"Variety"

 

“Variety”

 

In his 1785 poem “The Task” English writer William Cowper said, “Variety is the very spice of life”. (He’s also the author of two great hymns: “There Is a Fountain” and “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”.) The adage has found its way into the vernacular to describe how having diversity and new things makes life more enjoyable.

One TV genre, particularly in its early days, has been “variety shows” in which comedy skits, musical numbers and other artistic forms are featured. Familiar ones hosted by Milton Berle, Ed Sullivan, Arthur Godfrey, Carol Burnett and others provided entertainment for millions but, sadly, they’re now all but extinct. But we can relive these days of yesteryear on YouTube.

Speaking (or writing) of variety, in the New York City area in the 1950’s we had three network TV affiliates and three independent local stations broadcasting mostly sports and movies available to us. Our cable system in Lakeland now offers some 150 options covering almost every category one could imagine. The post-World War II era offered the original Cheerios—now more than 15 variations are marketed by General Mills. On your next supermarket trip check the number of kinds of pasta sauces, tomato products and other commonly purchased items staring at you from the shelves. And let’s not forget Baskin Robbins “31 Flavors” (the company has actually created more than 1400) and eateries ranging from fast food to elegant gourmet restaurants. All these choices complicate our decision making—witness a group of friends’ trying to come up with a consensus on where to go for dinner.

Someone has observed that God loves variety. Think of the world He’s created with mountains, shorelines and other topographical features. How about the myriad of colors of plants? In the words of Solomon, “(God) has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and Paul’s statement that “…God…provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17). And of the Church the Apostle says, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For…you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28, NLT, emphasis added). So let’s appreciate the variety of the body of Christ and rejoice in our common relationship with Him.

 

Grace and Blessings,

Jim McMillan

"Out of My 'Comfort Zone'"

 

“Out of My ‘Comfort Zone’”

 

The term “comfort zone” was coined by Judith Bardwick in her 1991 book Danger in the Comfort Zone which she described as “a state where people feel safe, in control, and experience low stress”. Most of us would rather live and work under such conditions (including yours truly) than in circumstances that call for us to do what we’d rather not since they may call for unwelcome changes.

I went on my first short-term missions trip to Honduras in 2004. Karen had gone on two trips previously (China and Honduras) and a number of people from our Manchester church had traveled to different places to serve in construction, medical clinics, leadership training and other ministries. I’d had a life long interest in missions, albeit from afar, but felt God’s tug to be part of this team even though it was out of my “comfort zone”. When the departure day arrived I was anxious but thought I’d hidden it well. Several days into this new adventure I shared with our team leader that it wouldn’t have taken much for me to get back on the plane and return home. He said he knew that and had been praying for me. His prayers were answered as I went on three other trips over the next several years. It was a joy to see people from other countries and cultures respond positively to the message of Christ and grow in Him.

Since this wake-up call of 20+ years ago Karen and I have been faced with other situations which required us to leave a “comfort zone”: transition from the pastorate to health care chaplaincy, two relocations to new states, becoming part of churches in which we knew no one and traveling to new places, among other changes. These new experiences weren’t always easy for us but God’s always given us “…grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16). And we’ve often found that our fears weren’t to be feared.

The Apostle Paul moved from his “comfort zone” of legalistic Judaism to following, serving and suffering for Christ. But he wrote inspired words of what he’d learned that help us move from our “comfort zone”: “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11,13, emphasis added). Have I learned this? Have you?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

 

"Limitations"

 

“Limitations”

 

When I worked at a camp some 65 years ago the staff members would attend a nearby church when our work schedules permitted. One Sunday we were in the teens’ Sunday School class and speed limits in high school parking lots came up. One of my colleagues observed that the limit at his school was 15 mph which prompted the locals to complain that theirs was 5 mph. Another visitor then said, “Don’t feel bad. We don’t even have a parking lot!” Sometimes we don’t recognize and appreciate our good fortune.

When driving from home to the church office in Manchester there was an oddly configured and dangerous intersection. Leading up to it there were four signs saying, “No left turn”. Apparently about half the drivers couldn’t read too well because they made the left turn anyway (I witnessed several near collisions). And Interstate 4 runs through Lakeland with a posted speed limit of 70 mph which is rarely observed (guilty as charged). These three examples show how our human natures balk at limitations.

Most laws on government books impose some kind of restrictions which are intended for the public’s good. I have a couple of physical issues which keep me from eating certain foods, most of which I don’t like anyway! But even though we might grudgingly admit they’re for our and others’ good we still don’t like to have our “liberties” curtailed.

Have we ever felt this way about God’s commands? Do we view His directives as impeding enjoyment in our lives? In reality they’re anything but this. The Lord’s friend and apostle tells us, “This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3, emphasis added). Since obedience appears to be God’s “Love Language” (see the previous posting by this title) it’s a practice we need to take seriously (“If you love me, you will obey what I command.”—John 14:15). Truth be told, God’s “limitations” provide freedom to serve Him (1 Peter 2:16) and others (Galatians 5:13). Will we/I see them in this way and be thankful?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"The Rest of My Story"

 

“The Rest of My Story”

 

Famed newscaster Paul Harvey (1918-2009) was a fixture on ABC News Radio for almost six decades. His weekday morning and mid-day reports reached millions of listeners. His style was unique as he used humor, satire, irony and other approaches to make boring stories interesting. He’s perhaps best known for his “The Rest of the Story” segments in which he cited well-known and obscure events and their surprising outcomes. Many have tried to imitate him (my feeble attempt can be seen in an early posting “Never Too Late”) but his incomparable manner will likely never be duplicated.

As I’ve read through the Bible I’ve seen incidents in the lives of many people and wish I knew “the rest of their story”. I’ve written several narrations of possible scenarios of people’s lives after meeting Jesus but have no way of knowing if they represent the way they lived out their days. Here are a few of many possible life stories I’ve thought about over the years:

*The woman Jesus defended against a biased group of men and whom He told, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11). Did she? Or did she go back to her old ways?

*The anonymous innkeeper in Bethlehem who had no room available for Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:7) but provided shelter in the only way he could. Did he later learn the identity of the One born in his stable or cave? Did he believe in Him?

*The invalid who was brought to Jesus by four friends at the cost of someone’s roof, was forgiven by Him and was told to “…take your mat and go home.” (Mark 2:1-12). He walked away healed but Scripture is silent as to his future relationship with Jesus.

*The Magi who followed a strange astronomical sight to where Jesus was, bowed in worship before Him and presented Him with valuable gifts (Matthew 2:1-12). Did they return home as believers in Him? God’s Word doesn’t tell us.

I must ask myself, Can I trust God with the rest of my story? Stuart Hamblen wrote in his 1952 song “Known Only to Him”, “I don’t know what the future holds But I know who holds the future. It’s a secret known only to Him.” More importantly, will I trust God for the rest of my story? Will you?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan