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1997-09-06 - Energy Poorly Spent
Matt 6:26-30 "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither
do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not worth much more than they? 27 "And which of you by being anxious
can add a single cubit to his life's span? 28 "And why are you anxious about
clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor
do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did
not clothe himself like one of these. 30 "But if God so arrays the grass
of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace,
will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? (NAS)
We worry. There is no way around it. We fret and fuss over things we have
no control over. If worry focuses us to action, to make sure our kids
are ready for school, our cars are properly maintained, the rent/mortgage
is paid, I have a hard time calling it worry. It is difficult not to
worry when a friend, spouse or child is injured or sick. I don't think
that is what we are being told here. That is concern, borne out of caring.
Verse 27 is the best example. We have little or no control over how tall
we are. We may buy platform shoes or have our shins surgically extended in
this day, but the people Jesus was talking to were basically stuck. The things
we do today are often for the sake of vanity. There are extreme cases
I understand, but that is not what we're talking about here. These are things
we must accept and go on with.
1 Cor 9:26-27 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I
box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I buffet my body and make
it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should
be disqualified. (NAS)
Each of us who calls him or herself a Christian runs the race Paul refers
to here. The Christian life is a lifelong marathon. To prepare ourselves
should not waste our effort as Paul describes here. Worry is one way. Another
example has made itself far too evident this week. Today the world said goodbye
to Princes Diana, the Princess of Wales. I have heard some conversations
that were less than fruitful. In fact, in may ways there were probably harmful
to the cause of Christ.
The question asked was with regard to the Princess' salvation. Some asked
the question as an expression of sadness, and that sadness is surely
understandable. For others, argument was that her lifestyle showed that
she could not be a Christian. I ask, who can know what is in the heart of
another? There are people who come to Jesus as small children and fade away
from Christianity as they grow up. I will never say that these people are
not saved. That is between God and that person. Just as I can never be 100%
certain about even a close friend, I have even less ability to know the heart
of anyone that far afield. I can get indicators from conversations and
actions of friends, but even these could be deceptive. We are not omniscient.
I will leave that to a merciful Lord.
The point is this, we can not know. It is done and final. Diana's eternity,
for good or for ill, is set. To argue the case makes us appear foolish, and
maybe even hurtful and insensitive. These are not qualities that will draw
others to Jesus. I am pleased to see that the press has given the
families concerned some room to grieve. Maybe they are more sensitive
due to the nature of the accident that killed Lady Diana and companions.
Perhaps we could take a page from their book for a change.
There is a place on America OnLine and perhaps on other online services
where anyone can leave a note that will be delivered to the English Embassy
and finally to Princess Diana's sons. If you feel lead to, send them a note
of condolence and appreciation of the things their mother did that impressed
you. Certainly not least of all, pray. There are so many things to pray over
in this that are profitable. Rather than beat the air with meaningless
words, make them count. Make them a compassionate light in the darkness that
might lead someone to you asking questions. Those questions can be used to
direct them to Jesus and eternity with Him.
Lord Jesus, It is our hope that Diana is at home with You as we speak.
We also know that it is Your desire that everyone accept the free gift of
eternal life that You offer. Just as You showed compassion to the widow at
Nain, help us to show compassion to those that grieve around the world
in our words and in prayer. In so doing, we make take this terrible tragedy
and turn it into something wonderful for someone else. Out of ashes and tragedy
and sadness, some may come to know You as the compassionate, merciful Lord
that You are. Amen.
Peace,
Mike
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