NOTHING TO SHARE

One of the joys of writing this blog is the occasional comment received from someone who really relates to what I have written. Some are encouraged by my words, others are convicted. Some, I am sure, are mystified, as in “what in the world is he talking about?”. Once, after I had gone a few weeks without posting, a friend asked why I hadn’t shared anything lately. I told him that I was going through a time when I felt I had nothing to share. His response was “you always have something to share.” He is right, I always have something to share, and so do you. Let me explain…

     Our conversation in the “Truth Process” class this week has given me a new perspective on my friend’s comment. We were discussing the devaluation of the institution of marriage in our culture, and I posed the question, “How did this happen? How did it come to pass that marriage is now viewed by some as an outdated tradition?” (It must be so. After all, renowned philosopher, deep thinking actress Cameron Diaz declared marriage a “dying institution.” Ms. Diaz added, “I don’t think we should live our lives in relationships based off old traditions that don’t suit our world any longer.”)1

     When it came up that the divorce statistics aren’t much different among Christians than among the secular culture, the conversation turned to the need for consistent discipleship – that ongoing process of being taught the meaning and application of God’s word. My impression is that many within the body of believers view this as a responsibility of the organized church – that a special program should exist to disciple believers, especially those new to the faith. While I am not opposed to organized, structured discipleship, I believe that there is more to it than that. That’s where you and I come in.

     Would the body of Christ be stronger if each of us was more intentional about reaching out to our fellow believers to offer our support, counsel, encouragement, and wisdom? Wouldn’t it be great if this was happening not because we signed up for the “discipleship committee”, but because we accept the responsibility that comes with being a part of the body?

     I wonder if the condition of Christian marriages would be better if more “seasoned” married women of the church reached out to the younger women, married and unmarried alike, and shared reality with them. Reality is what the word of God says regarding a wife’s role in marriage, and the husband’s responsibilities as well. Reality is what it’s like to actually live it. Would these younger women be better prepared if a sister in the Lord had honestly shared the truth – that marriage is a commitment that requires hard work?

     And would it help if the men of the church reached out to the younger men to share, within the context of a relationship, the same realities? Severe harm is being caused to our culture by the lack of male leadership within marriage. This is occurring both within and without the church, but for those of us within the church, we should know better! Would it help if our younger men were encouraged to view the duty of loving our wives as Christ loved the church as a duty without exceptions? (Ephesians 6:25)

     Please know that I am not suggesting a “let me tell you how it is” lecture. Not at all! This kind of discipleship starts with a cup of coffee or lunch. It continues as we get to know one another on a deeper level and trust forms within the relationship. And then we see how the Spirit leads…

     In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul spoke of the church as “one body, many parts”. He said that “God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” (See 1 Cor 12:15-22)

     I can’t help but think that this kind of interdependent discipleship would help the body of Christ become stronger and more unified, which is desperately needed. But we face a significant challenge – most of us are too busy, and at times, too self-oriented.

     In any given week there are 168 hours – that’s it. There is no way to increase that number, and we cannot “make time” or “find time”, we can only take time. This means that we must take time away from some other activity that is part of what fills up our 168 hours. In some areas we have no choice regarding the use of our time. In others we do, and it is in these areas where we have the opportunity to choose to take the time to reach out to others.

     Now some of you may be think “I have nothing to share.” You always have something to share that will help a fellow believer. You may not know what it is yet, but if you will start by sharing your time, the Lord will lead.

     Have my words “pinged” your conscience? Are you feeling convicted about the people who have come to mind, those people you have been meaning to call? If so, I’ll leave you to deal with your conscience and conviction, while I deal with mine.

     May it be so…


In Christ –


John


Soli Deo Gloria

1 DR. KEITH ABLOW: Cameron Diaz Is Right -- 4 Reasons Why Marriage IS a Dying Institution May 06, 2011 FoxNews.com

SIT DOWN, SHUT UP, AND TRUST GOD

I laughed when he said it. My friend had called me to share with me how once again, God had blessed him and his family. He had become anxious over a situation in which he had to wait for the outcome of an appraisal of the market value of his home. He had a few days when “what ifs” ran through his mind, but when he was notified of the appraised value, it turned out to be far higher than expected. He had called to share the news with me.

I suppose that the comment was in part motivated by the “I ought to know better” frustration of having spent a few days needlessly worried about an outcome over which he had no control. His statement was both amusing and profound. “You know”, he said, “I just have to sit down, shut up, and trust God!”  What wonderful advice.

In my own life there have been more than a few circumstances in which I was worried and anxious about things over which I had no control. I confess that some of these circumstances existed because I had failed to make good choices in areas where I actually had some measure of control over the outcome. Regardless, the truth is that you, my friend and I must remember that trusting in God brings a peace to the heart and mind that is otherwise impossible.

In the 112^th Psalm we read that the righteous man “will have no fear of bad news”, and that “his heart is steadfast.” (v.7) In Isaiah 26 – “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” (v.3).

Is there something happening in your life that is causing you to experience that nagging, anxiety that tugs at your heart and mind? I encourage you to sit quietly before God, and listen to the quiet voice of the Spirit, and rest in Him – the one who created and sustains you.

Just “sit down, shut up, and trust God.”

May it be so…

In Christ –

John

Soli Deo Gloria