TO FILL A LITTLE SPACE

One of Jesus’ commandments, which is so often ignored, exhorts: “Judge not that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:11). The tendency of so many, unfortunately, is not to withhold judgment but, rather, to jump into conclusions, to rush into condemnation, either of people or situations, long before all the facts are in.

Awareness of this longstanding human proclivity may be among the reasons which led Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidic Judaism in the mid 18th century, to warn, “Let us fall into the hands of the Lord but let us not into the hands of man.” Indeed, God is the only One who can judge accurately any individual with the right judgment.

Many years ago I found a plaque with an interesting inscription. It said: “It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt.” How sadly true that so many are too quick in making pronouncements long before they know an issue sufficiently, or have all the necessary data for their conclusions. My advice to such persons is, when you jump into something with both feet, be sure one foot doesn’t go into your mouth! And yet, such is the picture presented by anyone who is too swift in reaching a premature verdict!

If you look for faults in others, you shall surely find them. Likewise, if you search for good in others, it will be there as well. Blaming others for your own sloth or stupidity will never solve any problem; instead, it may ignite a flame where no fire was previously existent.

No relationship between two persons will ever develop or thrive if it is used as a platform to vent the anger and frustration of one individual, on account of unfounded suspicions, and a premature judgmental spirit.

People who believe themselves as always right, will never attract nor develop long-lasting relationships; their impact is minimal or nil! If you so readily question something somebody else says or does, it’s only fair that you also doubt your own conclusions!

Any negative emotions you choose to carry, such as grudges, resentments, an unforgiving spirit, will adversely affect your human relationships, poisoning the stream flowing toward others. You can never justify doing anything wrong just because you do many other things right! It’s better to erase your suspicions quickly once you find them to be baseless! Don’t insist on promoting discord!

In times of difficulty, or in days of relative peace, God wants us to get out of our selves, away from mediocre solutions, giving no heed to easy, negative prescriptions. In this life one will always need to work hard at making things better, because by nature they tend to go the wrong way, bringing damage to many!

Attempt diligently to fulfill God’s expectations and strive to be the mature individual He enables and empowers you to become! Most of the impediments on the road of life are of our own creation. As such, we can also undo them, and provide positive outlets and meaningful pathways leading us to better destinations, while bringing honor to the One worthy of all praise!

All human beings need at least one close relative, or intimate friend, who knows them well, and unto whom they may confide their deepest thoughts and heart intentions. Yet, none of that can ever supercede the total knowledge God has of each of His human creatures.

Indeed, we who are “fearfully and wonderfully made” are known by our Creator in the minutest details of our being, and of our actions which He also closely watches.

Psalm 139 begins with an affirmation of that truth, where the Psalmist was not alluding only to himself but to every fellow human: “O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thoughts afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways” (vv.1-3).

Many other Psalms, prophetic utterances, apostolic pronouncements, along with the teachings of Jesus Himself, point to the same truth: God knows His human creatures well, even to the extent that not one hair can fall from their head without His knowledge and consent. As the author of the epistle to the Hebrews declares, “All things are naked and open before the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do” (4:13).

As 20th century theologian, John H. Leith, puts it: “Every human life is rooted in the intention of God. God thought of us before we were and called us into being.” God knows us by name; He is aware of our every move, good and bad, and He is always attentive to the cries of anyone who honestly and humbly turns to Him. Unto those who through repentance and faith seek His forgiveness and the new life He offers, He also gives a new name, and promises an eternal abode with Him.

It is a liberating thought to realize that the creator and sustainer of the universe is not only mindful of us, but He actually knows us in the most intimate details of our daily existence, and He cares for us deeply.

He even chose to reveal Himself to us as well. He now invites us to have fellowship with Him, to depend on Him for everything, to have free and easy access into His presence, and to anticipate not meager provisions, but an abundant supply for our every need!

With such awareness, our true ambition should entail being found always faithful, and at the right places, with proper attitudes, and with a more obedient disposition to do His will, and bring the glory due unto Him through what we are becoming, and by what we perform in His Name!

George MacDonald, from Scotland, sums it up well: “I would rather be what God chose to make me than the most glorious creature that I could think of; for to have been thought about, born in God’s thought, and then made by God, is the dearest, grandest, and most precious thing in all thinking.”

Psalm 68:6 affirms that God “sets the solitary in families,” and the greatest manifestation of such reality is found in His provision of the universal Church. There, through the ages, He continues to gather all His redeemed, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.

Physical homelessness, unfortunately, has been a reality for a long time in every major metropolis around the world and even in some smaller cities. Mother Teresa of Calcutta. had devoted her best years in caring for the poorest of the poor, many of whom were born in the streets, lived all their life in the streets, and died in the streets. She established a home for the dying to enable several to end their days with a dignity they had never experienced on earth, since birth.

In the spiritual realm, God saves human beings individually while showing His intention that each be nurtured in a Christian congregation for their advancement and growth in faith. That’s why God’s people cherish “the communion of the saints” as affirmed in the Apostles’ Creed.

St. Cyprian, an early Church Father from North Africa, along with other early Christian leaders, affirmed that “one cannot have God as Father who does not have the Church as Mother.” Indeed, it is in her bosom that one is fed and led on in the Christian trajectory set for every disciple en route to maturity.

For that reason, one needs an identifiable spiritual home where to remain under its nurture and discipline, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25). The local church remains a Christian’s visible spiritual habitat on earth, though ultimately it is “in Christ,” “in heavenly places” that God’s redeemed claim as their true dwelling place.

Of all human institutions, the local congregation is to be viewed differently by its members. It is not a club where one pays dues and attends some functions if and when convenient, or visit its location in times of dire personal need. Some consider taking advantage only of the fringe benefits, instead of the more substantive offers always available.

The plight of the physically homeless entails poverty, hunger, lack of shelter and other life necessities. In many ways that condition stemmed from wrong decisions and choices made, leading to more serious consequences which many cannot overcome.

At home, most of its residents find the needed ingredients to grow and thrive in life. The same is available spiritually to those who seek to grow in faith, life, and knowledge of what God has revealed, via the ministrations of a healthy congregation. As the late James Montgomery Boice wrote, “Our true roots are in God. If we will not have God, we are condemned to be vagabonds” i.e. homeless.

As the apostle Paul declared, it is “together with all the saints” (Ephesians 3:19) that one can better grasp all aspects of the faith. And Patrick M. Morley correctly adds that “the best insurance against wrong living is right doctrine.” This reality is best experienced in and through the communion of the saints, not the circulation of the saints - the spiritual drifters - who make themselves victims to spiritual homelessness! One needs one local church as home because it is the repository of the Truth that sets one free!

Recently I re-read a sentence from Horace Bushnell which I had underlined in one of my books, several years ago. His statement is the reminder that “somewhere under the stars God has a job for you to do and nobody else can do it.”

This is true of not just a few, but real of every redeemed child of His. Along with the bestowal of the gift of salvation in and through Christ, God also dispenses spiritual abilities, not to be used for one’s private benefit, but for the building up of His Church. As Jean-Pierre de Caussade had stated in his classic, “The Sacrament of the Present Moment,” “when we walk with God, his will directs us and must replace every other guidance.”

God makes His will known via the specific gifts He individually bestows on everyone to ensure that Christ’s followers discharge His specific assignment to each. And it is through the fulfillment of different duties that God’s work on earth is accomplished. His plan is to utilize those whom He has equipped for a unique task!

Every child of God has been placed on earth to perform some work, even if the audience is of only One, namely, God Himself. Dr. M. Craig Barnes recognized that “the most important thing we do in responding to the call of God is to show up. We don’t have to be certain. We don’t have to be the best. We don’t even have to want to be there.” Yet, in obedience, we’d better be affirmative toward His promptings for only so can we experience genuine satisfaction in the sphere where God has placed us!

With every unique project God assigns to each of His own, there emerge unexpected abilities, unlimited power from His Holy Spirit, and clear direction for its execution. Instead of fatigue and discouragement, God’s work is accomplished “with a minimum of effort and a maximum of effectiveness,” not to mention the untold, personal satisfaction one derives from it!

The late Christoph Blumhardt, from his understanding of Scripture, and through his long years of involvement in Kingdom labors, recognized that “God has work that has to be done in work clothes, not in one’s Sunday best.” In other words, most of the toil the Lord expects of His servants is not limited to Sundays only, nor is it confined to church premises. It is carried out every day of the week, wherever His people are scattered in society.

Christ’s contemporary disciples need to recognize that they are God’s agents on earth, for the salvation and betterment of a broken humanity. To the extent that spiritual gifts are discovered, developed and deployed, God’s work shall be fulfilled and countless lives will be positively impacted, not just for a season but for all eternity!

The clock is ticking fast; precious time is fleeing away! What do you have to show at the end of any day? Before you least expect, your earthly journey will be over. What shall your legacy be? As the old saying still reminds us: “only a life, ’twill soon be past; only what is done for Christ will last!” Thus, keep your priorities straight; don’t neglect your divine assignment! God will daily empower you for every good deed. As Patrick M. Morley challenges, “God will work through you if you offer Him your hands to serve, your mind to think, and your lips to speak.”

Many people dream of reaching a mountain top for the opportunities they anticipate finding there. Yet, they may not realize that the greatest treasures available to them can easily be found near to where they already are, if not inside them and their fellows.

Climbing to a mountain top provides a great experience in the exercise of the discipline of reaching the peak. Once there, it also affords an awesome sight of distant places which can be viewed only from that altitude. Yet, normally that’s it! Once at the top, you can’t move any higher. The same corresponds to much that is buried at sea! You may get to the bottom of the ocean but not beyond that limit!

Before attempting to move farther in your daily routines, you still have other available options, whichever way you turn. At the very top, however, you are stuck, unless you desire to descend from the mountain and return to where you dwelt before.

It is inside and below the earth that gold, diamonds, and other precious items are hidden; it is by digging deeply that you can extract them from the ground, and enhance their value through what you do with them. But these are not the only treasures for you to consider!

It is from where God has already placed you, that you can make a lasting difference in other individual lives you seek to influence, and in the society you attempt to impact through your varied efforts. Your own life also depends on others round about you.

Sir John Marks Templeton, reflected that “the real wealth of a nation does not come from mineral resources but from what lies in the minds and hearts of its people.” With individuals it is also the same: the most valuable treasures of life are not exclusively external to human creatures; they often are found within; they just need to be mined, refined, and utilized for the benefit of many, and for the glory of God.

With such understanding, whoever acts in this fashion is most fortunate indeed! There’s nothing demeaning about residing in a valley, if that is where God has placed you to excel for Him! As Warren W. Wiersbe rightly reflects, “God uses small things to accomplish great purposes.” And wherever He places any of His children, He surrounds them with treasures to be discovered, extracted, and utilized to benefit the human family, and to magnify His great Name!

I’m reminded of a story about a very poor and crippled man, who spent all his adult life as a daily beggar at a road corner in a village of his native country. After his death, the terrain where he had sat as a mendicant was discovered to be rich in fuel. From that site much oil was pumped, generating endless wealth to the land owner. Yet, he lived and died a pauper!

More important to recognize, however, is that the true riches of life are not monetary in nature. They are the family to which you belong, the friendships you develop and cultivate, the people in whom you invest yourself, the knowledge you acquire, the faith you embrace and in which you grow in closeness to God! Indeed, you need not go too far, neither to the depths of the sea, nor too high, in a treasure hunt; your most valuable resources may be found just where you are, as gifts of grace from the Almighty!

A little boy returned home after attending his Sunday School class. He eagerly approached his church-going father with an important question. What he wanted was a definition of a Christian.

His dad gladly elaborated, in some detail, all the attributes a true Christian should manifest by word and deed. When the father was through, the attentive boy had one more question: “Have I ever seen one”?

It is strange and sad that many people are able to define a Christian in word, but cannot demonstrate what that definition entails by their own example!

A Christian is not just a person who attends church activities with regularity, who gives generously of one’s financial resources to support congregational activities and world missions, who participates enthusiastically in many spiritual exercises, or who is able to quote Scripture accurately and profusely! All these things are good and beneficial, but the practice of such factors cannot be equated with the doer being necessarily a Christian.

J. Hudson Taylor was a pioneer missionary in the inland parts of China in the 19th century. That position he held for many, many years! In that setting, he spoke the Chinese language well, dressed himself like the Chinese people of that time and region, manipulated the chopsticks very effectively as he ate the same food Chinese people ate, occupied a domicile like those the Chinese inhabited. And even though he did all that consistently for a long, long time, those activities never made him into a Chinese man; he remained an Englishman till the end of his life!

In like fashion, many people may act like a Christian, may speak and live like a Christian, may have all appearances of being a Christian, and still be devoid of what being a true Christian represents. Unless he or she is “born from above” (John 3), truly regenerated by the Spirit of God, having embraced Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord through repentance and faith, such individual is not a Christian.

Conversion is not a change of labels but a thorough alteration of mindset and conduct. One becomes a child of God not by what such one does and achieves, but by receiving what has already been accomplished by Christ, through His substitutionary death and glorious resurrection.

It is true that “by their fruits you shall know them.” It is equally valid that “they shall know that we are Christians by our love.” Yet, caricatures are possible, though always invalid, and not long lasting!

It is good to be adventurous, boldly attempting new feats, exploring uncharted territory, venturing into places and situations you haven’t seen before. Taking risks leads anyone to an exhilarating life! Don’t fear it! Even a turtle won’t get anywhere unless it sticks its neck out! And so must you!

Yet, it is absolutely necessary that you remain subservient to God, His laws, and His specific guidelines; it’s imperative to be obedient to all divine prescriptions! Be bold in all you attempt, but always within God’s parameters! Moreover, every step you take, and every move you make, must be accomplished in the light of eternity!

As a youngster I read a true account which I’ve never forgotten. It was a cute story about a little girl on a leisure walk with her father. At one point, she noticed some pretty flowers growing at the edge of the road, and she decided to pick some up and take to her mother. A major obstacle, however, was that those flowers were growing on a dangerous incline; she could easily fall into the precipice, if she tried it all alone. Even so, her father gave his consent to pluck the flowers on condition that he would hold her tightly by her other hand.

Our God, likewise, allows His children the liberty to fulfill many things in life. Yet, not completely on their own; they may do it only as long as they remain safely upheld by His mighty hand. In this manner, they will stay secure and lovingly protected in whatever they attempt!

Jesus had warned His early followers: “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). As the Great Shepherd of the sheep, He ever leads His own in paths of righteousness. Therefore, God’s people have the perpetual and the comforting assurance that He will never leave them nor forsake them (Hebrews 13:5).

Therefore, be bold in all you attempt! Never fear taking risks if you are persuaded of God’s approval of that new venture. Wherever you are is a legitimate starting point for something new and exciting in your life. Wherever you are you can find access to the road you must take to go where you need!

Let Christ point the way you must follow, and show the things you are expected to do. In such case, you can safely proceed to the place of greatness and of genuine fulfillment, knowing that such is the only direction He wishes you to traverse.

As a follower of Christ, your attitude should be one of positive expectancy amidst whatever barriers you may encounter along your earthly pilgrimage. If you just look down and around, you may see signs that would keep you from moving. But if you look up, to the brighter side, you shall have greater confidence to move on. The obstacles are not ignored, but neither are they allowed to have a dominant role in your journey!

Just as God accompanied the Israelites throughout their physical wilderness, He shall not abandon you in the emotional and mental deserts you may have to experience while en route to your destination! Don’t fear taking risks! “With God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

Persons are best served who plan their day’s activities. Much more can be accomplished when people organize themselves and operate within that plan. God has given humankind twenty-four hours each new day, which can be divided realistically for maximum achievement.

Bodies and minds need rest for greater productivity the next day. Therefore, it is good that one employs a regular number of hours per night for sleep, preferably encompassing the same number of hours each time.

Once morning arrives, the best thing is to keep moving with a sense of urgency, since once the hours pass, they shall never become available to us again! In order for anyone to benefit from the moments of any new day, the best approach is to have the projected activities outlined in a progressive, ongoing fashion.

Thus, waking up at a pre-planned hour will normally lead one into the bathroom for a quick use of the same. The next half hour, or whatever length of time one determines, before other activities demand attention, the best option is to devote to a time alone with God, through Bible reading, prayer, and the mental preparation for all that lies ahead. This may be followed by bath or breakfast, depending on what preference one chooses for first place.

Realistically, after much or all of the preceding is achieved, a new day may commence. The person has awaken, had a time alone with God, used the shower, had breakfast, got dressed. If physical exercise is part of one’s day, that can be easily incorporated in the day, at the time of one’s choosing.

From whatever angle one begins the day, each hour slot may be filled with the activities projected or planned for that day, which more than likely include one’s daily work, fulfilling the tasks already scheduled.

Even though life is so “daily” it needs not be monotonous if one plans it well. The greatest benefit is that much more is accomplished when the day is planned and organized, than if one just left life to happen.

No one will ever be cheated of the best things life can offer by being organized, by planning even the minutest details of a day’s operation. And due to observing regular sleep hours, one’s mind will always be fresh, rested and creative for extra occurrences which otherwise would not happen. There will be no unduly “huffing and puffing” because things are being performed within the best time-frame, and with extra time to spare in case of emergencies or other unexpected events.

The important detail is to maintain the above consistent, day in, day out. We don’t need to subordinate ourselves to other people’s demands if we keep our own calendar up-to-date and adequately organized for maximum effectiveness. God gave us time to be good stewards of it! Those who do it get ahead, and move into genuine triumph in life “redeeming the time because the days are evil” (Ephesians (5:16).

We cannot give the appearance of being anything other than what we really are. The impressions we give may work out for a while but very quickly people will catch up with who we truly are! We are not what others think we are; we are far from being what God wants us to be; we are not what we think others imagine us to be; we are not who we, ourselves, think we are!

Authenticity reveals the shape and color of who we truly are, for it must be a quality of our individual character. Webster defines the word “authentic” as “conforming to fact and therefore worthy of trust, reliance, or belief.” This is not an impossible goal, especially for a child of God who may count on all His resources to be who and what He desires for us to be. Our daily task is to ascertain in greater depth what God wants us to be and with His help attempt to synchronize our lives with His perfect will. Only consistent contact with His Holy Word will enable us in that!

Nothing short of His design for our life will ever do or satisfy our longings, giving us the tranquility we desperately need in a broken and confusing world. But because we often fail, we need to submit ourselves to an “Extreme Makeover” from God, so our being may realign with His purposes, and we can again be what He wants us to be!

Our productivity for God, our job achievements, our most basic tasks in life, will be adversely affected if we lack authenticity. Who wants to be viewed as a “con” man? Who desires to be considered a fake? Yet, this is precisely who we will appear to be if there’s not a continual striving toward authenticity - matching our walk with our talk!

What we attempt to accomplish for God’s Kingdom can be easily destroyed in a moment, if we don’t watch our conduct to maintain it consistent with divine prescriptions. Lack of authenticity can never be fixed with band-aids, scotch tape, or any other form of patch-up from the outside. No pill can be swallowed to restore it to us. But God’s Truth can and will, not through our quick and occasional browsing our Bibles, but through consistent, well-planned immersion in its teaching.

Authenticity is an inside job, and corrective measures applied toward making it so, can only come from within, out of genuine conviction and a new determination to live by divine standards. If it is ever lost, it may be nearly impossible to recapture it in one’s life, at least with respect to those who interact with us on a regular basis.

Being authentic does not entail “washing dirty clothes” in front of many people. In other words, it does not require our “confessions” to other people in a display of contrition which may not necessarily be fully genuine. Confession is always good for the soul, but only when it is made to God and to a trusted confidant. Honesty and sincerity must be manifested in our attempt to be accountable to God and to others.

Life is truly fulfilling when we know that we are walking in the right path, periodically checking the correct map, making necessary corrections along the way, and recognizing that we are making progress instead of going contrary to the prescribed direction. God is ever aware of what we do. He knows our heart’s intent. People also will notice better and greater things happening in us, which will enable us to regain the impact we desire to have in their lives and in many more!

Insecure individuals suffer from an inability to adapt themselves to a variety of life situations; they avoid anything and anyone unfamiliar to them. By nature, they are often combative as well, when people and situations don’t match their pre-conceived molds.

These personalities literally suspect and dislike a large number of the persons they must interact with. It starts with family, and extends to many others they cannot avoid in society, such as doctors, hairdressers, insurance agents, sales clerks, just to name very few.

Naturally, it is most reasonable that humans should be on guard, to avoid unnecessary intrusions from undesirable manipulators or unscrupulous agents of any kind. But living with suspicion of anyone or anything is more a mark of bondage than a display of the freedom and courage all human creatures can enjoy.

People should carefully choose their battles and fight each one to win. But being isolated from others, or displaying a resistant attitude all the time, will often lead to defeat far more than to genuine conquest! If we cut ourselves from others, we not only miss what others may have to offer us, but we also limit our influence, by depriving them from receiving what we are able to share!

St. Paul in Romans 12:18 urges his readers: “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” One will hardly impact others if suspicious of them; neither will one receive the benefits those persons are capable of providing.

Most of our fears are imaginary, not real. Some people spend more time and energy engaging in fictitious warfare, instead of reserving all their resources to fight and win the real, tangible battles which will occasionally assail them. Avoid adding fuel to any fire, or starting unworthy conflicts.

A life lived in perpetual suspicion is a life half-lived; it is a form of imprisonment instead of “the liberty by which Christ has made us free” (Galatians 5:1); it is unhealthy fear rather than the recognition of Emmanuel’s reality - “God with us.” God’s redeemed are under His perpetual watch and loving care!

Humans are most free when under the grip of the all-powerful, sovereign God of the universe. As an old prayer-hymn entreats: “Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free.” And Isaiah reassures God’s people of all ages, through his address to the Almighty: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (26:3).

The child of God cultivates a peaceful disposition first with the Lord, giving one’s self the security needed to face people and the multiple situations life forces us into. Without Christ people live on a “minus” sign; but His cross is a “plus” sign, for a “plus” life, lived not in fear nor in defeat but “from victory unto victory”!