| December 29th, 2000 - Where Do We Go From Here? Where do we go from here? Continue plugging away like a slave to the demands of the daily schedule? Tending to the tyranny of the urgent? Putting out the fires of life (the bills, the needs of loved ones, the daily chores, etc.) which tend to intrude upon our lives? Living hand to mouth� dealing with the mundane of physical survival? Fending for the bare necessities of life can be a distraction from what is truly important� the things that are eternal. "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporary; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (II Corinthians 4:18) "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength�" (Isaiah 30:15) On the seventh day God rested from all his works (creation), and provided us with a commandment to follow suit. Keeping the Sabbath day holy (consecrated, set aside for special purpose) meant stopping from all of one�s labors for a time of uninterrupted reflection upon that which really matters. Sometimes, with our busy schedules, it may seem like we are hammering out in stone the time necessary to do this. God honors this practice, and upgrades it for those who have been called to ministry. In fact the requirements are ever more so, as can be readily seen here: "Then the twelve (Apostolic leaders)� said, It�s not prudent that we should leave [the study of] the word of God, and serve tables (tend to some of the physical needs of the members of the church)� But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." (Acts 6: 2-4) These guys saw the greatest necessity to spend even more time in God�s word, and it was not considered irresponsible to delegate others to serve in natural ways. My point here is this: not that we should neglect everyday physical needs and responsibilities, but that there does exist a greater need to shut it out for periods of time in order to attend to this greater spiritual need within us. "Don�t labor for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man (Jesus) shall give unto you: for God the Father has sealed Him (approved Jesus as uniquely incarnate deity)."(John 6: 27) "Slow me down, Lord�" is a prayer I've learned to pray. The prophet Isaiah asks us in so many words, why will you waste all your money on the things that don�t satisfy and why will you work your long life away and still just barely get by? Hey! If you�re thirsty, come to the water, you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Once Jesus turned to the twelve apostles and said, "Will you also leave me?" To which Peter wisely responded, "Lord, You have the words of eternal life! Where else can we go?" This is the answer to the question: "Where do we go from here?" Come, sit down, relax, and feast on God�s goodness before you go on your way. You'll be glad you did! |