How will you Spend your Time this Year?

Last year, I found a testimony on Youtube of a man about my age whose pancreatic cancer had returned after 3 years in remission. I signed up to follow his medical/personal updates on CaringBridge, curious to see how his imminent passing had changed his priorities. But, sadly, he only spoke of his leisure activities, hobbies, and travel—a stark reminder to me of how much people hold on to the things of earth, even as they approach their final days. The Spirit brought to my mind these words: “Number our days [realize the brevity of life]” (Ps. 90:12) so we can “make the most of our time [opportunities]” (Eph. 5:16).

In his book “Nearing Home,” Billy Graham wrote, “God doesn't want us to waste our latter years or spend them in superficial, meaningless pursuits. Instead, He wants us to use them in whatever ways we can to influence those who will come after us. God wants us to finish well.” That has certainly been my and Altha’s intent.  But you don’t have to be in your latter years, or facing death, to pursue God with all of your heart. Spending your time on spiritual pursuits has no age limit. Consider Isaiah’s metaphor: “Why do you spend money [time] for what is not bread [life], and your wages for what does not satisfy?” (55:2)

Nelson Mandela: a Milestone in History

The passing of Nelson Mandela was the last milestone of a man who changed the course of a nation. Was it the influence of his early years of faith in Christ that propelled him to a lifelong strategy of nonviolence and forgiveness? A man of peace? Coincidentally, another who is called a man of peace, Billy Graham, is reportedly failing fast. No less a world-changer than Nelson, I wonder what tribute the world will afford a man whose legacy was preaching Christ to more people than anyone who ever lived. The life of each of these men is a milestone in history.

“Milestones” were used by the Romans to help marathon runners know how far they had come on the race. Inspiringly, Paul characterized our spiritual journey as that of a marathon runner, reminding us that a great cloud of witnesses (Heb. 12:1) ran their race before us, through many hard milestones, and finished well.

I am inspired by any one who can maintain a steady pace over the course of 95 years. Let us remember Paul’s words: “He who began a good work within you will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Phil. 1:6). And what a milestone that will be!

Rest Stops

On Saturday, Altha and I drove down to a little town called San Juan Batista. People go to this otherwise unremarkable town to tour the California Mission built in 1797. It was a quiet peaceful time away from the fast-pace of the Bay Area where such restfulness can be hard to find.

After God created the world, the Bible says, He rested. But not because He was tired. Because He was finished (Heb. 4:10). Therein lies an important characteristic of God. He doesn’t stop and rest until His work is done. And God's work in us is not finished yet. Being human, however, we need to stop and rest along the way.

So like a wise father on a road trip with children in the back seat, crying out, “Are we there yet?” He gives us these much-needed “rest stops.” But as we mature, we learn that no  “rest stop” can satisfy us until, and unless, we have first come to know Jesus as our permanent resting place, no matter how long we have been on the road. “Let us be diligent to enter that rest” (Heb. 4:11).

Finishing with Joy

Many people are starting to think, with joy, about the Holidays. Conversely, for many it's been a hard year, and they are looking forward to its end, with hope for a better one ahead. While looking joyfully to what comes after hard times may be normal, remaining joyful while in them is the measure of true spiritual maturity.

At the end of a life of suffering for Christ, Paul declared, “I have finished the race, with joy, and kept the faith...” (1 Tim. 4:7; Acts 20:24 edited). Recently, I read that, after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, Bill Bright of Campus Crusade wrote a book called, “The Journey Home, Finishing with Joy”—in which he gave testimony to the goodness of God despite pain and suffering he was about to endure in his final days.

You may not be a “St. Paul” or a “Bill Bright” attempting to finish well at the end of your life, but still, your hard times are bringing you to the end of your self (you won't be finished until they do). The question remains, will you be able to say “I kept the faith, finished the race, and counted it pure joy?” (Ja. 1:2)

2012: Are We Running Out of Time?

When I worked for the government, the assignments on my ‘to-do’ list and the documents in my ‘in-basket’ were categorized by due date. Everything was “time sensitive.” The consequence of missing a due date could shut down a government program.

Jesus knew His work on earth was time sensitive—“I must do the works of Him who sent me while it is day because night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). A modern translation might read: “I must quickly carry out the tasks assigned me by the one who sent me.” Without 'organizer' or 'i-phone,' Jesus was able to do everything 'in time,' on-time.  Knowing that He spent each morning alone with His father, I have to wonder, was He receiving His “assignments” for the day?

We should not, however, imagine that Jesus feared running out of time, as you and I might.  Rather, His statement acknowledges that 1) each of us is only given so much time, John 11:9, and 2) our time will end.  And like Jesus, we too have only one brief lifetime to fulfill the ministry God has us called to. Our earthly lives are “time sensitive.” Will we be able to say as He did: “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do” [and right on time!] (John 17:4).

Speaking more globally, someday TIME will run out (literally).  The world will cease to exist as we know it, and TIME will be no more.  Might 2012 be the year the world finally runs out of TIME?

Taking Tests

Yesterday as I drove home from SUM Bible College, I thought about the class of 17 freshmen I had just taught—all full of fresh (is that why they’re called freshmen?) unabashed hope and confidence. I couldn’t help wondering "will they all make it to graduation?" And I'll bet they are wondering too!

Everyone begins any new venture with great confidence. But then it is tested. When commencing any new thing, it is normal to begin with some degree of uncertainty: “did I really hear the Lord?” “Do I have what it takes?” That is where our test of faith begins.

We soon learn that natural enthusiasm will not sustain us; only a confidence that is founded in faith that Jesus will take us to the finish line: “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished” (Phil. 1:6 NLT).

We are told in Hebrews that all the Israelites were delivered from Egypt, all hoping to enter their Canaan. But many dropped out—losing confidence when the testing of their faith began. For this reason, the writer warns: “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that He has promised” (Hebrews 10:36 NLT). To my students who are reading this, may I say, tests are a normal part of the educational process. (Otherwise, how will you know what you have learned!?) But it isn’t school exams that should be your greatest concern. It is the testing of your faith that counts the most. But don't worry.  God won’t fail you. You never really fail God’s tests; you just keep taking them until you pass!

Something's Out of Balance

As I listened last night to President Obama and House Speaker Boehner present their case for how to raise the debt ceiling, I observed how they both used the word “balance.” In this budget battle, the President is pushing for a “balanced” approach (cutting costs and raising revenues) while the Speaker wants a “balanced” budget amendment. Each accuses the other of being “out of balance. “

I remember in the 1980’s when “balance” became the newest buzz-word. It seems the word is having a renaissance. But the former use of the word (a balanced lifestyle) has been amended to include compromise and tolerance—balancing one’s views with that of others, being more accepting and embracing of alternate worldviews and lifestyles. Anyone unwilling to compromise his beliefs is considered intolerant, out of touch, and out of balance.

Defining balance as such, any wholehearted, committed follower of Jesus will be out of balance. Look at Jesus. He was intolerant of hypocrisy. And while he loved sinners, he was uncompromising with sin. Nor was His a balanced lifestyle. He worked long hours, and had short nights, rising early to pray rather than sleep. And He often skipped meals, saying “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34). Jesus determined when to eat and when to abstain, when to work and when to rest according to His Father. He did not seek to live in balance with this world, but to do the will of the Father.

Happy Birthday McDonald’s

Yes, it’s true. McDonald’s opened its first fast food restaurant on this day in 1955. A regular burger was 15 cents. Fifty-six years later, the same burger (well, not the ‘same’ one) is nearly $2. That said, if you are wise about saving money for the future, you are also shrewd enough to know you have to earn enough interest on that money to keep up with inflation. In a half-century, that $2 burger will be $26.

But of course you know I’m not talking about protecting your earthly interests! In God’s economy, whatever you invest in (it’s called sowing) will give you a guaranteed return of at least 30-fold (30, 60, 100 fold, Mark 4:8) which would mean that $2 “hamburger” is now worth $60. In “kingdom” economy, you will always ‘earn’ much more than you invest. “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake shall receive many times as much, and shall inherit eternal life." (Matthew 19:29) As much as the sacrifice involved of divesting yourself of earthly treasures is great, the reward of investing in God’s kingdom is greater.

People my age worry about the future—that they will run out of money before they run out of life! I think we should rather be worried that we will run out of time before we’ve finished investing!

"Now Run Yours"

The movie "Secretariat" was Altha’s and my favorite movie of the year. It chronicles the stunning journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Secretariat’s owner Penny Tweedy, a suburban housewife and mother from Colorado, takes over her ailing father's horse breeding ranch in Virginia and, without experience, turns outs a champion horse.

Against the backdrop of horse racing, this Disney film “Secretariat” provides a metaphoric, awe-inspiring portrait of aspiration and endurance each of us needs in order to run his race. At a particularly desperate and challenging time in her own life, the feisty Penny says "You never know how far you can go unless you run.” And on the night before Secretariat’s final Triple Crown competition, Penny realizes that she has accomplished what she set out to do (produce a champion horse). Aware that she has finished her race, she says to Secretariat: “I have run my race; now run yours.” The next day, to the delight of fans and surprise of critics, the spirited horse won the race in record time, and by 31 lengths.

The Movie’s (admittedly cliché) moral is this: each of us has been designed by God to run his race. The ‘racing’ theme is a fitting one for us. After years of walking with God, Paul wrote, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” And then of himself, Paul says “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (1 Cor. 9:24; 1 Tim. 4:7). Now run yours.

HE CALLS US TO SEE IT THROUGH, by David Wilkerson [edited version]

Christ knew many of his followers would not have what it took to see them through. He knew they would turn back and not finish the race. I believe this is the most tragic condition possible for a believer—to have started out fully intending to lay hold of Christ, to grow into a mature disciple and become more like Jesus and then to drift away. Such a person is the one who laid a foundation and could not finish because he did not first count the cost. (Luke 14:28-30)

I know that many who read this particular message are in the process of pausing or taking a step backward. It may seem like a small step, but it will cause a swift descent away from his love. If this is true of you, realize the Holy Spirit is calling you all the way back—back to repentance, self-denial and surrender. And at this very moment, time is a big factor. If you ever intend to lay hold of Christ, do it now; see it through!

You can read this devotion in its entirety online at: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/devotions/2010/he-calls-us-to-see-it-through

The Runaway General and the Longest Match in Tennis History!

Today I was planning to write about the ‘firing’ of General Stanley McChrystal, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, until I was sidetracked by the record-breaking Wimbledon tennis match between Frenchman Nicolas Mahut and American John Isner (I was glued to the TV yesterday afternoon). I asked myself ‘What do these two compelling stories have in common?’

General McChrystal committed a career-ending mistake by making derisive comments about his commander-in-chief, President Obama. Resignation in hand, he was ‘called on the carpet’ of the Oval Office, and left in shame. Failing to accomplish his mission in Afghanistan, he also failed, more importantly to “finish his race” well (Heb. 12:1-3). Whether it was the stress of leadership, an inability to resolve differences between himself and his civilian bosses—whatever the reason—he didn’t finish well.

Coincidentally, at the exact time of the failure of this great general, comes the inspiring story of two tenacious tennis competitors. Both low-seeded performers, they will be forever known in tennis history as two of its greatest players. It almost doesn’t matter who wins this match. For over 163 games (and still counting—the game isn’t over yet), they have not taken their eye off the ball—they are both winners. Everyone will say they finished well.

The Bible is full of stories of men and women who did not finish well. The Apostle Paul knew this: I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (2 Tim. 4:7). Will we also be able to say we finished well?