"Short Cuts"

 

“Short Cuts”

 

In baseball lore there’s a story of a group of Major League wannabes who showed up for an open tryout session at a team’s spring training site. One hopeful was told by a coach to swing a bat then run as fast as he could to second base which he did—except he ran straight across the pitchers’ mound and slid into the base! The astounded instructor asked what he was doing and the runner replied, “That’s the fastest way I know of to get from home to second.” Presumably this player was quickly shown the exit from the Grapefruit League camp as there’s no short cut to reach second base—first must be touched first!

As we drive through the countryside or around cities we often look for ways to shorten our trip and save time. After consulting our trusty AAA map (remember those?) or punching our destination into our GPS we think we’ve found a short cut so off we go. But watch out—what we believe to be a quicker way is sometimes a cow path or puts us in stop-and-go traffic. I say this with authority as it came back to bite me on several occasions when I was headed to a first-time home visit with a hospice patient. I became a quick learner in such cases.

It just struck me that Jesus used a short cut which led to a significant encounter. When the Jewish people of His day traveled between Judea and Galilee they would usually go the long way through Perea, east of the Jordan River, to dodge the Samaritans whom they despised. But when Jesus made this journey early in His ministry He took the short cut because “…he had to go through Samaria.” (John 4:4, emphasis added). Why? Someone there needed Him to change her life as well as her entire village (read the whole chapter to see how this happened). Do we (I) sometimes avoid a particular route lest we (I) run into someone we’d (I’d) rather not? How many opportunities have we (I) missed by doing so?

In our instant gratification society we also might look for short cuts to grow in our faith. Our Lord’s friend and apostle challenges us to “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18) and Paul asserts that “…(Jesus) who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, emphasis added). So reaching maturity in our relationship with Christ takes time, actually a lifetime. So let’s stop looking for the easy way and “Throw (ourselves) into (our) tasks so everyone will see (our) progress.” (1 Timothy 4:15, NLT).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Repetition"

 

“Repetition”

 

One of history’s greatest preachers was the 18^th century Englishman John Wesley. Apparently one of his favorite Scriptures was John 3:7, “Ye must be born again.” (KJV) because one of his listeners is said to have asked why he preached on it so often. Wesley’s answer: “Because ye must be born again!” His repetition emphasized this truth that Jesus spoke to Nicodemus some 2000 years ago which hasn’t changed since then (and never will).

Repetition is an effective teaching tool. I had a high school chemistry teacher who drummed formulas, atomic numbers and scientific terminology into us day after day, much to our annoyance at times, but when it came to the New York State Regents Exam we were prepared and most of us did fairly well. Of course, the downside to this practice can be a lie told often enough that we eventually believe it to be true. Nevertheless, if we take the attitude that “I’ve heard this before.” and turn our ears off we limit our opportunity to gain further insights and understanding.

The value of repetition is nothing new—we see it throughout Scripture. Note these examples:

Proverbs 14:12: “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” (NLT). This statement also appears word-for-word in Proverbs 16:25.

Luke 13:3: “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Jesus reiterates this warning two verses later.

Matthew 7:16: “By their fruit you will recognize them.” Our Lord uses the same words in verse 20.

Galatians 1:8: “But even if we (i.e. Paul and his co-workers) or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let (that one) be eternally condemned.” Paul immediately restates this truth (with slight variations) in the following verse.

I believe the commands of Scripture are given because our human tendency is to do the opposite. For example, “Fear not” appears 365 times, “Forgive” in its various forms 143 times and “Repent” in different ways 74 times. Do we find it easy to obey these oft-stated directives? If not, do we at least better understand why God reminds us of them (and other ones) so often? Remember, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful….” (2 Timothy 3:16, emphasis added)—including the parts I wish weren’t there—so it’s in my best interest to obey. The question is, do I trust God enough to do it?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"What He Says Goes!"

 

“What He Says Goes!”

(Thanks to Karen for the title)

 

Early in my ministry a cartoon appeared in Christianity Today depicting a preacher holding a prophecy chart with angels overhead blowing trumpets and his turning to them and saying, “You’re early!” Apparently God’s timing didn’t agree with his system! But whose is right? Jesus makes the answer clear: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36, emphasis added). So it’s dangerous to claim to have “inside information” as to the timing of future events. Many who have done so have ended up with some serious egg on their faces.

God must roll His eyes at those who think they know His mind when He’s said, “…My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways….” (Isaiah 55:8). Many centuries before Zophar asked, “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave—what can you know?” (Job 11:7-8). And listen to the words of the Apostle Paul: “…All things happen just as (God) decided long ago.” (Ephesians 1:11, NLT). So what He says goes no matter what I or anyone else may think.

Politicians often make decisions based on public opinion polls, business executives on marketing research about people’s buying habits and (unfortunately) preachers on what attracts crowds. But God’s ways aren’t subject to the fickle ways of mankind (“But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? ‘Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?”’” (Romans 9:20)—rather, “He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:35).

God’s Word and purposes are sure (“Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”—Psalm 119:89; “The works of his hands are faithful and just….”—Psalm 111:7). What He says goes! So let’s follow our Lord’s brother’s advice and “…submit to God.” (James 4:7, NKJV) and His ways.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

(With helpful input from Karen)

"Entitlements"

 

“Entitlements”

 

Early in my CPE chaplain training the Department Director departed from past practices and added a “perk” to our on-call assignments. Before long, however, we all came to see this as something we deserved. Then in a group session a colleague voiced his dissatisfaction that we weren’t getting what we were “entitled to” when circumstances beyond anyone’s control put the benefit on hold. We had to remind him (and ourselves as well) that this act of kindness was just that and not something that automatically went with the job. My guess is that this scenario has been repeated many times in different contexts.

One of the churches we attended after leaving the pastorate began a ministry of soliciting requests for needed items and services from members of the congregation and community and welcomed donations to fill as many needs as possible. But some people complained when they didn’t receive what they asked for—apparently they saw their request as an entitlement that was to be met. So the next year the church added a disclaimer to the form that there was no guarantee that the items asked for could be provided.

Before casting judgment let’s look inwardly. The Oxford Language Dictionary defines entitlement as “the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment”. My question for God’s people (myself included) is, “Do we feel we’re entitled to receive what we pray for and become offended if God doesn’t give it immediately?” What does God owe us? In short—nothing! But out of His great love, mercy and grace He’s provided us with “…everything we need for life and godliness….” (2 Peter 1:3, emphasis added). And Paul assures us that “…God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, emphasis added).

In the early 20^th century Oswald Chambers wrote the classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest. In his thoughts for May 25 he says, “Whenever our right becomes the guiding factor of our lives, it dulls our spiritual insight…Many of us do not continue to grow spiritually because we prefer to choose on the basis of our rights, instead of relying on God to make the choice for us.” (Emphasis in the original.) This is what led to Lot’s downfall (read his tragic story in Genesis 13-19)—let this serve as a warning to us.

But praise God that we as His people have one great entitlement. In the words of our Lord’s friend and disciple, “…But to all who believed (Jesus) and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12, NLT, emphasis added). This great entitlement is a gift from God—have you asked for and received it?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan