What Really Matters

It's funny what we can find important.  In the ad, "the whole world" was watching the unblinking woman, pulling for her to claim the world record for the longest time without blinking.  People react as she survives close calls.  There is an absurd sense that those who watched either won or lost vicariously through this woman's strong effort to keep her eyes open.  Though the woman falls short of her goal, to me there was a satisfying conclusion.  All this media coverage, hoopla, anticipation, and heartbreak was generated over something that in the light of eternity didn't matter one bit.

We can be caught up in so many things that affect our attitudes, emotions, and outlook that are pointless from an eternal perspective.  In rugby, a man who kicks the ball wide of the posts is a failure, but the one who places the ball with downward pressure beyond the try line is a hero.  A man who runs the wrong direction on a gridiron pitch is a laughing stock (Jim Marshall once scored a safety for the 49ers with great enthusiasm).  A man who hits baseballs over the fence fair will make millions more than one who always hits them just foul.  Our lives are full of arbitrary events that can make us laugh, smile, cheer, or get angry with frustration.  It's good for us to step back and look at the big picture:  what does it really matter if my team wins or loses?  Who cares if someone keeps their eyes open for 16 hours without blinking?  What does it matter if I secure the big contract at work?  Does it really matter if I have the office with a better view of the city?  What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?

Isaiah 40:8 reads, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever."  The glory of young men is their strength, but men do not stay young forever.  A day will come when that same man will glory in his silver hair and potbelly!  An athlete who wins a gold medal in the Olympics one year may not even qualify to return four years later.  All-Pro gridiron stars make millions one season, and the next they might be working as a bricklayer.  Our lives are constantly changing, but God and His Word will remain unchanged forever.  God's love, grace, mercy, and justice will always remain the same.  Every year a new Guinness Book of World Records is reprinted because so many changes have occurred.  But God's Word and His promises never change.

Instead of placing our attitudes and affections at the mercy of the ebbing tide of worldly affairs, let our lives be founded upon Jesus Christ.  Those who hear the words of Christ and heed them are compared to a wise man who built His house upon a rock.  When the winds blew, when the rain fell, when his team lost, when the lady blinked, the man who makes Christ his foundation remains steadfast, immovable, always abounding in labour for the glory of God.  Christianity is a life built for eternity.  Only Jesus provides us with a life that really matters!

Choose Godly Influences

I was reminded yesterday how important it is for parents to be ever vigilant concerning what their kids are exposed to.  It is very easy for us to lower our guard.  We might think because of homeschooling, sending kids to a Christian school, or going to church is enough.  Nope!  If you own a TV, a computer connected to the internet, if your kids have mobile phones or Ipods, if your car has windows which allows a child to see out as you drive, if your kids have family, friends, or acquaintances, if you take them to the shops to buy food or clothes, if they read books, magazines, or listen to music, the potential for ungodly influences on your child is a real threat.  The world works tirelessly to indoctrinate our children to accept evil as good.

We send our children to a Christian private school.  One of my sons was selected out of his class and he received an invitation to participate in an extra-curricular course geared to inspire bright kids to be authors, actors, and artists by a professional tutor.  Our son was keen to go, so we decided it would be a great reward for the hard work he has been putting in.  After paying the fees, we received a syllabus for the weekend classes.  It was immediately apparent that this class was unsuitable for our son because of the pagan and New Age practices they would be exposed to.  Now I'm not an "artsy" person.  Maybe I don't understand everything that goes into being an actor or artist.  But I don't even need to read between the lines to recognise what this class would be promoting is contrary to God's Word.

The introduction explained how the class would "tune their creative instruments" and by "...using exercises and games from all over the world we will energize and focus in on our journey over the weekend."  They would learn a vocal "warm up" to use their voices for their advantage, plus a "physical warm up that will awaken the senses and limbs to the creative flow that we will be developing..."  Then it went even further:  the children would be taught about the Ogham alphabet for the purpose of discovering their "own personal ogham poem."  "We will then explore our oghams, finding which sounds, words, physical actions, images and ideas resonate most within us."  I thought this class was about being an author, actor, and an artist - not an introduction for my son to practice divination through pagan customs and New Age techniques.  Needless to say, after my wife rang the class there is now an opening in a fully-booked course of classes.  So sought after are these courses that we could not transfer our son to an alternate class.  (Our fee was kindly refunded, if you're wondering!)  The school had no idea this class involved these activities, and I wonder if the same could be said of other parents.

Because he will be disappointed, I feel sorry for my son.  On the other hand, I am not sorry at all.  As good as the course sounded at first, it became clear that it stood in complete contrast to the biblical values we desire to uphold in our family.  Had my wife not carefully read the paperwork, we would have sent our son without a thought.  It just showed me again how important it is to know what is being taught at school, what your kids are reading, what music they listen to, what games they play, and who they spend time with.  I am not suggesting that a bubble be created around your children, but embrace teaching moments when you can explain why a class or a movie is not beneficial according to God's righteous standard.  Take time to dialogue with your children, not just "lay down the law."  Once my sons leave my care, I want their lives to be grounded on biblical truth and the teachings of Jesus Christ.  That will only happen if we are responsible to lay a good foundation by bringing our lives into subjection to God's Word.

We can choose to go the world's way, or God's way.  Maybe my son will someday be an incredible actor or artist.  That would be great!  I believe he can be an amazing actor or artist and still honour God with his life.  As Christians, Christ comes first.  Being a Christian may eliminate some acting opportunities, but what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?  Some people are willing to do anything for fame and earthly glory.  My job as a parent is to affirm God's truth, protect my kids from evil influences, and train my children to embrace God's way.  Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Marvelously Helped Until...

The Bible never masks the flaws in people.  It confirms to man what his conscience already knows to be true:  no one is perfect.  Jesus Christ is the only righteous one, the Lamb of God without blemish or spot.  There is no "cult of personality" concerning the kings, prophets, and others who placed their faith in God.  The Bible reveals weakness, foolish choices, sin, and pride.  It shows us that although we can have our sins cleansed through faith and repentance in Jesus by grace, we still live in a body of flesh.  The potential for wandering from God is real for us all.

Take the case of King Uzziah, for instance.  His fifty-two year reign in Judah taken as a single body of work was good.  He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD (2 Chron. 26:4).  2 Chronicles 26:5 reads, "He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper."  God made Uzziah to prosper as long as he sought the LORD.  God helped Uzziah defeat the Philistines and the Arabians (2 Chron. 26:7).  King Uzziah was given a great reputation and became well established.  He strengthened his defenses, dug wells, planted vineyards, and had an army with quality weapons and armour.  The Bible says they "...made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy." (2 Chron. 26:13)  2 Chronicles 26:15 tells us, "And he made devices in Jerusalem, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and large stones. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong."  King Uzziah was helped by God, Zechariah, his army, servants, workers, and skillful inventors.  He was wonderfully helped until he became strong.  The strength and might of Uzziah would lead to his downfall.

The Bible doesn't just show us his smiling face like in some propaganda posters of government leaders, where everyone is smiling and happy.  It paints the picture of a real man.  Because he was flawed, Uzziah is someone I and all other flawed people can identify with.   2 Chronicles 26:16 continues:  "But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense."  King Uzziah transgressed by performing the role of a priest in violation of the Law.  When he was confronted by Azariah the high priest and 80 valiant priests who opposed him, Uzziah was angry.  He was a mighty king.  He would not be corrected by another man!  It was pride in his heart which lifted him up that led to disgrace.

As Uzziah fumed with rage any would oppose him, God struck him with leprosy on his forehead.  He would not be corrected by men, so God chastened him.  God showed grace in not striking Uzziah dead immediately for his sin!  Uzziah fled from the altar of incense and lived the rest of his days in solitude until his death.  Was God's hand shortened that He could not restore Uzziah's health as He had Miriam and Namaan the Syrian?  No.  We do not read of Uzziah repenting or seeking healing from God.  He was not buried with the kings, but in a field of the kings because of his leprosy.  Instead of being known as "the man God marvelously helped," in death he was "Uzziah the leper."  We live in a world that defines us with our faults, but God views us on account of our faith.  If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Even though we receive this forgiveness, there are often still consequences of sin to be dealt with.

What a great exhortation for humility we see here!  Paul learned that when he was weak, then he was strong.  He was not strong in himself, but in his weakness God was able to strengthen Him wonderfully.  We don't need to try to create an impeccable persona, or pretend we are without faults.  Our call is to repent and seek to honour God continually in faith.  God loves us because of His grace and goodness.  He chastens and corrects those whom He loves.  He has sent us the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower us to live for His glory.  Instead of being lifted up with pride, may we be humble and thankful.  Let us live in such a way that the "until" is stricken from our lives so God is free to marvelously help!

Owner or Go-fer?

My dad is a carpenter.  From a young age I was taught to distinguish between different tools.  Almost every time I accompanied my dad on a work project, he would ask me to fetch a tool.  I learned very early that it would not be good to return to him with the wrong tool or with no tool at all because I didn't look well enough.  He would say something like, "In the back of my truck, in my shoulder box, under the tray, there is a set of Channellocks."  Dad always knew where his tools where.  If for some reason I couldn't immediately find the tool, I would double and triple check that it wasn't there.  I hated it when I couldn't find a tool that my dad would immediately find!  I became a pretty savvy go-fer!  He needed a tool, and I would go-fer it!

This morning I was reminded of a acquaintance I knew as a youth.  When the families of the church would gather together for a work day, there was one boy who was unlike all the rest.  At eight years old, he had his own leather tool belt, hand tools, tape measure, and extension cord!  While I was spending my money on action figures and baseball cards, this boy was always saving up for a new tool.  Me and my friends would scurry off into the bush to play, while this boy was only interested in working.  What a strange kid, I thought to myself.  Our dads already have tools!  Why should we use our money to buy our own tools?  I was content to be a go-fer, but this kid wanted to be in the middle of the action with the tools he owned.

In our Christian life, a choice is placed before us.  We can choose to occupy ourselves with godly labours and works, or we can pursue the passing pleasures of this life.  God has given us the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  2 Timothy 2:15 reads, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  There is a difference between owning your tools and being a go-fer.  Most of the tools I carried I never owned.  I knew what they were called, I recognised them, and carried them in my hands.  But I never actually did any work with them.  God did not provide us the doctrines of His Word so we could be familiar with them, but for us to take them to heart.  God owns us, and He wants us to believe Him.  God is worthy to be believed and trusted.  He did not give us words for the sole purpose of memorisation, but to renew our minds, work in our hearts, and be lived out according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Tools are most useful when used for their designed purpose.  A hammer may be a decent paperweight, but it is designed to drive nails.  We ought to use the scriptures not for our ends, but for the glory of God.  God's word is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.  The Sword of the Spirit is only discerned and properly wielded through the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Ecclesiastes 12:10-11 reads, "The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright--words of truth. ¹¹ The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd."  If men can utter wise sayings, how much wiser still is the God who has become for us wisdom?  Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, and all He says is truth.  Let us seek to "own" His truth even as Christ owns us, having purchased us with His own shed blood.