Just Could Be…

2 Peter 3:9-14 (NKJV) The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.

We were sure that the trumpet was about to sound and that Jesus was climbing on a white horse and preparing to descend. There was chaos in the Middle East—an explosion of “End-Times” prophecy in the Church—songs, such as Larry Norman’s “I Wish We’d All Been Ready” gaining popularity…surely the Lord was about to come back! I had some church friends who were lamenting the fact that with Christ’s eminent return they would not get to experience marriage or have a family. The “Mr. Naughty” part of my personality suggested that the soon return of Christ was not the only obstacle standing in the way of their future bliss. “OK.” Let me state the obvious…Jesus did not return—most of us got married, had children and are looking at retirement.

That said, just could be that we are living in the Last Days. No bold predictions here. No great prophetic insight. No clear word from the Lord. Not trying to scare people straight. Not even trying to anticipate what is to come. Still, there is this nagging feeling that we are facing difficult times ahead, where Christians will be out of step with the New World Order constructed of political correctness and humanist ideals. I am not of a survivalist mindset, but when they begin to hand out the equivalent of “yellow stars” to those who claim Christ…I might head for the hills.

The Lord has clearly stated why He is waiting to return. He is waiting until that moment when the Gospel has reached every tongue, tribe and nation; and that the maximum amount of people will have been “saved.” It is going to happen…and just could be that it will happen soon. In the meantime, I have a job to complete and a race to run.  I want to have oil in my lamp—my hand to the plow—my eyes on Jesus—becoming less, while He becomes more—loving God, neighbors, family, brothers and sisters in Christ, enemies… Doing my part to hasten His return.

Prayer: “Dear Father, how I long for your return. Through experience I have come to know the truth, that this world is not my home. It is a beautiful place, but is it marred by an oppressive darkness. Until the day that You return, or until I have breathed my last breath, give me the strength to live for You and to build Your Kingdom of light. I sincerely pray, ‘Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’ Amen!”

Words

James 3:1-2 (NKJV)
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

Recently, I have run into quite a large number of God’s sheep who have been on a long sojourn looking for a “new” church. When I build up enough relationship to ask them the difficult question of what motivated them to look for a new place to worship God I generally hear stories of how they were somehow disenfranchised and disillusioned by their previous church experience. Very often the finger is pointed at a pastor. “Yikes!!” As a pastor myself, the first thought in my head is I wonder how many people have been driven away through the years, because of my poor behavior or lack of wisdom. You must understand, I have been the pastor where people left looking for greener pastures. What role did I play in their decision?

James tells us that being a teacher or a spiritual leader in the Church is not a position to be taken lightly! As a teacher/pastor I should expect a stricter judgment…from God. Double “Yikes!!!” I need to ask myself some serious questions: “Am I really called by God to be a spiritual leader?” “What is my responsibility to the people God places under my care?” “Should I have pursued another career?”

Very often the offense that blows someone out the back door deals with things spoken. My mouth has the potential to be a real source of offense and emotional pain. Sometimes I’m just being defensive and reacting to a criticism or unkind word—but, flinging back unkind words is simply fighting fire with fire. If the goal is to burn down the work of God this is a brilliant strategy; however, if building the Kingdom of God is of great worth, time to tame the tongue!

As I honestly look into the mirror I can honestly tell you that this pastor is flawed. Knowing that I shall receive a stricter judgment I pray that I will respond to God’s flock with a much larger dose of mercy and a double load of grace. After-all, all things being equal, God has not given me what I deserve…Bless His Holy Name!

Prayer: Dear Father—I humble myself before You with the knowledge that I have not represented You well. I am the servant who has been forgiven much and so, I should also forgive. May I see people as You see them. May I have a measure of Your compassion and be filled with empathy and a desire to bring healing. Put a guard on my mouth and may the words of my mouth be pleasing unto You. Amen!