Time is wasting

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

I love it when God hits me over the head with something I need to learn by presenting the same truth to me several times. This happened when I saw Ephesians 5:15-16 in a number of different places in one day which says: “Be very careful, then, how you live,not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Okay, Lord, I understand that we are to make the most of every opportunity, but what does “the days are evil” mean?  In search of an answer, I found a couple commentaries and came up with the following treasure:

“Because the days are evil, because the times in which you live are evil, there are many allurements and temptations that would lead you away from that the proper improvement of time . . . and that would draw you into sin . . . to go places where time would be wasted.”  (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary)

 

As I read this quote, I felt I haven’t been caught up with “allurements and temptations” not of God, but in questions of what I should do: “God, what do you want me to do? Lord, should I speak at this event or that one? Lord, do you want me to start another radio program? I’m not sure. I don’t know what I feel I should do.”

It was as if the Lord was reminding me, “Stop wasting time by emotionally spinning and becoming immobilized and paralyzed with your feelings, if you should do this or that.  Just get busy for me. I will guide you as you move forward and work. You don’t have an unlimited amount of time.”

I immediately thought of someone I once knew who spent years agonizing over how they where supposed to serve God. they sat at home doing nothing while their emotions led them into inactivity. In the meantime, time was wasting.’ Tragically, the days they could have been serving Him were lost.

When we spend our days languishing in indecision, we can spend so much time wondering what we should do for Christ that we do nothing at all. We must remember that eternity is closing in, and that we only have a limited amount of time to make a difference. We must also remember there are a myriad of ways to serve Christ and show His love for others. All we have to do is look around and ask God to show us opportunities in our churches, neighborhoods, and even our own homes. The opportunities to serve and use our gifts and talents are limitless.

Perhaps this speaks to you today. If you don’t know what to do, do something. There are plenty of ways He has clearly shown us to serve Him in His Word while you wait on Him for more direction. What do you say? Let’s get busy for Christ. He will guide us as we work for Him and listen to Him.

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:16).

Good power

The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power. Nahum 1:3 

Power is associated with a position of influence like a PTA President, a government official, a CEO, or a pastor of a local church. Unfortunately, small-minded, insecure people in places of authority use power as a form of fear and intimidation to seek to control their self-benefiting agenda. A much healthier use of power is for those in positions of authority to serve at the pleasure of the people to which they are accountable. So, a PTA President serves the parents. A mayor serves the constituents. A CEO serves the leadership team. A pastor serves the church. Good power, instead of an ego trip, is handled humbly and wisely for the benefit of those being served.

God, who is great in power…nevertheless, is slow to anger. The Almighty, instead of instantly being enraged, is gracious to love and forgive. Charles Spurgeon majestically depicts divine power, “God’s rod of mercy is ever in his hands outstretched; his sword of justice is in its scabbard, held down by that pierced hand of love which bled for the sins of men. 'The Lord is slow to anger' because he is great in power. He is truly great in power who hath power over himself. When God’s power doth restrain himself, then it is power indeed: the power that binds omnipotence is omnipotence surpassed.” I love Spurgeon’s phrase, “He is truly great in power who hath power over himself.” Truth! Since the Lord, the most powerful, harnesses His great power for those He loves, so we are called to channel our influence for what’s best for everyone. 

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me.' Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only'” (Matthew 4:8-10).

Satan tried to tempt our Savior Jesus with power when He offered control over the kingdoms of the world… abruptly, Jesus demanded the devil to be gone and called out the evil one to worship and serve God…the only One who has all power. Be on guard against those who are persuasive with words and wealth and who see power as a weapon to gain more instead of a responsibility to give more. Unless you give away power, so others are empowered to serve and grow, you will be controlled by power's addictive forces rather than freeing yourself and others to become the best version of themselves. Good power looks for the good in others, working toward God’s best. 

An allusion to being powerful can overwhelm a life, as it lives in strife, constantly battling anger’s short fuse. In contrast is a life that abides in Christ, not consumed with having to be in control, rather resting in the Lord’s process of serving and giving to others…not feeling the need to control circumstances and people. Love frees you from power and having to be the one in charge. Yes, you may be ultimately responsible at home, work or in your community, but share your authority with others. Be available to collaborate and serve but bless others to take the lead without the need to micromanage. Good power gets healthy results while building healthy relationships. Power can be trusted with those slow to anger and generous with their influence.

Self-elevation

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 3 John 1:9

Few things are more deeply hardwired into our humanity than our love of being loved. 

The root of self-elevation is an inflated view of our thoughts, opinions, and abilities. Simply put, we are convinced that our way is right, and that others would do well to get on board, and the sooner they figure this out, the better. Interestingly, the more time and effort we spend grasping at power and influence, the more energy we must exert to continue to cling to it. And perhaps most damaging of all, when we are in love with our own leadership, we create a lonely and isolated world in which we must live.

By definition, a love of being first categorizes the world into “winners” and “losers.” There can only be one winner, and so anyone else, especially those with natural or Sprit-given leadership abilities are seen, not as potential partners or collaborators in the shared work of the gospel, but as threats that need to be eliminated and put in their proper place.

Sadly, even the early church was not immune from this impulse. In 3 John we are told that Diotrephes, a leader in the early Christian community, “loves to be first,” and saw the Apostle John as a direct and immediate threat to his control over the community. His leadership was driven by fear, and fear kept him from receiving the gift of partnership and shared leadership.

Fear is a universal emotion. We’ve all felt it in one way or another. Perhaps you’ve feared for your safety or the health of someone you love. You’ve likely faced the fear of rejection and having your vulnerabilities exposed and exploited. Yet today, we must focus on a particular fear, one that can impact all of us, regardless of our level of power or authority. 

Be attentive to the fear of losing your importance, however real or perceived it may be. 

In my local church, every Sunday we sing a simple hymn: “Only one is holy, and that one is the Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.” If you resist the leadership or influence of another, chances are you’ve fallen prey to this trap of needing to be first and in truth, have likely lost sight of the one who is worthy of such elevation. 

Only one is holy…which means every single one of us thus leads as submitted servants under his guiding hand. Let us, therefore, flee the trap of comparison and look to our brothers and sisters, not as threats to our ego or influence, but as fellow servants to the King.

What do you run after?

Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow's cause does not come to them. Isaiah 1:23

Though remote work has reshaped much of the modern workday, if you were to walk the streets of New York or Chicago you would still find countless people moving at breakneck speeds, eagerly seeking to get ahead and make a name for themselves. Rest is for the weak and weary, and so they down another cup of coffee and press on in search of the prize. Lose focus for even a minute, we’re told, and someone will take your spot and leave you in the dust!

While many if not most of us may not work a high-pressure job in the heart of a big city, the expectation and pressure to give yourself fully to the pursuit of material gain can be found anywhere and everywhere, for it is a basic human impulse. Even in Isaiah’s day, we find this truth at work! “Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts” (Isaiah 1:23). 

At one level, giving yourself to a successful career is good and right. We should work faithfully and as our work bears fruit offer it back to the Lord in thanksgiving. Yet today, Isaiah reminds us of an essential truth of life that transcends time and place: you cannot run in two directions at the same time. 

If you “run after gifts” with all your might, you will never have the strength or capacity to run after virtue and an unwavering love of neighbor. The things we pursue reveal the desires of our hearts. If we most deeply long to be respected, wealthy, and powerful, we will chart our course to this destination and seek it with all our might. Yet, if we have hearts that have been transformed by the mercy and compassion of God, we will be unable to turn a blind eye to the sorrow and suffering of our neighbor and will prayerfully seek ways to bring God’s justice to a weak and weary world. 

Those who are in need are looking for people of peace, places of safety to whom they can turn in times of distress. If your life is consumed by love of money or finding meaning in work alone, the “widow’s cause” will never come to you. Yet, if you open your life with compassion toward others, those who are in need of your care will sense it and see in you the love of Christ that they long to know and encounter.

The sin of not being serious enough

 In a similar way urge the young men to be sensible and self-controlled and to behave wisely [taking life seriously]. Titus 2:6

 

Faith is a serious matter. What we believe and how we behave can be the difference between heaven and hell, life or death. An abundant life or one of misery and hopelessness are competing outcomes, based on our sober mindedness about eternal matters. Life sets us up for suffering so it’s imperative that we prepare our hearts and minds to persevere through difficulties and love one another. Faith in Christ and the character of Christ is wisdom to overcome deception, lies and arrogance.

 

Paul urges his protege Titus to call out young men to a higher standard of living that takes life seriously. The reality of being a responsible human being who is self-controlled and behaves wisely refrains from overindulging now, and instead learns to wait and prepare his character to handle the Lord’s favor. To behave wisely is to accept that life’s challenges have been around for millennia, and that wise behavior comes from God and learning from those who have faithfully followed Jesus over their lifetime. Taking life seriously means being a lifelong learner of God.

 

Sadly, some older males need to grow up and become men, the kind of men younger men can follow and learn from. Trade in your t-shirt for a starched shirt and stop acting like a kid. Some women need to quit obsessing over their outward appearance and spend as much energy and attention in cultivating a kind, generous heart that finds ways to serve others. Taking God seriously means taking seriously what matters to Him: lost souls, poverty, injustice, unforgiveness, fear and unbelief. Seriousness over our sins that sent Christ to the cross calls us to repentance!

 

Self-control at work may call you to resist manipulating for a promotion now in exchange for supporting the team and growing long-term respect. Self-control at home may mean giving up a hobby or career in exchange for a season of unselfish service. What does it mean to take life seriously by behaving wisely? Instead of spending more than you make, wisdom instructs you to pay your taxes, save, give and spend what remains. Wise living leads to fulfilled living! Take the Lord more seriously and you will enjoy the freedom of grace and the joy of willful obedience.

I don't feel heard

I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply. Job 32:20

Two-way communication is critical for the health of organizations and relationships. If I am so busy that I do not take time to talk through expectations, then I set up all parties for frustration. For example, I may expect a project to be due at a certain date, but if I do not monitor the progress along the way then the deadline may come and go unaccomplished. If, however, a system is in place for ongoing feedback, then everyone is clear on where we are and where we need to go. Two-way communication brings clarity.

What about our most important relationships? Do we take the time to interact so there is authentic understanding of each other’s needs? If we are not careful, we can take for granted the very ones we care for the most and, in a moment of misunderstanding, become angry in our disappointment. Two-way communication takes time to talk.

Communication that goes both ways requires knowledge and comprehension. If you speak out of emotion before you gain insight into the situation, then you only prolong a productive exchange. Suffering in adversity, Job struggled with this. “Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight” (Job 34:35). Two-way communication is a product of two people listening, understanding, and taking responsibility for the next steps.

Perhaps a weekly progress report on a present project at work is necessary to keep all team members accountable and up-to-date. At home you could incorporate a daily walk together just to catch up and hear each other’s hearts. Quality communication flows from quantity time to hear and to be heard. Slow down and make sure you speak up.

Most importantly, communication with Christ is our greatest opportunity to gain insight and understanding into His heart. If you are too busy to pray, you are too busy. The Bible is His love letter to us. As we read Scripture, do we fill in our name as we read its admonishments? Two-way communication with Him means we desire to learn, grow, and exercise the faith that comes from communication with Him..

Spirit influenced

Spirit Influenced    Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.  Ephesians 5:17–18   Who is my number-one influencer? Is it my wife? Is it a friend? Is it my mom, brother, or mentor? All of these are important and influential, but I desire the number-one influencer in my life to be Holy Spirit. He is the one whose instruction and guidance is always full of integrity and righteousness. When I am Spirit led, I can be confident of an outcome that mirrors God’s will.   It is easy to be influenced by a culture whose standards are below what is best. For example, the world may whine and say it is old-fashioned to have boundaries with the opposite sex. But, as believers in Jesus, we know it is wise to keep emotional distance from someone who is not our spouse. Spirit-led living does not linger long around unwise activities.   Who is your number-one influencer? Perhaps it is a coach, colleague, or counselor who gives you good advice. All of these have their place, but never allow an individual to replace Holy Spirit as your most-important influencer. Sometimes a friend will suggest one thing and God’s Spirit another. Go with God. His promptings are meant to triumph any attractive offer that may tease your emotions. Trust the Spirit’s leading.   “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (Romans 8:5).   It may be hard for you to follow the influence of our heavenly Father because our earthly father may have abandoned his responsibilities. However, the Spirit of your Father in heaven is trustworthy and true. He never leaves you or forsakes you. His Holy Spirit is sensitive to exactly what you need, when you need it. He is reliable.   So, once you have confessed and repented of your sin, ask Him for the fullness of His Spirit to flood your soul. The Spirit of God flushes out the foolishness of the flesh and fills it with wisdom from the Lord. The Holy Spirit brings wholeness to your heart and truth to your head. Be intoxicated by the Spirit’s influence, and you will walk wisely.