Everything Matters

Author Philip Yancey wrote about a television show he watched about survivors from World War II.  On the show, soldiers talked about how they spent a particular day in the foxhole.  They described it as ordinary... a German tank drove by and they shot at it... they played cards... a few got involved in some firefights... just a typical day.  Later, they learned that they had just participated in one of the most decisive engagements of the war, the Battle of the Bulge.  To them, it didn’t feel decisive... they were doing what they always did.  But because they held down their position...just miles away, their fellow countrymen could take new ground.

Maybe today started out a lot like those soldiers.  You hit the alarm clock, dressed, ate breakfast, and went to work.  Just an ordinary day.   But your day is far from ordinary.  God’s is in this day... and He’s making things happen.  You may not see the big picture...your position may seem inconsequential to you... but have no doubt... you play a critical role on this planet.  What you are doing matters.  You matter.  There are no small responsibilities when it comes to serving God and all of our efforts add up... no matter what we’re doing for Him.

Yancey finishes that chapter with this statement “Great victories are won when ordinary people execute their assigned tasks...”  Winning this world for Christ is a team effort.  Be the best you that you can be, honor God with your words and actions, and remember... everything matters...even the things that seem ordinary.  When we live that out, before long, the victory over the enemy of this world will be complete.  

Living With Purpose

62 year old John Brandrick was given a grim diagnosis.... pancreatic cancer... 6 months to live.  John decided that he was going to go out in style!  He quit his job, stopped paying his mortgage, emptied his savings accounts and sold all that he had.  He lived lavishly... enjoying expensive dining, entertainment, and travel.  Problem is... 6 months passed and Mr. Brandrick’s health remained the same.  No deterioration.  No pain.  A follow-up scan revealed that he didn’t have cancer at all.  He never did.  He had been misdiagnosed.  And while relieved, John now faced financial ruin due to the error.  

John lived carelessly because he feared that he was dying.  Some of us live exactly the opposite... we live carelessly because we feel we’re going to live on earth forever.  We build wealth without being generous... avoid a relationship with God because we think we’ll have the chance later... and spend a majority of our time on things that won’t come with us when our life is over.  If this is you... it’s not too late.   Ask yourself... How would life change if tomorrow were my last day of breath?   What would I tell the people in my life that I hold most dear?  What would I do about my eternity?  Scripture tells us in James 4 that we shouldn’t think we know what tomorrow holds... So why not do those things now?  Today.  Secure your place in Heaven by allowing Christ to lead your life.  Tell those around you how you feel about them.  Invest your money in eternal things through the local church.  Make the choice to live with purpose and intentionality... knowing that life truly begins when we prepare ourselves for what happens when it ends.  

World Changing

Christian author, Lee Strobel, in his book The Case for Faith, talks about a sign on the door of his office.   It’s a picture of two turtles.  One says, “Sometimes I’d like to ask why God allows poverty, famine, and injustice when He could do something about it.”  Next to him, the other turtle replies, “I’m afraid God might ask me the same question.”

So many question God’s motives... and silently they sit and wait on Him to do something about the problems in the world.  They tweet about God’s apathy... and post Instagram photos depicting starving children with the caption “Where’s God?”  All the while, the situation could be that He is waiting for us to act.  Time and time again in scripture, we are told to go out and change the world... to make a difference... to be the salt and light in the darkness.   We are charged to live unselfishly with convicted hearts filled with love and generosity.  We are knitted together to be world-changers not critics... difference-makers and not judges.  And all the while God promises to equip us with opportunity, wisdom, and the right words at the right time without fail.  Let’s commit to spend less time complaining about the world and more time living out God’s commission for it.  

Live On Purpose

62 year old John Brandrick was given a grim diagnosis.... pancreatic cancer... 6 months to live.  John decided that he was going to go out in style!  He quit his job, stopped paying his mortgage, emptied his savings accounts and sold all that he had.  He lived lavishly... enjoying expensive dining, entertainment, and travel.  Problem is... 6 months passed and Mr. Brandrick’s health remained the same.  No deterioration.  No pain.  A follow-up scan revealed that he didn’t have cancer at all.  He never did.  He had been misdiagnosed.  And while relieved, John now faced financial ruin due to the error.  

John lived carelessly because he feared that he was dying.  Some of us live exactly the opposite... we live carelessly because we feel we’re going to live on earth forever.  We build wealth without being generous... avoid a relationship with God because we think we’ll have the chance later... and spend a majority of our time on things that won’t come with us when our life is over.  If this is you... it’s not too late.   Ask yourself... How would life change if tomorrow were my last day of breath?   What would I tell the people in my life that I hold most dear?  What would I do about my eternity?  Scripture tells us in James 4 that we shouldn’t think we know what tomorrow holds... So why not do those things now?  Today?  Secure your place in Heaven by allowing Christ to lead your life.  Tell those around you how you feel about them.  Invest your money in eternal things through the local church.  Make the choice to live with purpose and intentionality... knowing that life truly begins when we prepare ourselves for what happens when it ends.  

Planning Ahead

"I am trembling; you have made me as eager for love as a chariot driver is for battle."  Song of Solomon 6:12

The anticipation of an enjoyable time together...today's verse says it all. You're ready...they're ready...it's going to be an amazing night out on the town. You get picked up only to discover that there is really no plan at all. He's in jeans and a t-shirt. He asks you where you want to eat and what you want to do. He tells you that he meant to plan ahead...but things were just too busy...and...he hopes you understand. He didn't take care of the plans...but he meant to.

He meant to...   She was going to...  But is that enough?

A key to romance is finding what needs to be done and doing it. What does this mean? Actually, it's pretty simple. Good intentions are not enough. When it comes to making that special someone feel important...we must actually do those things that we say we are going to do...

Make the reservations in advance...buy the concert tickets...pack the picnic basket...clean your car...get dressed up... and more! Do what you need to do to create a climate of romance! Meant-tos and "It's the thought that counts" just don't work. This is especially important in marriages. We think that our spouse will "understand" if we don't get to it and neglect the details of our relationship. A skipped date night here or a slapped-together experience there are never enough. In fact, over time, these missed details and lack of motivation will actually erode trust and intimacy.  

Do you have any "meant-tos" that you've been neglecting with the person you love? When was the last time you fully committed to making your loved one's experience the best it can be? When was the last time you handled ALL the details of a time together.... 

I know you meant-to... It is my hope that you will... Not only today on Valentine's Day but every opportunity you have to build romance, expectation, and trust.  

Traveling Heavy

In 2007, England’s Queen Elizabeth II decided to make a short 6-day visit to the United States.   While most people would pack a couple of suitcases… the queen travelled much heavier.  In fact, it was estimated that her gear weighed in at two to three tons!    What could she possibly have brought that weighed so much?  The list included clothes, a diamond tiara, her gowns, her crown, gifts, paperwork, and up to 50 pairs of white gloves.  In addition, her personal affects included several framed photos of her family, her favorite tea and teapot, large quantities of favorite brand of water, and special medicines that she required.  Planning and packing took eight months. 

All for a six day visit.

But not all royalty travels with such fanfare.  Over 2000 years ago, a little child entered the world that would forever change it.  He would grow up, heal the sick, raise the dead, teach the masses about God’s love, serve those He created, allow Himself to be crucified, and resurrect back to glorious life.  All while maintaining very few possessions, keeping a selectively small circle of close confidantes, and having a low profile.   Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, came out of Heaven that Christmas morning…  not weighed down with stuff… but burdened with the sins of the world.   In a couple of days we will celebrate Christ’s royal arrival… and as we observe Christmas.. let us never forget that Jesus travelled light for a reason.   It was so that He could spend His time intentionally… not worried about bringing everything with him… but making sure He didn’t leave without us.

Merry Christmas!