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)

Do You Complain about your Work Out?

Each day when I check in at 24-hour Fitness, the staff will say “Enjoy your workout!” And I laugh to myself because if I thought of it as work, I wouldn't enjoy it; and I'm sure you would hear me complaining about having to go to the gym!

Complaining about one's ‘work’ is universal: 70% of Americans say they feel so unfulfilled, they hate their jobs. Solomon said, “I hated [my work] because everything done here under the sun is meaningless—like chasing the wind” (Eccl. 2:17). But then added, “There is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work; it is the gift of God” (Eccl. 3:13, 12, 22). If we could see our work as divinely purposed, I'm sure it would cut down on the complaining!

Solomon also said, “Without a vision, people perish,” roughly translated, “when we can’t see with God’s eyes, we fall apart.” Jesus saw His work through God’s eyes: “I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4). Paul completed his work with the same satisfaction: “I have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7-8). And wouldn't we all like to say we finished our “workout” (Phil 2:12)—without complaining (Phil 2:14)!

Olympic Marathon Runner Receives the Crown of Life

After writing yesterday about Olympic gold winner David Boudia, a friend sent me the story of born-again Olympic Marathon runner Ryan Hall.  Last year, after finishing as runner-up at the U.S. Half Marathon Championships, he filled out a standard drug testing form and wrote “God” in the space where he was to write the name of his “coach.” When told he had to write in a “real” name, Ryan insisted “God is a ‘real’ person.”  A story about Ryan in the NY Times declared: A Runner’s Belief: God Is His Coach.

In the Olympic marathon on Sunday, Ryan Hall failed to finish the race due to an injured hamstring.  Despite his disappointing performance, Ryan made it clear on Twitter: “God is so good. My circumstances have the possibility of shifting my perception of His goodness but His goodness never changes.”

When I heard Ryan’s story, it occurred to me how much we love ‘happy endings.’ We want the David Boudia’s and Ryan Hall's to win. But the Spirit reminded me it isn’t about “winning” competitions, but about finishing well, about passing God’s tests.  And there is a reward for those who do. The Crown of Life is the prize for those who rejoice, trusting in the goodness of God when faced with disappointments. Ryan Hall is a winner. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test [or, finished his race], he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).

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?

If your life was a movie, would it be worth watching?

While my employment with the Federal government may have been my occupation for 25 years, it was never my avocation. So, on the very first day I was eligible to retire (my 60th birthday), I did. Some well-intentioned friends tried to disuade me—“the economy is not doing well,” they reminded me, “and if you stay a few more years, you will have a bigger pension.” But I was convinced there was a better use of my waning years.  I knew God was re-writing the Script.

I thought of the dramatic, action-filled life of David, who died full of years, confident he had done everything God called him to do—a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). I thought of the suffering and triumph of Paul, who in his last years, said “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful” (2 Tim 4:6 NLT).

Every day of our lives on earth, God has a plan, a script.  Though I am currently investing my time in the lives of my students, I know it is not the final Script.  No doubt there are many new adventures ahead of me. May I remind us all that as we look at the life choices ahead of us that we remember the Jesus is not only the author but the finisher of our life of faith (Heb. 12:2)?  He has already written the Script.  But one day, time will run out, and your life will "flash" before your eyes.  Will it be worth watching?

"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?