Everything -- past, present and future -- is given to us by God himself. In return, we’re expected to be good stewards of both the resources and the things He has placed in our care (Luke 12:48b). When you have the Sufficient Savior in your corner, you hold the real key to the kingdom, along with all you need to live a happy, productive, prosperous and fulfilled life. For those who desire everything and will attempt anything in order to secure something, try giving God total control (Philipians 4:19) for a change. Absent material trappings, you can then revel in the more regal role He has reserved for believers -- King of Nothing.

One is the loneliest number

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me (Psalm 23:4)." Is there a more reassuring statement in all Scripture than the one found in David’s words? During his 1933 speech, president Franklin Roosevelt famously said that we “have nothing to fear but fear itself,” and although soothing to a nervous nation at the time, the real truth is that we always find things of which to be afraid. Fear manifests itself in numerous ways: heights, enclosed spaces, snakes, public speaking, falling, darkness, storms, failure, germs, spiders, being laughed at or being by ourselves. Fears surface when we are isolated, separated or apart from others, but there is a big difference between the fear of being lonely or of being alone. Loneliness ("table for one?") is an occasionally overwhelming surge of emotion, emptiness or solitude, defined by the absence of compassion, identity or understanding. You can, on the other hand, through circumstance or choice, choose to be one alone and find it quite enriching, as in spending quiet one-to-one time with God in prayer or Bible study (Psalm 46:1). Do the math and it all adds up. One may well indeed be the loneliest number you ever knew, but being in the presence of The One on a daily basis provides security, hope and a renewed sense of self-worth as His chosen child (1 Samuel 12:22). And in that family, you are never nor will ever be, one alone.

Thanks for the lemonade

Summer begins and brings with it the gleeful sounds of youth who have merrily left classrooms behind for a few months to enter into an equally educational endeavor -- the “summer job.” In order to pocket extra dollars, who didn’t mow lawns, serve French fries or sell lemonade (I recently observed the price of a glass has risen dramatically from five cents) on the sidewalk? During our seasonal family excursions to South Carolina, my grandmother would cheerfully remind us to “make lemonade” when things went sour, but the wisdom buried in that expression took years to bear real fruit. Life does seem to bestow more than a handful of hurdles (Psalm 34:19), typically arriving in bushels large and small – a car breaks down, an arm gets broken, an investor goes broke. Whether or not we choose to acknowledge the arrival of such calamity (Job 5:6-8), it benefits our overall health and well-being to accept each and every lemon graciously and, in turn, take stock of what we do have in our fruit basket – the love of family, the fellowship of friends and the precious commodity of mercy and grace found in the most Gracious Grower, the One who planted said seeds in the first place. The next time life drops a lemon on you, grab a pitcher and some sugar, and then take a quick moment to thank God for the refreshment (Nahum 1:7). In so doing, you will not only please the Provider, you’ll also beat the heat.

Sometimes miracles hide

Whenever something takes place that defies explanation or common sense, we don’t hesitate to drop the “m” word. It’s easy to assign “miracle” status to things that transpire unexpectedly or without provocation because we’ve learned that “cause and effect” is a way of the world -- do this and that will happen. This logic, however, wrongly assumes that we are in control of not only our lives but also what happens to and around us (Romans 8:6). We watch circumstance, fate and serendipity take center stage to claim a portion, if not all, of the credit for things that elude human understanding. Sure, we make choices here and there, but by and large, the outcomes can seem perplexingly random and without reason (Romans 12:2). Why do certain people succumb to cancer? Why are others spared in accidents? Why is our intuitive reaction to immediately play out the “why not me” scenarios? God knows why… because miracles fit His plan and from what we may deem tragedy, amazing things will spring forth (Psalm 77:14). A single rose blooms amid a thick thatch of thorns or a multi-colored rainbow chases away the clouds of a spring shower. Indeed, indelible images of incredible beauty, but these simple creations also provide visual confirmation of our Savior’s existence. To actually see God’s blessings, you’ll want to keep your eyes open – He’s working hidden miracles through you, all around you and for you right now. And that, in itself, is no coincidence.