"Follow Through"

 

“Follow Through”

 

Shortly after moving to Lakeland I joined a bowling league made up of residents and friends of our community. I hadn’t bowled regularly in decades so it took a while to rehone my skills (which were limited to begin with) and achieve a respectable average. Then with the aging process came some physical problems which caused my scores to go south. Recently, though, with friends’ suggestions, I made some adjustments and saw improvement. The biggest change was to follow through after releasing the ball—failure to do so often leads to less than desirable results. The same principle can be applied to golf swings, baseball pitching and basketball shots.

In my first ministry role as a youth pastor the lead pastor spoke to me about my “follow through”. He noticed my tendency not to see my assignments through to completion which often led to mediocre outcomes. With this sage counsel and God’s help I became more aware of this need in my life and over the years I’ve done better at not leaving tasks unfinished.

As I thought about this bowling hint and my pastoral mentor’s observation I saw Paul’s words in Philippians 1:6 in a new light: “(I am) confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Emphasis added). I realized that God started His work in my life when I received Christ as a grade schooler and won’t stop guiding and shaping me until I’m Home with Him. I’m a work of God’s grace (“…By the grace of God I am what I am….”—1 Corinthians 15:10) and He’ll follow through for as long as I live on earth. He hasn’t given up on me and He never will.

We could also say that God followed through with His plan of redemption, His “…eternal purpose….” (Ephesians 3:11), that “(Christ) was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God.” (Romans 4:25, NLT). Just as God didn’t leave His work of creation incomplete (“…The heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.”—Genesis 2:1) and Jesus “…completed the task (His Father) gave (Him) to do.” (John 17:4, PH) we can say with David, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me….” (Psalm 138:8). God is a “follow through” God—may we be “follow through” believers honoring Him.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Visas"

 

“Visas”

 

Churches I’ve attended and pastored have had many missionaries come to share their experiences of the work God called them to do. Some had ministered for decades and others were just starting out and seeking to build prayer and financial support. There were those in the latter category who had applied for visas to enter the countries where they would serve, which was often a slow process and called for patience in waiting on God’s timing.

As a grade schooler I remember a lady who was a nurse whose desire was to go to a nation where health care was almost non-existent. At the time of her visit to my church she was rejoicing because she had received word the previous week that her visa had been granted and she’d soon be on her way to the “field” where she faithfully cared for patients for many years. God recently brought her to mind so I did some research on visas.

A visa is defined as “an official document that allows the bearer to legally enter a foreign country”. Different nations have various policies such as requiring documentation if the traveler is coming from certain countries. Our government has some 80 categories for visas to enter the U.S.—some general areas include athletics, business, work, diplomats, religious work and students. The holders usually have a time limit to legally remain in country which necessitates their leaving for a period before applying for re-entrance.

In a sense our life is like a visa from God for our time on earth. At birth we’re citizens of the nation in which we live, a privilege that lasts until we die or move to another country. But as believers in Christ we’re citizens of His kingdom as well. Paul contrasted the two when he wrote, “…All (Christ’s enemies) think about is this life on earth. But we are citizens of heaven….” (Philippians 3:20-21, NLT). So our “visa” from God assures us that we’ll enter Heaven and live eternally in His presence (“…God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.”—1 Peter 1:4, NLT). In 1919 an unknown songwriter expressed this hope in these words: “This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through, My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue….” where “In (God’s) presence is fullness of joy….” (Psalm 16:11, NKJV).

Heavenly citizenship is offered to “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord….” (Romans 10:13). Have you procured your “heavenly visa” by trusting in Christ?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

 

"Daily Bookends"

 

“Daily Bookends”

 

The use of bookends goes back several centuries to the invention of the printing press in 1453 and the publication of books as we know them today. They were very costly in the 15^th century so it was primarily the well-to-do who purchased them. To hold them in place bookends became popular but they were mostly decorative to display the owners’ wealth. But in 1877 William Barnard patented one that was made of sheet metal and L-shaped so the books were kept from falling over. Because of their practicality and low cost they became commonplace in homes and libraries.

Gradually the term became used symbolically for beginnings and endings, setting parameters and framing periods of significant events. For example, in the Northeast Memorial Day and Labor Day were described as the “bookends” of the summer vacation season. It also describes a poker hand of an ace and ten as the high and low cards. And President Obama once said that his upcoming “State of the Union” address would be a “bookend” to a previous speech. And on TV crime shows a bookend is a frequent murder weapon.

While reading and journaling in the Psalms earlier this year I discovered “daily bookends”. In Psalm 5:3 (NLT) David writes, “Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” So his day began with prayer. And in Psalm 4 (NASB) he says, “Be gracious to me and hear my prayer…In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” (Verses 1,8). As his day had begun in fellowship with God it ended in the same way. So for him prayer formed the “bookends” for each day. I had to ask myself, “What’s my first thought and action at the start of each new day and what are they at its close?” And what about the time between our waking up and drifting into dreamland? Paul’s counsel is to “…pray continually….” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), “…keep on praying….” (Ephesians 6:18) and “Be…faithful in prayer….” (Romans 12:12). In other words, we’re to maintain and attitude of prayer at all times. So let’s fill the time between the “bookends” of each day in communication with our Lord.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"When Humpty Met His Match"

 

“When Humpty Met His Match”

 

“Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men

Couldn’t put Humpty together again.”

 

The first written records of this “nursery rhyme” appeared in late 18^th century England. Its origin is uncertain but some have suggested it goes back to King Richard III (1452-1485) who was killed in battle or the English Civil War (1642-1651) which temporarily ended the monarchy. Later it was used to symbolize the American Revolution and the British attempt to bring its rebellious colony back under its control. In our contemporary vernacular it has come to describe an irreparable negative event, much like unscrambling an egg or putting toothpaste back into a tube, picturing a hopeless situation.

King David faced many struggles in his life, some of his own making and others over which he had little or no control. In Psalm 34 he thanks God for His deliverance from the Philistine King Abimelech and expressed praise for His work in His people: “The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues all that are crushed in spirit.” (Verses 17-18, NLT, emphasis added). While our archenemy seeks “…only to steal and kill and destroy….” Jesus came “…that (we) may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10). So He replaces our hopelessness with His hope.

In “Broken Pieces” I cited words spoken by Monica, an angel appearing in human form on the 1994-2003 series “Touched by an Angel”: “God can put any life back together, but we must give Him the pieces.” So Humpty Dumpty meets his match when God is at work. He “…is able to do immeasurably than all we ask or imagine….” (Ephesians 3:20) but only if we trust Him to rebuild our broken dreams. Remember, “…Nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37, emphasis added).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan