Through my 66 years of life, I have had the privilege of meeting persons, all of whom are special in their own way. Special, yes, but so very different. I am truly amazed at how vastly different we all are from one another.

My wife and I were watching some television program recently, and I made the observation that it is astounding how we all share the same basic facial features, and yet, we are all so unique. There are those occasions in which we cross paths with someone who looks so similar to someone we know, but upon closer observation we see differences that set them apart. Even ‘identical twins’ have their distinctions. We are all very different.

But we are different in other ways as well. This week, I would like to focus my thoughts on one way that we are all so very different: Outlook. How do you look at the “stuff” of life? Do you think of yourself as an optimist? A pessimist? A realist? Or would you say that your outlook changes from day to day, and from experience to experience? I have met a few individuals who seem to change from optimist to pessimist instantly! But, for the sake of time and clarity, let’s focus our attention on the general outlook that characterizes our lives.

First, let’s focus our attention on the pessimist. Give some thought to the definition of pessimism: 

1. the tendency to see, anticipate, or emphasize only bad or undesirable outcomes, results, conditions, problems, etc.: His pessimism about the future of our country depresses me.
2. the doctrine that the existing world is the worst of all possible worlds, or that all things naturally tend to evil.
3. the belief that the evil and pain in the world are not compensated for by goodness and happiness.

Wow! That is pretty depressing, huh? When I read that definition I am reminded of a statement Vance Havner made in a sermon: “It is hard to be optimistic when you have a misty optic.” When your belief is that the existing world is the worst of all possible worlds, then your outlook will be tainted with discouragement and despair. You will see no light at the end of the tunnel. You will, as Christian and his companion, Hopeful, found themselves, in the dungeon of despair below the castle of discouragement. 

Now, let’s think for a moment about optimism. Consider the following definition:

1. a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.
2. the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.
3. the belief that goodness pervades reality.

The optimist will view life and world events from a much more positive perspective. And again, think about the second definition: the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world. The pessimist, seeing nothing but negative, tends toward darkness of spirit and brooding over the potential of disaster, while the optimist sees light at the end of the tunnel, which leads to the belief that all things will somehow work out in a positive and even beneficial way in the end.

Finally, let’s give attention to the definition of realism:

1. interest in or concern for the actual or real, as distinguished from the abstract, speculative, etc.
2. the tendency to view or represent things as they really are.

The realist will see things for what they really are. They don’t perceive negative results or positive ends, they simply see the reality of what is before them.

For both the optimist and the pessimist, a certain amount of speculation is necessary. The optimist will speculate that all things are going to somehow end with positive and beneficial results, while the pessimist will only perceive negative and detrimental results. The realist will simply see things for what they are, and not necessarily perceive either positive or negative ramifications.

I must bring this to a close, and I will attempt to do that by focusing on how the believer in Jesus Christ should view personal and world events. There should be a healthy mixture of realism and optimism. Let me explain. Jesus told His followers that they would have trouble in this life. The Apostle Paul taught that as time goes on, there would be an acceleration of trouble and turmoil on the world scene. Jesus and Paul did not share these things with the intent of causing us to be pessimists, but rather to see all these things as part of a much larger picture. And, to see things as they really are: part of God’s design and plan.

Jesus and Paul also taught that we should view world events, as well as personal experiences, from the end back to the present. In other words, we should always have the end in sight. Yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel. And no matter how dark the tunnel might become, and how turbulent the travel through the tunnel might be, the believer in Jesus should always rest assured of the fact that there is light, and know that the light is Jesus Himself. 

Are there moments of discouragement in the lives of believers? Most certainly! But those moments should not define our lives, nor should they determine our future. Rather, the end should define the present. We should live every moment with the end in view. If we can accomplish this, then we will not be pessimistic, but we will be realists with an optimistic outlook. Let’s all strive for this perspective, and may it allow us to look to the future with hope and anticipation.

We are now going through the seasons with tremendous acceleration. Please note that I’m not speaking here of the seasons of winter, spring, summer and fall, but rather the seasons of the macabre (Halloween), remembrance (Thanksgiving), and the majestic (Christmas). These “seasons” are indeed distinct, but at the same time they are linked together with deep significance if we would but pause and consider them as one.

Halloween can represent for us the dark spiritual battle which rages around us each and every moment. There are forces of evil, demonic powers, that always seeking someone to deceive, devour, and destroy. The Apostle Paul informs his readers that we are in a battle with spiritual forces that are set for the purpose of utter destruction. Paul states that we are not in a battle with flesh and blood, but with powerful beings who are bent on wreaking havoc in the lives of unsuspecting, unprepared individuals.

During this season, we see individuals who transform themselves into other personas. They wear masks and costumes which hide their true identity. They pretend to be something, or someone, other than who they really are. This reminds me of a rather sobering statement the Apostle Paul makes in his correspondence with the Corinthians: “Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” Satan is out to destroy. His emissaries, the demonic angels who rebelled with him when he was cast  out of heaven, make up that vast horde of spiritual forces who transform themselves in what appears to be ministers of righteousness, but who are, in reality, opposed to every vestige of righteousness.

And thus, we are warned. This moves us to the next season: Thanksgiving. As we are warned about the antics of our enemy, we are motivated to give thanks to our true Father of Light, who sheds His spiritual light into the spiritual darkness of the enemy. It is this light that shows us the way out of the darkness, which leads to destruction and death, into the light that leads to wholeness and life.

But the question arises, “What exactly is this light?” And the Bible gives us the answer in clear, unmistakable terms. Jesus said of Himself, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” There is one, and only one, way to escape the destructive forces of darkness. Left to ourselves, we are totally hopeless and helpless. But thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, and the light of His life, we are given the means to escape the forces of our enemy. We should be moved with constant and consistent gratitude because of the gift of Light which brings the gift of Life.

And this leads us to our third season: Christmas. Into a world filled with spiritual darkness and decadence Jesus Christ made His entrance. Through the most humble of beginnings He is born to a young virgin named Mary. He carries this stigma of illegitimacy  for the entirety of His earthly life. He is God among men, but treated as the lowliest man of all. He is maligned, mistreated, abused, cast out, and ultimately crucified. All according to the eternal plan of His Father. And all carried out with the commitment of obedience to fulfill His Father’s will, and bring salvation to men, women, boys and girls who were deceived by the darkness of the evil one.

The Apostle John, in the opening verses of his gospel, makes this statement: “In Him [Jesus] was life, and the life was the light of men.” Jesus is the light who gives life. 

So, there you have it. Darkness, deceit, and death represented by the season of Halloween; remembrance with gratitude represented by the season of Thanksgiving; and, Life and Light invading and dispelling death and darkness represented by the season of Christmas. 

Have you been transferred out of the darkness of the world into the light and life Jesus offers?  If not, why not now? This very moment, acknowledge your desperate need for God’s gracious offer of salvation. Accept His offer of the life and light of His Son, Jesus Christ. And finally, thank Him for His most wonderful gift. Then, you will be able to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas for the very first time.

Here we are again. Another Thanksgiving Day is upon us. Another time of reflection and review. Another reminder of the fact that we should be people of gratitude for the multitudes of blessings we have experienced in our lives.

I realize that some would read that statement and think, “Wow, is he naïve? Does he live in the same world in which I live? Has he been living in some dream world in which everything is always nice and beautiful and clean and pristine? If he only knew…..”

Well, you’re right, I don’t know. For many of you who read my blogs regularly, I know you by name only. As a matter of fact, there are quite a number who read these weekly messages that I have never met, and will probably never meet. I am totally oblivious to what is happening your lives. 

This past year may have been a devastating year for you. You may have been bombarded by setback after setback, troubles beyond measure, problems which are continuing to wreak havoc in your life day after day. You may awaken each day to the lingering difficulties which have beset you, and these may be exacerbated by more difficulties added to the pile with unceasing regularity. And you might be reading these words thinking, “Really! He’s going to suggest that I be thankful. For what? Give me one good reason that I should be thankful for anything? Life has been nothing but one long series of painful, hurtful, heart-wrenching episodes, and there is no end in sight. Please, give me one reason to be thankful.”

I would like to suggest a couple of reasons. Let me begin my response by sharing a couple of verses from the writings of the Apostle Paul. First, from his letter to the Ephesians, he says, “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Then, in his correspondence with the Thessalonians he says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

I don’t mean to be overly simplistic concerning these two statements, as I realize that there is far too much conveyed here to cover in a brief blog. But let me draw your attention to two prepositional phrases which are extremely important for our proper understanding of this matter of thanksgiving. “In everything give thanks”; and “Give thanks for all things.” 

IN and FOR. And please note: In EVERYTHING, and for ALL THINGS. I have heard many well-meaning Bible expositors try to explain these two statements with less intensity than I feel Paul meant to convey. Does God really intend that we be thankful for every experience of life, no matter how painful it is? Are we to give thanks in the midst of those awful ordeals that catch us off-guard and unprepared? I believe the answer is a resounding YES!

Again, I don’t mean to sound simplistic, but I believe it all comes down to a matter of perspective. I am reminded of a statement found in the Westminster Shorter Catechism. The first question addressed in the catechism is this: “What is the chief end of man?” Please listen carefully to the response: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Please, read that again, very slowly. Once again. 

Let’s focus our attention now on the first part of the response: “The chief end of man is to glorify God.” My ultimate purpose in life should be to glorify God, and in doing so it will bring a sense of enjoyment to my life. Thus, if we want to learn to be thankful in all things and for all things, we need to first and foremost learn that we are created in His image, and redeemed so that we might glorify Him always. This will result in unbelievable joy in the life of the sincere believer.

This, in turn, will enable us to truly and sincerely give thanks in all things and for all things, because we begin to understand that this is our purpose. Now, let’s get a little deeper. We experience the painful experiences of life due to the fact that we live in a broken, sin-infested world. We suffer due to this spiritual state. But as believers, we see beyond the pain and suffering of the here-and-now, and we look by faith into the hereafter. We glimpse, by faith, the glory of the eternal state, and we begin to see how insignificant the sufferings of this present life are when compared to that which we look forward to in the eternal realm. As a matter of fact, Paul stated in his letter to the Romans that the sufferings of this present life are not even worthy to be compared to the glory set before us in Christ Jesus.

Think about this for a moment as we bring this blog to a close. Have you stopped lately to focus your thoughts on the amazing love and grace of God that was displayed through the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Could I encourage you to think about the grueling, agonizing brutality of these events? Then, might I suggest that you take all of your sufferings, the totality of your painful life experiences, and place them beside His. Is there any comparison? I would suggest not. We will never suffer as He suffered. And yet, His life was one of understanding that He would find the greatest joy in His obedience to His Father’s will for His life, which included all the agony and suffering. And He now enjoys the eternal blessings of that obedience.

This Thanksgiving, let’s not dwell on our experiences, but rather let’s focus on how we might be able to glorify Him in the midst of those experiences, and enjoy the blessings of His presence as we give thanks in all things, and for all things.

My prayer is that this will be the most memorable Thanksgiving Day ever for you and yours. 

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Those of you who read my blogs regularly know that last week Teresa and I were on vacation for a few days enjoying one of our very favorite places: amusement parks! I am not going to rehash that story, as I shared most of it in my previous blog.

However, I do want to revisit a topic I broached in last week’s blog simply because it is a source of sorrow for me. I mentioned last week that so many people with whom we spoke were obviously amazed at the news that we had been married 45 years. It seemed to strike a nerve with quite a few individuals. 

It gave me pause, and caused me to ask the question, “Why is a long-term marriage seen as a bit of an oddity?” We all know the statistics of marriages ending in divorce. Approximately half of all marriages end in separation and divorce. Then, those who remarry stand an even greater chance of divorcing again. It seems to be a vicious cycle into which many go, and find no way of escape. 

Teresa and I have been doing pre-marital counseling, marriage counseling, and marriage retreats for quite a number of years. We have witnessed many marriages strengthened, but we have also known those that did not survive. I remember one couple in particular who had attended several of our marriage retreats over the span of a few years. We had come to expect them to go each year. Then, one year, when we announced the date and location for our next retreat, I noticed that this couple did not sign up. I questioned them about their not signing up, thinking that it was a simple oversight on their part. I was shocked, however, when I heard their response. They informed me that they would not be attending any more of the retreats because, in their words, “They don’t work.”

I was shocked! I stood there in stunned silence for a few moments, and then finally asked, “Have you done the follow-up work you were encouraged to do?” Then, I was even more shocked. “No,” they replied. “We just thought going on the retreat would help our marriage.” 

Well, needless to say, this sort of put me into a state of mental numbness. No, I thought, they won’t work unless you work at it. I will admit that it is good for couples to get away for a weekend. To have a break from the daily routine. But a marriage retreat is meant to give us tools to use to make our marriages better. It’s not a magical time in which every problem you have, or will experience in the future, will mysteriously disappear. But it is a time in which we learn practices and principles which will enhance our marriage relationships. 

This brings me back now to my original intent in writing this blog. Why is a long-term marriage such an oddity? Or, for that matter, why is a long-term commitment to anything such an oddity? I don’t want to oversimplify an extremely serious matter, but I feel that one reason is we live in a throw away society. Think about it. It used to be that things were repaired, but now they are replaced. We just simply throw out the old and purchase the new. It doesn’t even have to be broken. We just get tired of it and want a new one – whatever the “one” happens to be. And, in the case of this blog, it happens to be relationships. 

God ordained the marriage relationship to be productive and pleasurable. We are to make a commitment that lasts until we are parted by death. But now, it lasts until we are parted by desire, or the lack of it. We are parted for the most insignificant things. 

Now I must interject at this point that marriage is extremely hard work. But, it seems that this is the very reason so many throw in the towel. They don’t want to work at it. If it becomes difficult, throw it out and get a new one. Why go through the hassle of working at this one when I can just get into a new one. 

Long-term relationships should not be an oddity, especially among those who profess to have a relationship with Jesus Christ and are striving to live by His teachings. I am convinced that long-term relationships would be more of the norm rather than the oddity if we would but commit ourselves first and foremost to Him, and then to our mate. 

Let’s all please strive to make every effort to work out difficulties and work through hardships, all the while trusting God to give us the grace to make it through. His blessings are bountiful and more than sufficient.

This week, Teresa and I are celebrating our 45th anniversary. The celebration itself was a bit delayed (about five months!) due to time constraints, but we are now able to get away for a few days and enjoy one of our most favorite things: Universal Studios and Disneyworld.

For the years of our marriage, we have always enjoyed amusement parks. When we lived in Texas, we had season passes every year to Six Flags. Since moving back to Lancaster, SC, in 1998, we have had season passes to Carowinds almost every year. We now live and work at Carowinds! And, every chance we get, we visit the attractions in Florida.

  

Yes, there are those who think we are a little too old for roller coasters and other such attractions, but it is what we have always enjoyed doing, and will probably continue to do.

Having said that, though, I am also very much aware that we are on mission for our Lord Jesus Christ everywhere we go – even amusement parks. We are striving to be a witness for Him as we make our way through the rides and attractions. Wearing a pin that says “Celebrating Our 45th Anniversary” opens up quite a number of opportunities to share a message of God’s grace. It is amazing the number of people who will congratulate us, and then ask the secret to our long-term relationship. We usually don’t have time to go into a lengthy discussion, but we quickly tell those who ask that Jesus Christ is the secret to our successful marriage.

When conversing with Spiderman (and yes, this was the REAL Spidey!) he talked with us for several minutes before the photos were taken. We told him a little bit of our story, so he had us pose with the “heart” symbol to illustrate our love for one another. Even the amazing Spiderman himself was a bit amazed!

And, yes, I must admit that I am a bit amazed at how incredibly easy it is to be a witness for our Lord wherever we happen to be. I also must insert here the fact that it is usually Teresa who engages in conversation due to the fact that I’m not wearing my hearing aids for fear of losing them on some wild ride. But Teresa is doing an unbelievable job in sharing our story, and I nod in agreement with a smile on my face.

One thing that stands out from several of our conversations is the fact that so many are absolutely astounded that we have been married 45 years. I know that there are many who have been married much longer than this, but from our conversations it must certainly be a rarity. People we meet are truly amazed at the longevity of our relationship, and it gives us all the more incentive to share our “secret,” which is really no secret at all. And yet, it seems to be a well-kept secret from so many. Oh, how I wish others could experience His love and grace as we have for these past 45 years.

Today, our plan is to go back to Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios to enjoy more rides and attractions. It is my prayer that as we go we will continue to have opportunities to share of His amazing love and grace. Could I close with a simple word of encouragement for you to do the same? His story is so worth repeating.

Jesus went about doing good. That sentiment is stated clearly in Scripture, but more than being stated, it was actually seen. His actions spoke volumes above and beyond His words. Everywhere He went He was involved in doing good. He reached out to everyone, everywhere. He showed no favoritism toward one over another. He never stopped by simply giving a word of hope, but actually gave hope to those who would receive it.

Through my sixty-six years of life, I have seen so many lives radically changed because of the intervening, interrupting invasion of Jesus into the midst to horrible circumstances. And, more often than not, this intervention of Jesus was observed through the hands of His servants. In other words, Jesus works through those who identify themselves with Him and follow closely in His footsteps, following His example of sharing hope with the hopeless, and giving help to the helpless.

Yes, I have seen individual Christians as well as loving church families taken advantage of by those who know how to work the system. One church I served as pastor was located on a busy thoroughfare in a rather large metropolitan area. We were visited several times every week by individuals or families asking for a handout. After a while we began to notice that some of those dropping by for this purpose looked familiar, so we started keeping records of names, dates, and any other pertinent information we felt necessary to make wise decisions in giving assistance. It became obvious that there were many who simply worked in rotations, going from one church to another taking advantage of well-meaning ministries resources and compassion.

However, I’ve also seen many who were in genuine need. They desperately needed someone to give them a helping hand. They were not intentionally trying to defraud anyone, but were in a situation that was completely beyond their control. Usually, these were not the ones we see living on the streets, under bridges, sleeping in cardboard boxes or make-shift tents. No, these are the ones who have been hit hard by the unforeseen circumstances of life. They are not where they are by choice, but by the life-altering uncertainties that so often take us completely by surprise.

Years ago there was a catchy little phrase that sort of captured the minds and hearts of many sincere, well-meaning Christians: What Would Jesus Do? Many wore bracelets with the letters “WWJD” engraved or imprinted to serve as a constant reminder that I should pause and ask that question of myself before making a decision or engaging in an activity. I, personally, have paused and asked that question of myself on many occasions.

A while back I had the awesome privilege of seeing the work of Kevin Lilly. He was moved to engage in a ministry to the down and out. This lead to a mobile shower ministry for those living on the streets, and to a “Street Feet” ministry where a group of people would go into “tent villages” and truly minister to those in dire straits. He asked the question, “WWJD?”, and then he went out and did it. Was Kevin ever taken advantage of? Absolutely! Did that deter him from his work? Absolutely not!

We never know the circumstances or life situations that forced an individual or family to decide to live on the streets. Some, again, are there by choice. But the vast majority of them are not.

So, what are we to do? As an individual? As a family? As a church family? How are we to respond? Well, we could just turn a blind eye, a cold shoulder, and a deaf ear to the genuine cries for help. We could justify our actions by making the assumption that they could do better for themselves if they would just give some effort. And, perhaps that is true in some instances. But there are some individuals out there who are genuinely hurting, crying out for help, and the cries are falling on deaf ears, cold hearts, and blind eyes.

My challenge to each of us with this blog is to get back to asking the question: What would Jesus do? Then, seek His guidance in determining how I, we, might be the best representative for Him in the situation. In other words, let’s go about doing good.

Do you have an acknowledged, recognized, specific mission field? You might think, “What in the world is he talking about? I’m not a missionary!” Too often, we tend to think of missionaries are those specially called and gifted individuals who go off to some far-away land to share the gospel with those who have not heard. We don’t apply the term ‘missionary’ to self.

That, in my estimation, is one of the major reasons Christianity has taken a back seat to other world religions in our present American culture. We think that being a missionary is someone else’s job, someone else’s task, someone else’s calling. That mentality frees us from a sense of responsibility in the tasks of missions work.

Before I go any further with this blog, it would probably be helpful if I defined exactly what I am referring to by the term missionary. I am using the word in the Biblical sense of simply being on mission for the Lord Jesus Christ. I realize there are those who experience a powerful calling from God to serve in full-time vocational missions work. But the fact of the matter is that the overwhelming majority of us will never experience such a calling as this.

I am not speaking here of that type of missionary. I am speaking, rather, about every believer in Jesus Christ; every individual who has experienced the saving power of God’s grace through the sacrificial death of Christ. Every individual believer is on mission for the glory of our Lord. Yes, we are all missionaries.

Now to the question posed in the title: what is your mission field? You do have one, you know. It is specific to you. It is your God-appointed place of mission work. And this is one thing I can say with absolute certainty: I know exactly where YOUR mission field is! That’s right – you read that last sentence correctly. This is one answer I can give with no fear that I will steer you wrong. I know what you’re thinking: That sure is arrogant for him to say! But please, hear me out.

It may be a foreign thought to some, because it is not a clearly taught principle you will find in the teachings of contemporary American Christianity. We are taught, more indirectly than directly, that our Christian expression is confined to certain hours of certain days of the week. We express our Christianity when we are gathered with other Christians. This is our common belief, and our common experience.

But this is not the Biblical portrait of personal missionary activity. The clearly taught concept that is seen in Scripture is that – here it is – your mission field is wherever you are, with whomever you are, everywhere you are, every moment of every day. In other words, we are missionaries 24/7/365. There is no time off. We are to be missionally minded and missionally intentional constantly.

This may seem to be an overly simplistic concept, and you may be wondering why I would write a blog on this topic. Let me explain. There seems to be a rather dramatic line of demarcation we make in our understanding of the demands of our Christian faith. We are Christian, first and foremost. Our relationship with Jesus Christ should be the number one priority in life for each of us. We are redeemed by the precious blood He shed on the cross, paying the penalty of our sin, and suffering the punishment we so rightly deserve. We are, as the Apostle Paul stated, Christ’s possession. We have been bought with a price.

I represent Him everywhere I go. So, my mission field, your mission field, is wherever we are at any given moment.

Now, let me draw this to a close by making some personal observations. For some reason, so many professing Christians seem to have adopted the mentality that what I am when gathered with other believers, and what I am when gathered with non-believers, are two entirely different and unrelated matters. I can just blend in with whomever, wherever, and whatever.

But Jesus taught that His disciples are to be salt and light. We are to let others see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. We are to be His representatives as we fulfill our mission of showing Him to the world and sharing Him with the world.

That means that what you do on your job, in your classroom, in your community, in the check-out line at Wal Mart, on social media, is a representation of your relationship with Jesus Christ. You are on mission, and you are a witness. You may be a good witness, or a very bad witness, but you ARE a witness.

In the recent past, Christians have had amazing opportunities to display His love, grace, compassion, and message in the midst of an explosive political quagmire. But, we have stooped to bashing, lashing out, with no sense of civility, no sense of respect. Can’t we disagree with others civilly? Can’t we respect others even when we disagree vehemently? Do we have to become bombastic, even barbaric, in the way we show our disagreement and disapproval?

Please remember that we are on mission. Our first priority is to be representatives of our Lord and Savior. So, let’s get out there and represent Him well!

Could I be so bold as to ask you a very personal question? What is it that you are banking on? What is it that you have placed your hopes in for your future? By future, I am referring to your immediate future, your extended future, and ultimately, and most importantly, your eternal future.

First, let’s think for a moment about your immediate future. Maybe you are one of those who is banking on your educational accomplishments to open doors for you to embark on your dream career. Perhaps you have gone through the grind of all those classes which were required for you to achieve your degree of choice. And now, having completed the educational journey, you are ready to set sail on an exciting career that you are banking on to provide a lucrative means of income as well as a life-long adventure in your field of choice.

Or, perhaps you are banking on a successful stint as a major league sports star. Perhaps you have excelled in your particular sport through high school and college, and you are now awaiting that call from that sports franchise which will secure your future.

Another possibility is that you are banking on financial investments to secure your future. Perhaps you are a careful observer of the movements of the stock market, or you have invested in other forms of what appear to be promising financial opportunities that could secure your future for years, perhaps even decades, into the future.

Or,  maybe you are banking on a relationship with your significant other to make your future bright and exhilarating. Your love for that individual will be all you need to guarantee a future that is filled with nothing but love, laughter, and lots of fun.

These four examples provide us with a brief glimpse at what we might have placed our hopes on for the future, and we are banking everything on what they will provide.

Now, let’s think for a moment about the extended future. And again, we can focus on the four examples we have mentioned above. Educational accomplishments, athletic abilities, relational engagements, financial investments are entered into with the hope that they will last a lifetime. All we can envision is the brightest of futures as we embark on the many different paths of life. And as we embark on our path of choice, we bank on it being a most fulfilling, rewarding, life-long journey.

Oftentimes the things we are banking on produce amazing rewards. That promising, even though highly risky, financial investment could provide much more than expected. Those long, difficult years of grueling educational exploits might provide that exciting career that brings you years of fulfillment. That relationship could provide years and years of happiness, even though it is riddled with challenges you never dreamed of encountering.

However, those things we are banking on sometimes leave us empty, broken, filled with remorse and regret. Careers lose their original luster. Educational achievements never produce the expected results. Athletic careers are ended instantly with a career ending injury. Those financial investments crash and burn, leaving us not only broken, but actually broke.

Someone said that we must never fall prey to the tendency of putting all of our eggs into one basket. If our hopes of a bright, exciting, amazingly productive future is focused on one thing, then if that one thing fails we feel as if life is over, no longer worth living. However, if we have a combination of several foci, then if one should happen to fail, we are not left with nothing, but we still have other investments which can now fill in the gap left by the one that has failed.

Now, having said all that about the immediate future and the extended future, let’s think for a moment about the eternal future. Making plans for the eternal future, and then banking on that plan, is much more important than the investments of education, athletics, finances, and relationships. We can make those plans, and even if they fail to provide us with the expected returns and rewards, we can still learn from the mistakes made and move on.

But, if we make the wrong plan for our eternal future, then there is no second chance. So please, allow me just a few more minutes of your time to talk about the most important decision you will ever make.

The general consensus of the present day is that there are many roads that lead into heaven. We might hear some say that it doesn’t really matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere in your belief. You may be banking on one of the many paths which are prevalent today. You may be banking on the fact that you are a very good person, one who is loving, caring and benevolent. You are banking on your belief that as long as your good outweighs your bad then it will gain you entrance into heaven.

Or, maybe you are banking on your fervent religious activity to get you into heaven. You are totally committed to your church, or synagogue, or mosque, or temple. You are actively involved in the ministry activities. You believe firmly in the teachings of your faith.

Or, perhaps you are one of those who simply refuses to believe that there is anything beyond this life. You live, you die, and that’s the end.

Just what are you banking on? Well, this decision is like no other decision you will ever make. You can go back and earn a different degree and pursue a different career path. You can make different financial investments and secure a financial future that will provide a level of comfort and fulfillment. You can pick up the pieces of a ruined athletic career by going in a new direction. You can even move on after a broken relationship.

But, if you miss out on the eternal decision that will result in your entrance into heaven, all hope is lost – forever.

I will this blog by stating categorically that there is one, and only one, road that leads to heaven; the only thing that you can bank on with absolute certainly. Jesus stated emphatically, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” You cannot go to heaven by religious activity, by being a perfect citizen, by making sure the good outweighs the bad, or any other means. Jesus is the only way.

And the great thing about it is, when you put all of your eggs in the Jesus basket, you are safe and eternally secure. You can bank on it!

So, life-altering decisions can be draining, depressing and discouraging. But, you can pick up the pieces and keep going. But the eternal decision has to be right. It is the only thing that is absolutely trustworthy. Make sure you are banking on Jesus, and He will never let you down.

 

Last week, I wrote about the impending storm, Hurricane Florence, and then tried to make some practical applications on how to deal with the storms of life. Today, I want to revisit the subject of Florence, but this week I want to face the subject head-on. Oftentimes, as I did last week, we skirt around the real issue, not wanting to deal with the difficulties of putting a destructive storm into the purposes of a good and loving God.

We so often hear the testimony of those who have been spared any personal damage from the storm, saying, “God is so good! We prayed for His protection and He protected us from the storm.” What exactly are we to understand from such a word of testimony? Are we to understand that God loves the one spared more than He loves the one who prayed the same prayer, but who suffered great loss? How do we deal with such seeming contradictions in God’s prayer-answering activities?

As of this writing (Sunday morning, September 16) it is reported that eleven people have died as a result of Florence. I didn’t know any of these individuals, but I imagine that at least some of them, if not all of them, had prayed for protection. Was God upset with them? Was He punishing them for some reason known only to God? Was He not good to them?

I was awakened early this morning by the howling winds and the heavy rains of Florence. I looked out the windows; I opened the door and peered into the darkness. Admittedly, I was a little shaken by the sounds, thinking that the large tree just outside could topple over at any time. Thankfully it did not, and hopefully and prayerfully it will not as the winds continue to blow, and the rains continue to fall. But does that mean God’s favor is on me and not on those whose homes have been destroyed by falling trees? Of course not!

But the fact of the matter is, when we say, “Isn’t God good? He didn’t allow that tree to fall on my house,” we are insinuating that His goodness depends on the good things He does. So, back to the subject at hand. Why does God’s protective arm keep some from danger and destruction, while He seemingly withholds His protection from others? Others, I might add, who have prayed just are urgently and fervently as those who are spared.

I have studied this subject diligently. I have read so many different views from quite a number of different authors. I have given consideration to those who speak from a more conservative perspective, and those who come from a more liberal point of view. I have noticed a great discrepancy between those two extremes. Liberals approach the subject from a non-theological, scientific perspective, while conservatives approach it from a theological/scientific perspective. Liberals seemingly can’t figure out any way to put God into their understanding of the workings of the universe, so they give a totally humanistic explanation, while conservatives strive to understand all the eventualities of life from a God-centered perspective.

Thus, from the liberal point of view, there is no rhyme or reason to storms such as Florence. It is just a natural phenomenon, which is being exacerbated by global warming. Whereas from the conservative perspective, everything should be filtered through the grid of a theological, God-centered perspective.

Now, admittedly, it is much easier to explain storms such as Florence from the liberal slant, because it is just a natural event which can be explained using scientific equations. But from the conservative perspective it is much more difficult because we are once again left trying to ‘defend’ God’s reputation.

Again, I have read countless commentaries, encyclopedia entries, and scholarly articles on this subject. Some have given a rather simplistic response, while others have tried to dive more deeply into the mysteries of God’s activity in such catastrophic events. None claim to have a definitive answer to this dilemma. I am not suggesting that I have it all figured out, but I will share what I have personally come to believe, and the answer which gives me the most peace of mind.

In one way, my response is quite simplistic. The Bible is clear in teaching that God’s ways and thoughts are much higher than ours. He works in ways that are far above and beyond our ability to fully understand. Therefore, we will never be able to fully fathom the intricate workings of the universe. We simply marvel at the majesty and grandeur of creation.

But, we also understand from the Bible that the earth is under the just and justifiable wrath of God due to man’s rebellion against the perfect plan and purpose of God. All the negatives of life we encounter are a result of this judgment of  God against His creation. Again, God was perfectly just in issuing this curse as He had promised man that rebellion against God  would result in this curse.

And finally, all of humanity is under this curse. Righteous and unrighteous are equally affected. As the Bible states, the rain falls on the just and the unjust. No favoritism shown here. When the storms of life come, Christian and non-Christian are equally affected. We all suffer the effects of the storm.

So now to the ‘why?’ Why doesn’t God give special attention and protection to His children? We have accepted His grace in salvation. We have been born into His family. We have been adopted as sons and daughters of God most high. Shouldn’t we be able to expect more from Him? From our human perspective this might make perfectly good sense. After all, if my child and his friend are both in danger of drowning, which will I try to rescue first? Would I not give preference to my child, and then go to the aid of his friend? Shouldn’t God be the same way? Shouldn’t He come to the aid of His children first?

From our faulty, fallen human perspective the answer is a resounding YES! However, God doesn’t work the way we work. He does things that are absurd to us, but that are perfectly sound and reasonable from His point of view.

The human family is under the just wrath of holy God. Until Jesus comes to end history as we know it, we will continue to suffer. Just and unjust alike. No favoritism. God does things to accomplish His plans, not ours. We are here to bring glory to Him. If we are allowed by His grace to suffer, then let us suffer for His glory. Let us show the world that His grace is sufficient to keep us from the storm, to see us safely through the storm, or to allow us to suffer in the storm. It is all for His glory.

And, let us remember, our glory is still yet before us. We will have the privilege of enjoying the eternal blessings of heaven, a glory that is not to be compared with the sufferings of this life. So, let’s praise God for His protection in the storm, but let’s not present the idea that the protection of God is to be equated with the goodness of God. He is good to those who suffer, and to those protected from suffering.

God is good, all the time!

Those of us who live in the southeastern part of the United States are watching with keen interest the path of Florence, a massive storm which has its bulls-eye zeroed in on the coast. It is not certain as of this writing exactly where it will make land-fall, but unless things change drastically within the next few days it will hit somewhere within the cone of uncertainty which extends from northern Florida to northern Virginia.

Life is filled with storms: hurricanes, tornados, floods, all ranging in intensity and duration. Some pass by with little concern while others cause even the most stout-hearted among us to cringe in fear and worry. Sometimes the fear and worry are warranted as those storms ravage the land, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. At other times the storms pass with just a whisper, and all the fear proved to be unsubstantiated.

As Florence approaches, we are hearing warnings, telling us to make preparations. We are encouraged to download our state’s hurricane preparation guide, which contains crucial information in how to make preparations for this, or any future, impending storm. We are to make sure we have all the necessities – bottled water, flashlights with fresh batteries, generators, enough food in the pantry to last several days, perhaps even a couple of weeks. We are encouraged to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.

This is all good advice, to be sure. Life is filled with uncertainties and storms. Not necessarily storms of nature, but storms of life. Sometimes these storms can be seen coming from a distance, and we have time to prepare. Other times, they come like an unexpected tornado in the middle of the night, with no forewarning whatsoever. We are all of a sudden awakened by the sound of the howling wind, the hail beating on the window panes, and the heart-wrenching explosions of thunder.

Regardless of which form the storm takes, they still have the ability to render us helpless for a period of time. Some, like hurricane Katrina which struck the gulf region of the United States in 2005, are so devastating that even years after the storm the damage is still being dealt with. Others come and go leaving very little damage, and can be overcome easily in a matter of days, or perhaps a few weeks.

This is the reality of life. We all face storms of different magnitude and intensity as we travel through the years. Some are major set-backs which leave us reeling in the aftermath, wondering if we can survive, and if we do, how long it will take for the wounds to heal. Others are minor storms which come and go leaving little evidence that they ever even happened.

So, what can we do to be ready for the storm? Just as we are being warned right now of the dangers of Florence, and what preparations we need to make to be ready, what preparations can we make to prepare us for the storms of life?

I will strive to answer that by sharing my personal commitment to help engaged couples prepare for the uncertainties of life as they prepare for marriage. In pre-marital counseling, I talk about quite a number of different issues, but for the sake of this blog I will focus on just a few.

First, the couple needs to know that life does not always go the way we plan. When asking for them to share with me expectations for the future, I suggest that they think about where they want to be one year into their marriage, then five years, and then ten years. I ask them to tell me about educational goals, career goals, personal goals, family goals. Then, after listening to their responses, I begin the ‘what if’ questions. I want them to realize that the best thought-out plans are sometimes unrealized. Life happens. Things change. Some of those life happenings can be devastating.

I don’t share these things to try to persuade them that marriage is not worth the risk, but to hopefully get them to understand that marriage is full of risks. Storms will come. If we have not thought through some of the ‘what ifs’ then we can easily be destroyed. We can start playing the blame game, accusing our spouse of causing all the problems. “If you would…” “If you could…” “If you hadn’t…” We can turn a blind eye to our part of the problem.

Second, the couple needs to know that even though life happens, and plans have to be changed, it does not mean that the relationship is damaged beyond repair. This is a crucial time for growth and progress. It is not a time to throw in the towel and walk away, but a time to reevaluate, to talk together and discuss the situation. Look for the root cause of the storm, not just surface issues. Granted, this is hard work. We want to find the surface issue, and put a band-aid on it, while not really dealing with what is underneath. This could actually be a bit painful, but it is well worth it in the end.

Think of it in terms of surgery. You may find a spot on your skin, and think nothing of it. But, a friend of yours, who happens to be a trained physician, looks at it and is concerned about what lies underneath that spot. After going to a specialist, you are told that there is a cancerous growth underneath that spot, not visible to the eye. If left alone, it will eventually cause excruciating pain, and eventual death. But, all you see is a painless little spot. Surgery, you are told, will get rid of the problem and you will be cancer free. The surgery will be extensive, and the recuperation will be very painful and discomforting, but it will be well worth it in the end.

So it is with storms in life. Sometimes they will be very painful to deal with, but in the end it will be worth it to go through the process of ‘surgery’ and healing.

And third, and most important, is the fact that God is the ultimate answer to all the problems in life. He is the only One who can enable us to clean up after the storm. He can put all the pieces back together. He can give us peace in the midst of the storm, and then give us victory after the storm. But, we have to be willing to allow Him to do this. Sometimes the storm causes us to take our eyes off of Him. We allow the storm to become the focus, and we lose sight of the fact that God sits enthroned above the storm, unaffected by the storm, able to control the storm, and ready to give victory after the storm.

So, the best preparation for the impending storm is to know that it is coming, and that we are safe in the arms of the only One who can master the storm, and even bring a brighter day after the storm passes than we ever experienced before the storm came. So, whatever your storm happens to be today, or whatever storm you will face in the future, don’t allow the storm to cause you to lose sight of Him. Keep your eyes focused above the storm, and allow Him to show you the path through the storm.