Waiting

"But you, dear friends,

by building yourselves up in your most holy faith

and praying in the Holy Spirit,

keep yourselves in God's love

 as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ

to bring you to eternal life."

Jude 20-21

"I'm sorry ma'am, your flight's been cancelled.  I don't have another one going out until tonight at 11 pm."  I looked at my watch.  It was 10 a.m.  I had spent a couple of weeks helping my dad while he was in the hospital recovering from a horrible motorcycle accident which cost him his leg.  Once he was settled into the assisted living facility where he would learn to adapt to his new circumstances, my sister and I went back home to our families;  except my trip would be delayed by a 13-hour layover.

I despise waiting.  It's the unproductive nature of killing time that bothers me and I would rather get right to the activity with no delay.  Unfortunately, life is filled with times of interruptions and hold ups.  In fact, I could look at my whole life as a waiting period, anticipating the time when Jesus will usher me into my eternal home.  Should I just sit around twiddling my thumbs while I wait, or is there something specific I should be doing?

Build Up

The pile of leaves shrunk as the weeks went by.  Stirring it with a rake, I brought the foliage from the bottom of the pile to the top.  Wet, darkened and matted-together clumps appeared almost unrecognizable as the large maple leaves I first placed in a heap at the back of my yard.  I could see the process of decomposition taking place before my eyes.  The once green leaves were being broken down into compost that could later be added to my garden.  

Everything God created moves toward a state of decay.  As a homeowner, I see this principle first-hand in my need to repaint, repair and restore.  Appliances depreciate in their value and breakdown, fences fall apart, and flooring wears out.  

In the same way, my faith naturally fades away if I leave it to it's own devices.  Without any application of effort, attention or exertion, my belief in God falls by the wayside.  It is very easy to get distracted while I wait for my eternal reward and start living for myself instead of to please God.  Just as regular maintenance is important to keeping a home functioning, so I must make a conscious effort to preserve and even grow my faith in God.  (Colossians 2:6-7)

While I am waiting for Jesus to take me home I must focus on developing my faith by striving to follow Him in every facet of my life.

Pray

The call to prayer rang out five times per day drawing the devout to prostate themselves before their god.  Their dedication to this pillar of their faith was clear as men and women loyally devoted time to cleanse themselves, speak the words to glorify their god, recite the Qur'an, bless the Prophet Mohammad and each other while performing specific postures.  Clearly, this ritual is an important part of the Muslim faith.

While followers of Islam use prayer as a kind of custom and routine to help keep their minds on Allah, God expects a different kind of prayer from His people.  Followers of Christ have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.  Instead of simply speaking the right words, the Lord desires my prayers to be personal, driven by an expectation of their effectiveness, and directed by the indwelling Spirit of God.

In the place of a cold, meaningless ritual, then, prayer for a believer is a powerful act that brings about change.  (James 5:16)  It is a weapon to be wielded in the spiritual realm (Ephesians 6:18), and it is a living and active connection to my loving Father in heaven (Zechariah 13:9).

While I am waiting for Jesus to take me home, I must focus on praying in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Keep

While I lived in a foreign country while my husband served in the army there, I was very sensitive to my behavior, making sure I was leaving a good impression of America to those who were watching me.  I thought twice before running a light that was about to turn red, or giving a driver who cut me off a dirty look, or complaining if I didn't like the service in a restaurant:  I didn't want to give my home country a bad name.

As an ambassador for Christ, I have a similar calling as one who is temporarily living in a land that is not my true home.  While I'm here in the world, it is important that I keep in God's love instead of adapting to the worldly ways I'm exposed to or letting my relationship with God become merely a religion. (Titus 2:12-14)  

All of the things I tend to put my time, talent and efforts into will burn in the end; only that which is of kingdom value will remain. (2 Peter 3:11-12)  Why, then, should I invest so much into acquiring material wealth, gaining worldly success, or improving my status?

Instead, it is important that I remember that everything done in the love of God will remain standing in the end; the respectful way I treat all people regardless of position, circumstance or appearance, or my dedication to performing even the most menial tasks to the best of my ability in order to make God look good, or my silent prayers for those who come after me with the intent to bring me down.  

While I am waiting for Jesus to take me home, I must focus on keeping in the love of God.

Twiddling my thumbs while waiting for my doctor's appointment may not be my idea of a good time, but I could look at my whole life as a period of waiting.  While I look forward to the day when I join Jesus in my eternal home, I have a job to do while here.  Part of that calling is to cultivate a strong faith in Christ, pray powerfully in the Spirit of God, and avoid religion and instead remain in God's love.  This is the kind of waiting that is meaningful and purposeful!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can remember my purpose as I wait for my reward.

When do I grin and bear it through this life instead of fully experiencing the love God has for me?

How do my prayers turn ritualistic instead of deep and meaningful?   

Born for a New Life

"We were therefore buried with him

through baptism into death in order that,

just as Christ was raised from the dead

through the glory of the Father,

we too may live a new life."

Romans 6:4

When I was younger, I read a Stephen King novel called, "Pet Sematary."  The characters in this horror story learn of an ancient Micmac burial ground near their home where they foolishly bury their recently deceased pet cat.  The resurrected feline later returns home but is not quite the same: There is an unpleasant odor emanating from her body, her fur is disheveled, she seems to have developed a penchant for killing and tearing about small prey without consuming the flesh and her behavior is just plain strange.  Things go downhill from there.

Although I am not recommending this book or the practices found within, the premise is an interesting one: new life brings new characteristics.  While the change in temperament and personality of the "reborn" cat was disturbing, those that come from a new life through faith in Jesus are positive and godly.

As one who has been born again in Christ, I don't have to live the way I used to live.  Instead, I can live a new life! (John 3:3)

Led by the Spirit

Her life was busy and filled with many church activities.  She hungrily consumed all the Christian literature she could find, seeking to learn all she could about living for God.  Her desire to please Him drove her to say "yes" to every request for help from the church.  Even though her family complained that they missed her and the children cried when she left them with a sitter for the fifth time in a week, she felt the need to do her best for God.

This woman's zeal is misplaced.  Instead of being passionate about her relationship with Christ, she is nearly fanatical about her service for Him.  It is easy to find myself in this same predicament when I replace my devotion to Jesus and a desire to follow Him with a performance-based mentality.

Jesus noticed this same pattern occurring in the church at Ephesus.  He said that while they were very industrious, enduring trouble patiently, standing firm for the truth and enduring patiently, they have forgotten their first love: Christ.  (paraphrased from Revelation 2:1-4)

Jesus is to be the catalyst that drives my life.  As Oswald Chambers reminded, "We are not sent to battle for God, but to be used by God in His battlings.  Are we being more devoted to service than to Jesus Christ?"

If I am motivated by my own conscience, doing what I think I ought to do as a "good Christian," then I have forsaken my first love.

If I seek to do my best for God but leave Him out of the picture, then I have forsaken my first love.

If I am driven by guilt, jumping from activity to activity in order to make up for my sins, then I have forsaken my first love.

If Jesus is the Lord of my life and I aim to worship Him in the way that I live, then I will do only what He puts in my path as I follow Him and freely accept the love He has for me.

My new life in Christ inspires me to turn from my own plans, common sense and rationale, instead following my new lord: Jesus.

Created Anew

I enjoy watching makeover shows, whether it is a house, clothing style or way of life that is being renovated: Watching the old, unattractive, unhealthy stuff being removed and witnessing the transformation to the new is fascinating.  It's great to see how much of an improvement to someone's well-being a change can bring.

When I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, dedicating my life to Him, I undergo a kind of makeover. Instead of using paint, shopping sprees and strenuous exercise, however, God initiates the change supernaturally through His Spirit. (Ephesians 4:22-24)  Although my new creation is from God, I must let go of the old and bring in the new: it doesn't happen automatically.

If I continue in my old way of thinking, giving into worry, lust or deceitful thoughts, I am failing to shed my former skin.  Sin is no longer my only choice: I now have Jesus who will give me power to take captive every thought to glorify God.  (2 Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 4:8)

If I stay in my comfortable former pattern of seeking pleasure by giving in to overeating, worldly entertainment or obsessive social media, I am choosing to stay in my fleshly ways.  These sins need hold me no longer since I have the option of gaining my satisfaction in Jesus. (Psalm 37:4)

If I still make decisions based on what I think is right, using my own understanding, advice from others or selfish ambition to spur me along, I am acting as if I'm my own boss.  This old way is not my only alternative, as I now know the One who holds the blueprint for my life.  (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Instead of living to myself and what makes me happy, I now can take on my new mission; to glorify God by doing the good He has prepared especially for me to do!  (Ephesians 2:10)

My new life in Christ comes with a fresh purpose that brings new meaning to my days.

Knowledgeable in God

I read about an incident where a pastor was asked how he came to know God.  He said, "Son, I was driving down the road one day and heard birds chirping, and I knew then, I knew God." (from Share Jesus Without Fear by William Fay, pg 103)

While nature does give us insight into God's presence and character, it is not the same as actually getting to know Him personally through faith in Jesus Christ.  When I belong to Him through faith, I acquire a desire to know Him better.  The basics of my faith, drives me forward into His kingdom where I learn to live in a way that honors God.

When circumstances seem impossible as the bills mount, relationships crumble and grief threatens to engulf, I can live joyfully due to the hope I have in my God who is able.  All resources are at His disposal, no heart is too hard for Him to soften and comfort is His specialty. (Psalm 50:10, Psalm 51:10-12, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

When affliction comes, bringing with it fear and uncertainty, I will find courage at my disposal to move forward as I remember the fruit of persecution. (Hebrews 10:32-36, Romans 5:3-5)  From this suffering comes patient and unswerving endurance, maturity of character, and hope in eternity.  These are benefits gained nowhere else but in the school of difficulties.

For the times when I feel like giving up, I will stand firm in prayer, witnessing the hand of God as He moves in response to my pleas.  My faith grows as I see the ways He comes through, consistently meeting my needs and answering my prayers. (James 5:16)

My new life in Christ leads to a knowledge of God that brings with it the tools to live a godly life.

Thankfully, the transformation that occurs in my life as I begin anew in Christ is not like what was experienced in Stephen King's thriller.  Instead, I can choose to be led by God's Spirit, take on my new identity and take seriously the knowledge God gives me about His kingdom.  In this way I will truly see how I was born for a new life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will choose to pay attention to God's lead.

When do I go my way, ignoring God's teachings.

How am I doubting in God's ability to provide for my needs?