"Taking the Long Look"

 

“Taking the Long Look”

 

During our time of ministry in Hancock, NY (1977-1984) the High School conducted a Baccalaureate Service the Sunday prior to graduation. The four pastors in the village participated each year with responsibilities rotated. One year when I had the privilege of bringing the message I chose the title “Taking the Long Look” using Abraham’s faith described in Hebrews 11:10: “…Abraham’s eyes were looking forward to that city with solid foundations of which God himself is both architect and builder” (Phillips). As I spoke to these young people with most of their lives ahead of them God gave me words of challenge: “Don’t sacrifice your future on the altar of the immediate!” I encouraged them to walk by faith as Abraham did to avoid the instant gratification contemporary culture promotes. Over almost 50 years I’ve lost track of these students but pray for them when God reminds me of my words spoken that evening.

All of us, whether young, middle-aged or (in the words of a gentleman in a church we served) “You’re looking good!” are faced with the options of immediate satisfaction (promoted by Madison Avenue types) or weighing pros and cons before committing to a course of action. God gives us His counsel for this decision-making process: “You can make plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” (Proverbs 19:21). Centuries later our Lord’s brother echoed the same thought in his warning about rash planning: “…You ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” (James 4:15). (Emphasis added in both cases.) And let’s not forget God’s twice repeated words of caution: “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25, NLT).

Years ago Karen sang in a gospel trio with a husband and wife. One of the songs that was often included in their concerts was Gordon Jensen’s “Forever Is a Long, Long Time”, part of which says, “I can’t comprehend forever, Eternity’s beyond my human mind…Heaven’s golden day will last forever And forever is a long, long time.” (Emphasis added). Given that each one will spend eternity (endless life after death) either in God’s presence or absent from Him (“Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.”—Daniel 12:2, emphasis added) it would behoove us to “take the long look” and consider where it will be. In the words of Jesus’ friend, “(God) does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9, NLT). Use this time well—your forever depends on it!

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan