The Time of Our Lives

What do you make of the following conversation?

Alice: “How long is forever?”

White Rabbit: “Sometimes, just one second.”
       by Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Time is a challenging concept for those who believe in eternity.  We spend our lives dividing an infinite expanse of time into measureable seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, seasons, years, and on and on, ad infinitum.  We know there is an eternity behind us and before us, so why do we focus on the itty-bitty increments that divide it?  Why am I so upset if I’m even one minute late for an appointment?  Should I be aggravated when I am the one waiting and the doctor still hasn’t seen me 30 minutes after my appointed time?

Is it possible we get the time pressure from Scripture itself?  James, the brother of Jesus, wrote this warning to us:

“For what is your life? It is…a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”  (James 4:14)

Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days carefully….”  Though we are told again and again in the Bible that our existence is an eternal one, we are assailed with the reminder that our earthly time is fleeting. 

The key to understanding time, in the Biblical sense, is to realize the New Testament uses TWO words that are translated “time”.  They are chrónos, which refers to “clock time” or time that is measured; and kairós, that speaks more to an “appointed time” or opportune moment.  Chronos identifies time quantitatively, while Kairos sees time as qualitative.

What’s the difference?  We can personify both words for time by using the story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10:38-42.  Martha was the “busy” sister, fretting about all the things that needed to be done to prepare for a visit by Jesus and his disciples.  Martha operated her life based on chronos, or clock time.  Conversely, Martha’s sister, Mary, saw the opportunity to sit at Jesus’ feet and take in everything that moment in time could offer.  Mary saw time as kairos; a moment to be cherished.

Martha was consumed by the passing of time, while Mary was aware that each moment was to be valued BEFORE it passed.  For those of us whose lives will be spent in eternity, which makes the most sense?  We might as well get used to the idea that there is no chronos in heaven!  EVERY moment there will be a kairos moment. 

Why not practice now?  Can you imagine spending a week or a month with no watch or cell phone to tell you what time it is?  What if you had no calendar to tell you how old you are, and no schedule requiring you to stop doing something you enjoy so you can get to the next meeting or appointment?  It might upset the tidy organization of your days, but I would imagine you’d finally find “the time of your life”.

Just for today, I vow not to look at what the clock says and see what happens….

Jacob

My Feeble Defense of Impatience

We all know the old adage, “Patience is a virtue.”  With that in mind, according to my better half, I am not a virtuous man.  In fact, she has told me straight out that she doesn’t know ANYONE as impatient as I am.  The fact that she loves me anyway is apparently a testament to her grace and not my patience.  So do I have any defense?  Is it OK to become impatient when standing in line at the grocery or sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic?  Doesn’t the Bible say, “See then that you walk…not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time…”  (Ephesians 5:15-16)  That’s why I get so impatient at times – I’m “redeeming the time” while the “fools” in front of me are wanting to waste it!

I could make the argument that the word “patience” in Scripture is simply a choice of translation.  The word can also be translated “persistent”, or “enduring”, or “steadfast”, or perhaps the most accurate, “long-suffering”.  You see, this virtue that qualifies as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 is more than the momentary subduing of my angst at being delayed in my efforts to squeeze productivity out of every moment in the day.  Patience, or long-suffering, isn’t a quality that is subject to instant determination.  It is a virtue that has a time component to verify its presence (or absence).  We don’t determine the presence of “love” or “loyalty” or “endurance” in an instant.  Neither should we pass judgment regarding “patience” so quickly.

Look around you for examples of people who have faced tough, drawn-out difficulties in their lives – those who have faced cancer, or debilitating injury or disease, or tragic permanent loss.  There you will find the evidence for patience or long-suffering.  Those who have lived out the words of James:

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  (James 1:2-4)

When life puts us to the test, how do we handle it?  By leaning, as the old hymn says, on the “Everlasting Arms” of Christ.  Without faith it might be tough to see the end of our journey.  We might be inclined to doubt that life is worth continuing.  But WITH faith in our loving, providential God, we know He holds our future and offers the strength to “endure”, to “persist”, to be “steadfast” in our journey to glorify Him in our lives.  THAT is what we should call patience.

Should I do better when confronted by time-wasting circumstances?  Might I more reasonably tolerate inefficient activity all around me?  Well, I admit I should.  And I’m not sure what to call my frustration other than impatience, though that implies I lack the persistence and endurance to suffer long if that is what God wills.  Though since I’ve never been faced with what so many of you have, the jury is still out for me regarding patience.  So for now, let’s label me an “inefficient time defender”.  It sounds much more exotic than “impatient Christian”.  And isn’t that an oxymoron?

Still in the process of perfecting,

Jacob

Are You Choosing the Right Jesus?

While the title might seem a bit odd if you are a follower of Jesus, the Only Son of the Father, I’m confident it asks a timely question.  I’ll get to the Biblical text in a bit, but first I want to make this point:

Many people today are choosing to follow a Jesus that ISN’T the Jesus found in the New Testament.  The Biblical Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)  Note that He said that He was the only way to God.  Not ONE way, or one of MANY ways, but the ONLY way.  Later in the same chapter, Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commands.” (John 14:15)  He didn’t say TRY to keep them.  Or keep MOST of them.  Or keep them if you AGREE with them! 

Folks today seem to want to pick and choose which parts of the Bible they believe, and in essence, which Jesus they want to follow.  In fact, one denomination recently started a campaign to reach disgruntled church-goers who have a problem with the rigidity of the Bible when interpreted simply and literally.  That church’s campaign states boldly: “The Bible is like GPS: A brilliant guide; All-knowing; Occasionally wrong.”  (Emphasis mine)  The point they hope to make is that the issues we have to deal with today are too complex to trust an old book for answers.  They would advocate letting God speak to you and whatever you think He says is right for you.  In other words, you can have religion and God on your terms, if only you attend the right church! 

On the day Jesus, the Messiah, was crucified, the people of Jerusalem had a choice.  Pilate offered to release one of two prisoners to the people:

So when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Who is it you want me to release for you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Messiah?”…The chief priests and the elders, however, persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to execute Jesus. The governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?”  “Barabbas!” they answered.  Pilate asked them, “What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Messiah?”  They all answered, “Crucify Him!”  (Matthew 27:17-22)

That fateful day, the crowd called for the death of Jesus, the Messiah.  We call Him Jesus, the Son of God, or Jesus, the Christ, or even Jesus, the Son of the Father.  What you may not know, is that the other fellow, the revolutionary that wanted to overthrow Rome, was likely known to all by his full name, Jesus Barabbas.  This full name is supported both by ancient Biblical texts and writings of the early Church leaders.  So isn’t it odd that when Pilate made the request, some texts say he asked, “Do you want me to release Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus the Messiah?” 

Well that’s awfully complicated!  But to make it more so, please realize that the thief’s second name, Bar-Abbas, means “Son of the father”.  So Pilate asked, “Do you want Jesus, son of the father, or Jesus, Son of the Father!”  The crowd opted for the criminal and not the Christ.  They picked the brigand over the Begotten.  They chose the Jesus who would get them what they wanted, instead of the Jesus who could give them what they needed.

You need to make a choice because we all do, one way or the other.  Which Jesus do you want?  Please choose wisely, my friend.

Jacob

Feeling Green?

Hollywood has long had a thing for green.  I’m not talking about the dollars generated by films, but by the subject of those movies.  Kermit the Frog.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or TMNT in today’s world of abbreviated speech.  Green has always been the color of success AND money. But perhaps the most famous green icon today is also the biggest.  And I mean that literally.  The Incredible Hulk.  He’s gotten so famous now we don’t even need to use his first name.  Now he’s just The Hulk. 

Who is this guy?  And I don’t mean who is his alter-ego.  Everyone knows when he’s not Green and Grumpy, he is Bruce Banner.  Marvel, the publisher that made the Hulk famous, says this about him:

"Caught in the blast of gamma radiation, brilliant scientist Bruce Banner is cursed to transform in times of stress into the living engine of destruction known as THE INCREDIBLE HULK."

My take: He is a brilliant man who, when faced with stressful situations, transforms into a destructive humanoid who resembles very little the gentle, thoughtful human being trapped inside the rampaging green monster.  Hmmm.  I’m afraid that sounds too much like me sometimes.  Do you ever have a hard time dealing with pain, injustice, rejection, or other mistreatment and find yourself transforming into an unrecognizable beast?  If so, color yourself green.

Is there a better remedy in the face of stress and calamity?  Because turning green certainly doesn’t work!  How about here:

“If you respond to my warning, then I will pour out my spirit on you and teach you my words.  Since I called out and you refused, extended my hand and no one paid attention, since you neglected all my counsel and did not accept my correction, I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity.  I will mock when terror strikes you…and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when trouble and stress overcome you.”  Proverbs 1:23-27

Doesn’t it seem God always has a plan?  In Proverbs, He warns us that difficult times are coming.  And for all of us, they are!  But notice that God reaches out to us in advance to prepare us for trouble and stress.  God tells us that He will pour out His Spirit on us (no doubt to exercise some control) and teach us, so His Word is a part of everything we do.  Talk about stress relief!  God, the Maker of the Universe, has offered to empower you with His Spirit and fill you with His truth. 

When we filter all the damage done to us by this world, using the Word of God and the Spirit of God as our sifter, we find that calamity and stress don’t create the same response in us.  Instead, we see things through God’s eyes, and that, my brothers and sisters, is godly Wisdom. 

So apparently, the antidote to going all Hulk on the people you love is to be filled with the truth and Spirit of God.  Maybe in the next movie, they can use the words of Scripture to talk the Hulk back into his milder persona, Bruce.  I don’t know if it will work on him, but I know it works on me.  Because like Kermit says, it’s not easy being Green.

Jacob

Second Chances

In golf, it’s called a “Mulligan”.  It’s a second chance to hit a shot correctly; a “do-over”.  Are you getting many Mulligans in your life?  For most of us, when we make a mistake folks aren’t exactly lining up to say, “Go ahead and try again.  Maybe you’ll make the correct life-choice next time!”  “So what if you failed miserably.  I forgive you!  Go back and tee it up and try again!”  If only it worked like that with people.  Gratefully, it does work like that with God.

The roster of those to whom God gave second chances reads like a Who’s Who of Bible champions:  David, who defeated Goliath and then later committed adultery and murder, but still found forgiveness to lead Israel; Mary Magdalene, who was a prostitute who met Jesus and became a dedicated follower of His; and Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul, who was complicit in the murders of early Christians, yet became God’s voice to the Gentiles. 

But I want to focus on a lesser known Mulligan – this one for a young man named, John Mark.  Young and impetuous, John Mark is most likely the fellow described in Mark 14:51-52 who was right in the mix of things when Jesus was arrested just outside the Garden of Gethsemane.  He managed to get his cousin, Barnabas, and Paul to take him along as their assistant when they set out to spread the Gospel of Christ (Acts 12:25).  Unfortunately, they didn’t get very far before John Mark abandoned ship.  He left them high and dry and returned home (Acts 13:13).  Can you just imagine the criticism?  Paul saying to Barnabas, “I told you he wasn’t ready for this.  What a disappointment!  You should have never asked me to bother with someone who just wasn’t ready.” 

Well, Barnabas’ name means “son of encouragement”, so you knew John Mark might get another chance.  Barnabas tried to get Paul to take John Mark along on their next trip, but Paul was stubborn and the disagreement even split up the missionary team.  Paul went one way with his new partner, Silas, and Barnabas took John Mark under his wing and headed out in a different direction.  God has a way of using those who are willing to provide those second chances we need.  Barnabas was that guy for John Mark. 

So is that it?  It’s never that simple or boring with God.  When God gives second chances, they really count for something.  Paul writes later in the New Testament:

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him) (Colossians 4:10)

Well, what have we here?  This is John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, being mentioned by Paul as being present with him.  But where are they?  John Mark is by Paul’s side while he is captive in a Roman prison.  Not bad for a second chance guy.  Still right in the middle of the action.  But there’s more!  There always is with God.  Years later, Paul wrote to Timothy:

Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry.  (2 Timothy 4:11)

We can see the affection Paul has for John Mark.  The young, impetuous boy has become a man – a man of God.  That’s what second chances do for us. 

But beware!  God isn’t like your friends, or your family, or your co-workers.  Perhaps you’re lucky if you have a second-chance character in your life, like Barnabas.  But most folks are like those you’ve encountered.  Easily hurt and not very forgiving.  Easily disappointed and not interested in wasting time trying to build you into the person you could be.  Since you know what doesn’t work, why not try to be a Barnabas for someone that’s broken the rules of life?  See what a difference you can make.  It’s worth it, especially in the eyes of the “God of second chances”.  Because at some point, John Mark put pen to papyrus and wrote the words we revere as the gospel of Mark – the second book of the New Testament.  When you do get a Mulligan, be like John Mark.  Be sure to hit it straight and true.

Jacob

Dress Rehearsal

“I love you.”  “I love you MORE.”  It’s kind of a thing, to say that now, I guess.  Is it really possible in a relationship for one party to actually love the other more?  While you might think so or not, it’s tough to prove.  So God, in His infinite wisdom, knowing that it might be difficult for us to accept that HE loves us MORE, decided to let things play out and He let us watch.  Let’s look at the scene from Genesis 22:

God tested Abraham and said to him…”Take your son,” He said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” 

Wait a minute!  This is Abraham and Isaac.  This wasn’t a kid WITH promise, this was the child OF promise!  Abraham and his wife, Sarah, had to wait until Abe was 100 years old before God fulfilled His promise of providing a son.  And now, just when Isaac was likely in his teenage years, God is asking for Abraham to return him?  I know what you’re thinking if you have had teenagers, and while you may have thought you could kill your 15-year old, God was really serious about it in Isaac’s case.  So back to the story:

So Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took with him …his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance…Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac. In his hand he took the fire and the sacrificial knife, and the two of them walked on together.  Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said…”The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

Great question!  What would you ask if you were in Isaac’s place.  “Uh, Dad, what are we going to offer?”  At this point, I think Isaac realized that since his father is more than 110, he could have dropped the wood and ran, and there’d be no way his dad could catch him!  But Isaac was a dutiful and obedient son.  So he went on.

When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.

OK, this is really going to happen!  But notice that Isaac let it all take place.  He willingly allowed himself to be placed on the wood and offered to God.

But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”…“Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.” 

There you have it.  The Father was going to sacrifice his Son.  For three days as they traveled to Moriah, the Father had been in anguish because his Son had to perish as a sacrifice.  What love the Father had for his Son!  Oh, what love God had for both Abraham and Isaac.  Because here’s the rest of the story:

Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a (sacrifice) in place of his son.

So, did you catch it?  Do you see the picture?  A Father willing to offer His Only Son in sacrifice.  What actually happened in the land of Moriah that day?  A male sheep, crowned with thorns, offered on the wood of sacrifice in place of Isaac, on a mountain specified by God Himself.  In case you didn’t know, the land of Moriah is the area later centered around Jerusalem.  And I have no doubt that all this took place on a mount outside where the holy city would stand.  A place we now call Calvary.

Did the Father need this dress rehearsal to prepare to offer His Only Son for us?  No, but we did.  So we would believe He loves us MORE.

Jacob