"Never a Shortage"

 

“Never a Shortage”

 

In the town in which I grew up a local resident owned three small super markets which served the area well. One day while shopping with my mother and brother customers complained that the milk case was empty. The owner realized the regular delivery hadn’t been made so he got on the phone with the distributor and said in no uncertain terms that he expected a delivery within the hour. (As far as I know it was done.) While living in New Hampshire Karen and I once stopped for lunch at an Italian restaurant and when we asked that grated cheese be put on the salad we were told they’d run out of it! (A large grocery store was nearby and apparently no one thought to purchase several cans until the supplier showed up.) Then recently I went to our local post office and found they were out of stamps except for a few with a design I didn’t appreciate. Given the nature of these businesses such oversights seem inexcusable.

Compare these incidents with gifts from God which don’t run short or out:

*His love—“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3).

*His mercy—“…The Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.” (Psalm 100:5, NKJV).

*His grace—“…God is able to make all grace abound to you….” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

*His power—“By his mighty power at work within us, (God) is able to accomplish infinitely more that we would ever dare to ask or hope….” (Ephesians 3:20, NLT).

*His presence—“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5).

*His patience—“(God) is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).

Human errors sometimes inconvenience or disappoint us but “God will supply all that you need from his glorious resources in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, PH). With Him there’s never a shortage of what matters. Remember, “…He is the faithful God….” (Deuteronomy 7:9). Amen!

(Emphasis added throughout.)

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Starting from Scratch"

 

“Starting from Scratch”

 

The term “start from scratch” goes back to 18^th century sporting events in which the starting line was literally scratched in the dirt. It’s come to mean the beginning of some process, often in a job career. (Today the term “entry level job” is more commonly used.) Three examples stand out from my past. When I was in seminary I went from class to change clothes for my warehouse job, usually stopping at McDonald’s for a quick lunch which I ate enroute. A new employee wearing a cap which said, “Training Class” often took my order. In a short time I noted that he’d donned a white hat signifying he’d become a “regular employee” and after 2-3 months he sported a new one: “Manager”. The two hospitals in which I served as a chaplain were led by CEO’s, one of whom had begun as a Ward Clerk and the other in the Transportation Department. Coming up through the ranks gave each of these individuals valuable insights for their career paths.

Unless someone has exceptional skills (or benefits from nepotism) a first job begins at a low level. My father began his business career as an office boy (today often called a “gofer”) and 45 years later he retired as the Senior Senior Life Underwriter. My brother worked summers in the mail room for the same company then was employed in an entry level position after college. 31 years later he retired as an Assistant Vice President. Along the way both learned valuable skills in the industry. Other examples abound, maybe even in your own life.

We all enter God’s family by placing our trust in Christ (“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”—Romans 10:13). This is our start from scratch. From there we enter a process of growth (“…Let us…go on to maturity….”—Hebrews 6:1) through Bible study, prayer, fellowship and service to “…prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up….” (Ephesians 4:12). Paul cited this principle as one of the qualifications for spiritual leadership with a word of caution: “An elder must not be a new Christian, because he might be proud of being chosen so soon, and the Devil will use that pride to make him fall.” (1 Timothy 3:6, NLT). Tragically examples abound when this standard has been ignored.

There are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity--it takes time and effort to do whatever task(s) God has for us. Are we ready to make this commitment to Him?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Of Hurricanes and Tornados"

 

“Of Hurricanes and Tornados”

 

While on a trans-Atlantic cruise in April I read Quiet Strength, the autobiography of Tony Dungy, retired NFL coach and commentator and outspoken follower of Christ. He likened his pro football experience as a player and coach to hurricanes and tornados. Both can be devastating weather events causing loss of life and property but there’s an important difference. Hurricanes develop and move slowly—weather forecasters can identify disturbances and warn the public to prepare for their potential impact days and even weeks ahead to allow time for sandbag placement, building protection and evacuations. By contrast, tornados form and move quickly allowing little or no time to get ready. Both can leave affected areas in ruins.

Dungy’s point was that in his profession they make plans for the upcoming season and even beyond (i.e. for the “hurricanes”) but also have to be alert for the unexpected such as injuries (i.e. for the “tornados”). Being prepared for both increases the chances for success. And his coaching record shows that he managed both well.

In our lives as followers of Christ we know that “hurricanes” and “tornados” will come—in other words, struggles are inevitable. In His last moments before His arrest and the events leading to His crucifixion Jesus assured His disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). So we must anticipate hard times (“…Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”—2 Timothy 3:12) as well as face unexpected and difficult tasks but either way we have God’s promise, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13 5). (Emphasis added throughout.)

Here in Florida tornados are less common than in other parts of our nation but hurricanes are a fact of life. As I write this in mid-July we’re about ¼ through the storm season (June-November) but by God’s grace, “So far, so good!” But officials warn us to be prepared that at any time a tropical event may be brewing. But how can we be ready when out faith is pushed to what seems to be the “breaking point”? By bearing in mind that “No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course that others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed beyond your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, TM). That includes our “hurricanes” and “tornados”! To Him be the praise!

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

 

"Drifting"

 

“Drifting”

 

This past May our church recognized its high school, trade school, college and advanced degree graduates during its Sunday morning services. Youth Pastor Greg brought a challenging message warning these young (and not so young) people as well as the congregation as a whole against drifting, which comes from a loss of power and can cause deviation from a set course. He used as his text Hebrews 2:1: “So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” (NLT),

We’ve likely heard or read about sailors, airmen, soldiers and marines who floated aimlessly on open seas after enemies’ attacks, some for weeks before being rescued. We also have a biblical example in Acts 27-28 of the ship’s carrying Paul and 275 others being caught in a severe storm and drifting hundreds of miles off course before by God’s grace landing on Malta. These picture what can happen to our faith if we fail to heed God’s truth and allow ourselves to be “…tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching, and by the cunning and craftiness of (people) in their deceitful scheming.” (Ephesians 4:14). Instead, “We have this hope (i.e. confidence in God’s presence) as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19).

In 1945 E.E. Hewitt penned a song called “Drifting”, part of which says,

“Drifting carelessly with the tide, Drifting over the waters wide,

With no Captain your course to guide, Drifting over life’s sea…

Drifting on, with no shore in view, Think not skies will be always blue,

Storm and shipwreck will come to you, Drifting over life’s sea….”

And a 1944 song (written during the throes of World War II by Ruth Caye Jones), “In Times Like These”, tells us, “In times like these…you need an anchor; Be very sure…Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock”.

How can we avoid drifting in our lives? By being (in the words of an 1882 hymn by Priscilla J. Owens), “Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.” That’s the stability we all need in the storms of life.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan