At this moment in history, President Obama and the Congress
are deliberating whether to conduct a military strike in Syria. The
President wants to send a message to Assad
that chemical warfare is intolerable. While that may deal with the immediate
issue, arguably it does not touch the ultimate “purpose.” It does not
address the hard question, “What will be its ultimate affect on the Middle East tinderbox?”
The Bible says, “Where there is no vision,
the people run wild” (Prov. 29:18). We can see this clearly in Syria (or in
Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Egypt). But is this not also happening
here in the U.S.? But more to the point, this truism relates to the human heart. God
created us with purpose (Eph. 1:4) and for purpose (Eph. 2:10; Rom. 8:28). As Biblical believers, our lives have purpose and meaning.
When
we live with a view toward God's purposes, our every action follows in harmony with God—we have
peace. But at the moment we lose sight of God's purposes, our thoughts run wild—and so do our actions!
And, instead of peace and harmony, we experience confusion and anxiety. Today, as we observe the world in chaos, let us make sure the peace of God is ruling in our hearts… and we are intent on God's purposes (Col. 3:14; Philip.
2:2).
I am reminded today (Leap Day) how the “earthlings” are trying to keep time from getting away from them. The expression “time flies” is apparently not just an idiom, but a scientific fact. Thus, every four years they attempt to slow it down. In a few weeks, there will be another attempt to tinker with time, as 'they' try to get more sunlight out of a day by turning the clock forward (daylight savings).
Messing with time is not entirely without reason. Who has not wished, when he is going through hard times, he could just speed it up. Or, conversely, when life is sweet, who has not wished he could just stop the clock, and stay there indefinitely. But of course ‘time’ is out of our control, and entirely under God’s. The One who created time uses it very deliberately to accomplish his purposes, e.g., "in the fullness of time, God sent His son" (Gal. 4:4).
By way of time, faith grows in us—by “faith and patience, we receive God’s promises” (Heb. 6:12, 15). I guess you could say that when we submit to God’s work in us, “time is on our side.” Of course that is not easy to believe. It requires faith to trust His timing when it looks like time is running out. Perhaps at those times (hopefully not once every four years), we will need to take a leap of faith.
The other day I was talking to one of my former students, a bright young man full of ambition. But he confesses to wasting a lot of time—video games, TV, Facebook—none of which contribute anything to his life goals. I assured him his situation is not uncommon. Our culture offers us so many empty things with which to occupy ourselves! I call it "loitering."
Did you know that several years after Joshua and Israel had moved into Canaan, there were still seven Tribes who had not yet taken possession of their portions of the Land ? (Josh. 18) So Joshua asked them, "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord has given you?" They were still living like wanderers. Here they stood, on the edge of God’s gift to them, loitering instead of occupying.
Altha and I returned from Guatemala on Friday, two days later than our “planned” arrival. Now I am putting the word “planned” in quotations for a reason. Before we left on our trip, we were strongly led to pray for the Lord’s will to be done—purposefully letting go of any expectations of how things should be.
From beginning to end of our Guatemalan adventure, each day was uniquely and divinely designed to accomplish God’s purposes. There were some circumstances that resulted in our “planned” events being cancelled. From a natural perspective, these might be seen as disappointments. But let me be very clear: in submitting to God’s plans there can be no disappointment. Why?
Your disappointments are directly related to your expectations. Therefore, when you have truly surrendered your personal plans and expectations to HIS, you will not be disappointed. Rather, you will view all circumstances through the eyes of faith, seeing what God sees, understand what He is doing. As a counselor, I know all too well how Christians tend to see these divine interventions as “interruptions,” or worse, “interferences.” Can you see what a difference it will make when you approach each day expecting to be surprised by God’s plans for you—“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). Believing that will make you much more content. (In future postings, I will share with you some of the wonderful divine surprises that God provided during our 11 days in Guatemala.)
When I worked for the Federal government, one of my favorite collateral duties was ‘Trainer.’ Most companies have a budget to hire professional trainers whose programs enhance the quality and productivity in the work place. Though it can be costly, they consider it a good investment in their employees.
In the spiritual realm, through many trying circumstances and stresses, God is training us both for time and eternity (1 Timothy 4:8). Paul calls this God’s “endurance training.” And it is essential if we are to someday “reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12)—literally, then, we are training for reigning.
Also, it will help us to endure—with joy—if we believe God’s training is His investment in us, knowing that His training will result not only in accomplishing HIS eternal plan but will result in OUR eternal reward. (You might call it a ‘win-win.’)
Even Jesus recognized the need for divine training—“He learned obedience through the things He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). The Bible tells us that Jesus’ training was necessary to perfect Him in his humanity so He could realize God’s eternal purpose for Him.
Why should it be any different for you and me?
When I was able to retire from my government job last year, I was excited that I would now have the freedom to do the things I wanted to do. No longer conscripted into some supervisor’s arbitrary assignments, I would set my own schedule, be master of my own time.
Not long into my retirement, however, I realized how foolish my idealized version of “life after employment” was. I soon found myself constrained by circumstances that prevented me from doing what I wanted to do. At first, I was resentful. I was in the middle of writing a book. Surely, it could not be God’s plan to allow circumstances into my life that would interrupt my work for Him. I resisted; and I even refused to give up my right to my freedom. It was mine. I had earned it. I was entitled to it. But gradually, as Holy Spirit broke me of this self-centered vision of my life, I realized these allegedly constraining circumstances were there by God’s design, accomplishing God’s purposes. In fact, they were God’s assignments.
I have learned, and am learning, that God constrains us (prevents us from carrying out our plans!) in order to produce something greater—His Plan! Jesus called this ‘pruning.’ The vinedresser prunes the branch so it may bear more fruit. Unfortunately, we are prone to see this pruning as constraining. But God’s work requires these constraints if we are to mature. And His assignments are anything but arbitrary. They are purposeful. Every assignment is preparation for greater blessing and opportunity, for time and eternity.
(If you want to make God laugh, tell him about YOUR plans!)
Sanctification is not only a separation “from,” but a separation “to.”
I recently had breakfast with a friend who has just been promoted to a position of greater responsibility and opportunity (and prosperity)! He commented that he did not feel he deserved it. Of course, he is right! He does not deserve it, in the sense of God owing him something. The deserving one is God. God deserves it. God deserves the best of us. And when we are separated from our own purpose to serve Him, He is glorified. While my friend is benefiting from this promotion, it is ultimately God who is benefiting: He is at work in my friend’s life to expand His kingdom. “God is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond what you could ask or think, according to the power that works within you (Ephesians 3:20)… because you are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared [for you] before the foundation of the world that you might walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).
The idea of sanctification is to be set apart for God’s intended purposes. (“my” sanctification is not about “me,” but about God accomplishing His purposes.) When God finds someone whose heart is wholly His, He is able to accomplish His will (for the eyes of the Lord move to and fro that He make strongly support those whose heart is completely His—2 Chronicles 16:8). Sanctification means we offer ourselves to God for His absolute ownership, that He may possess us, and employ us for His purposes. It is for God’s purposes that the Bible appeals to us to walk in holiness, because “you are not your own; you are bought with a price and should glorify God in your body which is God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
When we are sanctified, God is glorified.
