"Finished"

 

“Finished”

 

In 1822 Franz Schubert composed his “Symphony #8”, better known as his “Unfinished Symphony” since it’s comprised of only two movements instead of the usual four or five. (His reason for not continuing this great work remains a mystery.) In 1892 construction began on the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City, one of the world’s largest church buildings (it can accommodate 8600 people and has a floor area of 121,000 square feet) but to this day it’s never be completed due to style changes, work interruptions and unstable ground and has been nicknamed “Saint John the Unfinished”. During a tour of Italy Karen and I saw the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna of which construction was started in 1390 but remains yet unfinished. (I shudder to think of how many projects I’ve undertaken that are uncompleted!)

Shortly after beginning His earthly ministry Jesus told His disciples, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34). Just before His betrayal and arrest He said to His Father, “I have finished the work You have given Me to do.” (John 17:4, NKJV). And from the cross He cried out, “It is finished.” (in Greek “It has been completed.”) (John 19:30, emphasis added throughout). Jesus came to earth to “…give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) and He fulfilled this mission by His sacrificial death which met God’s requirements (“…You were redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”--1 Peter 1:18-19). And His Father showed acceptance of His Son’s sacrifice “…by his resurrection from the dead….” (Romans 1:4). And as we celebrate this great truth on which our faith rests this month we can cry out as Jesus did, “It has been completed!”

But that’s not the end of His work. While Christ’s death took care of the sin problem “…once for all.” (Hebrews 10:12) He never stops working in His people until He calls them to be with Himself (“…he 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 we’re always works in progress as we “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18). So in my unfinished life may I pray with the psalmist, “Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.” (Psalm 119:33).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"The Jesus Nut"

 

“The Jesus Nut”

  

Recently I read a devotional article in which the writer referred to the “Jesus Nut” (not to be confused with the sometimes derogatory term “Jesus Freak”) on a helicopter. I did some research on my old friend Google and found that the term was likely coined by GI’s in Vietnam, the first combat zone in which choppers were used extensively to transport soldiers. Since it’s the mechanism that holds the main rotor in place legend has it that its failure meant the aircraft would crash and its occupants’ only recourse was to “pray to Jesus”.

Rather than plow through the technical jargon on line which I probably wouldn’t understand I talked with a friend who’s a retired Navy helicopter pilot. He explained that it was the most important part of the machine and was carefully inspected by the flight and ground crews before lifting off. Depending on the size, type and age of the aircraft the unit could be a single nut or a more sophisticated assembly. My friend knows of no instance where the “Jesus Nut” failed while in flight, a testimony to the diligence of the maintenance team. (This also brought to mind the title of a great hymn from 1927, “Jesus Never Fails”.)

As I thought about the great significance of the “Jesus Nut” a number of applications came to mind. First, Paul writes in Colossians 1:17 that “(Christ) is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” “Before” denotes “priority in importance” so as the “Jesus Nut” holds the helicopter parts together Jesus keeps the universe in order. Next, Jesus is called “the chief cornerstone” in Ephesians 2:20. As such He keeps all creation in balance as the “Jesus Nut” does on a chopper.  Then, too, as this key element is closely inspected before flying we have the example of the Berean believers who “…examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11). Finally, even though the “Jesus Nut” is the key component in any helicopter it can’t do its job without many other functioning parts’ doing what they’re intended to do. Paul describes how Jesus designed His church to fulfill its mission in this way: “Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” (Ephesians 4:16, NLT).

Since we live near a hospital with a trauma unit and a commercial airport the sound of helicopters is a common occurrence to us. Knowing about the “Jesus Nut” made me realize its crucial place in aviation safety and Jesus’ place in the universe and His church. I’m thankful for both—and I hope you are too.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Taking Inventory"

 

“Taking Inventory”

 

One of my responsibilities of my work as a Sears’ warehouseman during the 1960’s was being a part of the annual inventory team. This was a multi-step process including pre-listing stock in each aisle, making a note when items were removed, the physical counting, recounting for accuracy, submitting the completed forms to the office to be recorded on file cards and setting damaged or discontinued merchandise aside for sale at greatly reduced prices. Little did I know then that years later I’d work as a retail inventory auditor but by that time sophisticated calculators and computer systems had been developed making the counting procedures quicker and more accurate. Store personnel relied heavily on our work to determine sales trends, loss levels and future ordering.

A few months ago my Bible reading was in Nehemiah. When he heard of the condition of his beloved Jerusalem he prayed and made himself available to God to do something about it. He secured permission from his employer, King Xerxes, to take a leave of absence to rebuild the city’s walls. He tells us what he did in these words: “…I went out…examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire.” (Nehemiah 2:13). In other words, he took inventory of the conditions. He then challenged the Jewish leaders, “Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem….” (Verse 17) to which they replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” (Verse 18). The remainder of the book relates God’s blessings as the project was completed in 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15).

Around 1000 BC King David prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me, and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalm 139:23-24, NLT). In other words, he invites God to take inventory of his life. Some 1000 years later Paul challenges his readers to “Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups.” (2 Corinthians 13:5, TM, emphasis added). Stated another way, “Take inventory of your life to see if you measure up to God’s expectations and desires.”

Just as regular physical inventories of stock helps businesses operate more efficiently our regular (better yet, daily) inventory of our lives, both God’s and our own, brings us closer to and makes us more effective for Him. Have I taken personal inventory lately? What needs changing? And am I willing to do it?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"When Little Is Much"

 

“When Little Is Much”

 

In 1854 Hudson Taylor arrived in China to bring the gospel message to that needy land. He identified with the nationals by adopting their dress and many of their cultural practices. Despite resistance to his pioneering methods he founded the China Inland Mission which by 1895 had 641 missionaries serving in that vast country. The seeds he and his colleagues planted are likely still bearing fruit despite opposition from the present day government. He is credited by many with the saying, “Little is much when God is in it.”, a faith principle which motivated his work and set an example for those who followed.

Many years ago Pastor and Author John MacArthur observed in a series of cassettes called The Marks of a Successful Church, “Size is irrelevant to God!” He maintained that success in God’s work is marked by faithfully using entrusted resources most productively (“…It is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”—1 Corinthians 4:2). So God has the power to take what we may think of as small or insignificant and multiply its effectiveness many times over. To cite a few biblical examples….

*He used five stones and a sling in the hands of a young man named David to kill Goliath and bring Israel a great victory over the Philistines (1 Samuel 17).

*He used an ox goad (or pointed stick) in Shamgar’s hand to strike down 600 Philistines and provide Israel’s deliverance from bondage (Judges 3:31).

*Our Lord used a young boy’s small lunch to feed a great crowd (John 6:1-13).

*Jesus used a poor widow’s meager offering to show the value of giving all to Him (Luke 21:1-4).

*His brother shows how a small part of our body, the tongue, can provide great good or cause catastrophic damage (James 3:1-12).

*And Paul describes those God uses mightily in His work: the foolish, weak, lowly, despised (1 Corinthians 1:27-28). Why? “…So that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.” (Verse 29, NLT).

An old hymn, “Our Best”, a favorite of my youth group in the days of yore, concludes in this way: “Our talents may be few, These may be small, But unto Him is due Our best, our all.” Are we ready to let God use the little we have to offer to accomplish much for His glory?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan