Tuning the instruments

Posted on December 1, 2012 by glenn

One of my many hobbies is music. I am fond of old time music and bluegrass music in particular. I have been playing music since I was about 7 years old and play several instruments including the guitar, mandolin and fiddle. I play by ear which means I do not read music. I just play what I hear which is very common among old time and bluegrass pickers.

Occasionally it is necessary to tune my instruments. It may be that I put new strings on or the instrument is just not in tune. For whatever reason I just have to tune my instrument. The guitar has 6 strings, the mandolin has 8 strings and the fiddle has 4 strings, so they obviously are all different.

Let’s suppose I tune the guitar by ear. And when I finish it is perfectly in tune with itself. The sound is really nice. All 6 strings are in tune. Now later I pick up my mandolin and tune it perfectly. The mandolin sound is very sweet and pleasing because it is in tune. And later the same scenario occurs with my fiddle. So all three instruments are in tune with themselves and played individually they sound very pleasant.

Now both my two sons also play music. Just today they both came to my house and the three of us sat down and played these instruments. I know of few things that are more fulfilling for me than for my two sons to play music with me. This love of music is a bond that I enjoyed with my father, now enjoy with my sons and hope to enjoy with my grandchildren one day. A musical legacy across generations!

Suppose I had the three instruments in perfect tune as noted above when they came to play today. Yet when the three of us sat down to play together the sound was horrible. All the instruments were in perfect tune with themselves, but together the sound was very bad. So what is the problem? None of the three instruments were in tune with each other. You see it is not enough to be in tune with itself. They have to be in tune with each other.

Herein lies the problem. There has to be a standard. Now I don’t claim to understand all there is to know about the following. But when something vibrates at a speed of 440 Hz, it will produce a standard A note as the sound. And each note has a certain number of vibrations. The key point is there is a standard.

For my three instruments to sound right they must be tuned to the standard. And if this is done they can be played with any instrument such as the piano, horns, etc. and they will all be in tune. Because they are all in standard tuning.

There is so much disagreement and confusion in the religious world today. At the risk of oversimplifying the matter I will say it is because the religious world does not abide by the standard.

If we give credence to our feelings or what a loved one believed or what the majority of the people believe or what is on the best seller list this month, etc. all of this will lead to much disagreement. And it may make perfect sense to one just as the instrument tuned to itself may sound good alone. But until one’s ideas and opinions are brought in line according to the standard, everybody’s feelings, beliefs, and thoughts are just as good as the next person.

It doesn’t matter what I say. Your thoughts are as good as mine unless we are tuned to the standard. So what is the standard? For us to have any chance of agreeing on this we must first agree that the Bible is the inspired word of GOD. And I would say the complete inspired word of GOD. There has been no more revelation and will be no more revelation since the Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation. If we agree on this then we have common ground on which to work and we may proceed.

Jesus said in John 17:17 “Sanctify them through your truth, your word is truth.”

So the word that is preserved for us in scripture is the standard. If we are tuning ourselves spiritually by the standard we will be in harmony with one another. That is the only way we can be. Let us be in the word, not depending on others to show us the way, not depending on preachers to tell us the truth, not depending on bestselling authors to lead us spiritually. All these may be well and good but I have to rely on the standard, GOD’S word. And how can I know that without diligent study? How can I know that I am tuned according to the standard if I am not aware of what the standard is?

I have a neat little gadget in my mandolin case. It is a battery operated tuner. I can place it on any of my instruments and it tells me when I get the proper megahertz for each note. So when I tune my guitar to my tuner, then tune my mandolin to my tuner, and finally tune my fiddle to my tuner, they are not only in perfect tune themselves but they are in perfect tune with each other. WHY? Because they are tuned to the standard. I also have a somewhat more primitive means of securing the standard. I have a tuning fork which when struck vibrates at exactly 440 Hz and thus produces the standard A note.

Let us tune ourselves to the spiritual standard and that is none other than GOD’S word. And how can I know that without being a serious student of that word? My eternal reward is resting on this and I have too much riding on this to let other’s opinions determine my beliefs. I have to know that I know that I am in tune with the standard.

I noted initially that one of my hobbies is music. I have other hobbies but they all take a back seat to my love of the study of scripture. May it ever be so.

Posted in unity | Leave a comment

Health

Posted on November 26, 2012 by glenn

Most of my friends know that I am somewhat of a health nut. I have been running all of my life, I am conscious of the things I eat, etc. But there are many things, such as genetics, for which we have no control. However, I have always believed in controlling the things you can. So I drink green tea, eat almonds and walnuts, use olive oil, etc. and try to take care of my health.

Not many people know that I have a degree in health, physical education and recreation. So my interest in health issues began a long time ago. Paul even told Timothy that bodily exercise profits a little (1 Tim 4:8). There you go, it is scriptural! But to continue that verse makes clear Paul was putting exercise in perspective…but godliness is profitable for all things. Health of the body is important but there are more important things.

There is a verse in 3rd John I would like to consider. In verse 2 John states, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and in health, just as your soul prospers.” John’s prayer for Gaius is significant.

The words “just as” come from the Greek word kathos which means to draw a comparison. Gaius’ spiritual health was so good that John prayed that his well-being and physical health would match his spiritual vigor. John doesn’t say I want your spiritual life to be as healthy as your physical health. No, just the opposite in fact. John says I want your physical health to be as good as your spiritual health. What a compliment to Gaius! Would we want the same to be said of us?

John knew of Gaius’ spiritual health. How did he know that? Was it revealed to him miraculously? I don’t think so based on verse 3. Here it is said the brethren brought that testimony about Gaius to John. The brethren knew of Gaius’ strong spiritual health. Can our friends and associates so testify about our spiritual health? Can our friends say that we “walk in the truth” as was said of Gaius? Do we live our lives so that our friends know that about us?

Do we dare pray that our physical health and financial prosperity be proportionate to our spiritual health? What would happen to our bank accounts and our health if they were measured proportionately to our soul’s prosperity?

An additional observation: There is an obvious distinction between soul and body. The comparison is being made about 2 separate things. Health refers to the physical body while the soul refers to our spiritual body. We are more than the physical body. This physical body is just temporary. Our soul is eternal.

GOD is interested in our whole being. Did He not say that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with GOD and man (Luke 2:52)? Those 4 areas comprise the total man. And Paul in the closing remarks to the Thessalonians wished blessings on their whole spirit, soul and body (1 Thes 5:23).

I am interested in my physical health. I want to take care of my physical body so that I may be of service during my time on earth. BUT that is not what is most important to me. Because no matter how much I try, my body will wear out. My time here on earth will conclude. The most important thing for me is what happens after that. Have I nurtured my spiritual state so that my eternity will be spent with the redeemed?

I really hope others can say of me, “I pray that you may be in health just as your soul prospers.”

Posted in faith, reflection, service, stewardship, time | Leave a comment

Conic Sections and Scripture

Posted on November 21, 2012 by glenn

I taught math in high school for many years. One of my favorite topics was the study of the conic sections. Basically this is the study of several different type graphs and the equations associated with each. One of the graphs is a parabola. Technically a parabola is a collection of all the points equidistant from a fixed point and a fixed line. A general illustration of this graph is the cable between two towers on a suspension bridge. A three dimensional example is the satellite dish you may have in your yard.

One of the characteristics of the parabola is that it is symmetrical. That simply means one side is the mirror image of the other side. You could hold up a mirror in the middle of the graph and the reflection would be the other side of the graph.

If you read my blogs you know I always bring my writings to the scriptures and spiritual lessons for us. You may be thinking what does the parabola have to do with the bible? Actually there is an English word and several Greek words that are similar to this word parabola. The English word I am thinking about is parable. Before we look at this word let us consider some of the Greek words.

The Greek word parakaleo is found over 100 times in the New Testament. It is made up of 2 words, para and kaleo. Para means by the side of and kaleo means to call out. So the word parakaleo means to call out to someone to come to one’s side. This word is translated exhorted, encouraged, consoled, etc.

To have someone by your side is a source of encouragement. This is the idea behind the word parakaleo. If you have ever been in a situation where you are standing alone you know it is hard. But to have just one other person stand beside you is a great encouragement.

There are many other Greek words with a similar design. Barnabas is usually thought of as the encourager. Acts 4:36 identifies him as the son of encouragement or consolation. The word translated encouragement or consolation is paraklesis. The meaning is calling one to help. Shouldn’t we all aim to be like Barnabas?

The Apostle John uses the word parakletos 4 times in the gospel of John (John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7) and once in the book of 1 John. In the gospel account it is translated the Comforter and refers to the Holy Spirit. I am fond of the account found in 1 John 2:1. Here John writes “And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” We all sin (Romans 3:23) and I am thankful I have Jesus Christ advocating for me before the Father.

Now let us return to the English word parable. Perhaps we have all heard the simple definition of parable being an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. The idea is an earthly illustration thrown beside of (para) the deeper meanings of the spiritual message. Many English words have this idea of para, beside of. Think about paradox, paralegal, parallel, parasite, etc.

The parabola is a curve that is made up of two halves that are mirror images of one another. Two halves that are beside one another. The parable is two stories beside one another illustrating the same truth.

If you remember your high school math you may remember the conic sections. I haven’t figured out how to tie the ellipse and hyperbola into a spiritual lesson yet. More to come….

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Together

Posted on November 15, 2012 by glenn

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalms 133:1

It is a blessing many families enjoy. The family members pretty much all get along. There is harmony. A family get-together usually results in lots of laughter and the telling and retelling of stories passed down through the generations.

Before both my parents passed, my family would gather a couple of times each year. My mom’s house was a gathering spot. When all the children, grandchildren, etc would come in, they would be joined by aunts and uncles and friends. The weekend would be spent playing cards and music and telling family stories that got funnier the more they were told. And laughter….lots of laughter. And food…lots of food. We really didn’t realize what we had.

I was lucky. There was unity in my family. That didn’t mean we all agreed with every single thing that happened. Oh no. But in the big scheme of things we had family harmony. Not all families are so blessed.

The verse from Psalms above is dealing with GOD’S family. It is true of the individual family unit but it is also true of His family at large. Today we think of this in terms of the church. Think of that family gathering. It truly is a blessing there if you can live in harmony.

I am a fan of the Andy Griffith reruns. There is an episode with the choir trying to avoid Barney as they practice. The reason? Because he sings horribly out of tune. I always thought Don Knotts had to be a great actor in order to sing so much out of harmony on purpose. Try that sometime, it is not easy.

The “together” in our verse is defined with the idea of a chorus in unison. Think of how beautiful all the parts of harmony sound when the chorus sings together. All the different parts and all the different voices blend together into what seems a single sound!

To dwell together in unity. All blending different personalities and different parts.

The same idea is conveyed in 1 Corinthians 1: 10. Here Paul by Inspiration says, “Now I plead with you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

Note the emphasis on togetherness. Four times in the passage Paul encourages unity. He says speak the same thing, be no divisions, and be perfectly joined, same mind and same judgment.

What does that look like? It is members who love one another enough to allow each to be different in matters that don’t matter. Petty disagreements are just that, petty. On matters of eternal consequence there can be no disagreement. But otherwise, remember the church is made up of individuals. Let’s allow them to be individuals yet have the same mind, judgment, etc on the really important matters.

I miss my family gatherings. I miss being in a group where I knew I was accepted and loved unconditionally. I miss the good times we used to have when we gathered. I miss hearing my mom tell the stories that I had heard a thousand times. I want my spiritual family to be like that. It should be. GOD wants it to be. Help me to do my part to make it so.

Posted in family, unity | Leave a comment

Who Are You?

Posted on November 13, 2012 by glenn

My Teresa has a paper on our refrigerator titled “Tips for an exceptional, superb, and powerful life.” It is a list of 39 suggestions. Why 39? If I came up with 39 I think I would add one more to make it an even 40. But it is a good list. May I share just one with you today? Number 23 on the list is simple yet profound.

Don’t compare your life to others! You have no idea what their journey has been.

One of the most foolish games that many people play today is the comparison game: How much do I make compared to him? How does my family compare to his? Compare, compare, compare…

If you play the comparison game, rather than living your own life, you will keep changing who you are, based on who everybody else is, thus canceling out your identity and your uniqueness; not playing follow the leader but rather follow the follower, just trying to keep up with everyone else who happen to be doing the same thing.

Real success is not measured in where you are. Real success is measured in how far you have come. Now before you go on stop and let that statement sink in. All of us had a different starting point. So stop the foolish comparison game. The only one you really need to be compared to is yourself and the image and expectation GOD has of you.

2 Corinthians 10:12 says “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”

Comparing themselves to others….in other words they are using the wrong standard, too worried about others.

When my sons were growing up it was a common thing for me to remind them to be proud of the fact that they were who they were. Don’t be like everyone else. You be who you are. You are a Taylor. I am sure it didn’t always “stick” but more times than not they were true to themselves. They were individuals. And now as men, they are leaders more than followers. I am proud of their independence.

GOD expects us to be men. Be true to ourselves. Be who we are. Be who He meant us to be. How can we become who He wants us to be if we keep trying to be someone else? If we keep changing who we are? If we keep comparing ourselves to an imperfect standard?

You can be the best you but you will be a very poor someone else.

When GOD called to Adam, “Adam, where art thou?” it wasn’t because He didn’t know where Adam was. Maybe it was a rhetorical question meant to cause Adam to do some soul searching. Adam where are you in life?

So I say to you. Where are you? Who are you? Are you trying to be someone you are not? Are you trying to follow the masses, which incidentally will cause you to be eternally lost? Where are you in life?

A wise man once explained, that if you constantly measure the “today you” to the “today others” so that the “today others” is the standard instead of the “today unique you” that God created, you will never be who GOD wants you to be.

What does GOD expect of me, today, where I am in life, now, regardless of those around me? After all, they will not be held accountable for my talents as I will be. No one has my unique experiences and abilities.

Jerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead said about the same thing: “The secret is not to be the best of the best but the real secret is to be the only one that does what you do.”

Posted in discipleship, growth, reflection, stewardship | Leave a comment

Sins Progression

Posted on November 8, 2012 by glenn

You may be familiar with the story of Achan from Joshua 7. The children of Israel had suffered a surprising defeat at Ai. When Joshua approached GOD inquiring why His people had been defeated, GOD told him simply that there was sin in the camp. Achan was the one guilty of that sin.

The first lesson we can learn from this is how the actions of one can affect the entire group. Achan was one, yet his sin had caused the defeat of the entire group. Note in verse 11 that GOD says “Israel has sinned and they have also transgressed.” Even though Achan was one, GOD refers to Israel in the plural. His sin affected the whole group.

The point I wish to emphasize today is found in verse 21. Note the progression of sin. Achan first saw, then coveted, next took, and finally hid them. He saw, coveted, took, and hid. Think about the progression of his actions, from a simple look to coveting to taking and finally to hiding.

Achan could have stopped the process anywhere along the way. But that is not the way sin operates. It is so seemingly innocent at first. Achan could have thought now what could it possibly hurt to look at these beautiful garments and all this silver and gold. He may have thought that it doesn’t hurt to look. What is the harm in just looking? There is no harm in my just looking.

Well the harm in looking is that it leads to the next step. Achan began to covet them. To covet is to have a desire for something that belongs to someone else and it was strictly forbidden in the Mosaical Law. So what is the harm in looking? It led him on a path of sin. It was the first step on a slippery slope that becomes increasingly harder to stop the further the process goes. The coveting led him to take and the process continued.

And we should note the progression didn’t stop in verse 21 with the hiding. Sin leads to death and Achan’s situation was no exception. Verse 25 states that Israel stoned him and all his family. The progression of sin: He saw, he coveted, he took, he hid, and they died.

I am sure Achan had no idea that his actions that fateful day would eventually cause the death of his family. I pray that no actions of mine cause my family negative spiritual consequences.

You may have had episodes in your life that you can, with hindsight, look back on and identify with Achan. Or you may be in the midst of this process now. You may be on that slippery slope dealing with some temptation that Satan has placed in your life. You may be in the “looking” process now or it may have progressed further. Whatever the case, I pray you will stop the process before it leads to eventual death.

Alone we are powerless against the temptations of Satan but James 4:7-8 gives us hope. Submit to GOD. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to GOD and He will draw near to you.

You should note the progression even here. We make the first move, submitting to GOD and drawing near to Him. He will be there for us when we do.

One last observation about Achan is found in 1 Chronicles 2:7. Here Achan is referred to as the troubler of Israel. Spiritual Israel, GOD’S people today is the church. May I never be guilty of being a troubler of the church.

Posted in reflection, sin | Leave a comment

The Outcome

Posted on November 5, 2012 by glenn

I am a college football fan. This past weekend my favorite team had a huge rivalry game. Alabama and LSU played on a Saturday night in Baton Rouge, both ranked in the top five. If you like college football, it just doesn’t get any better than that.

Alabama has been my team for as long as I can remember. I have been with them in good times and bad times. The present happens to be some good times.

But good times or not, I always go into a game thinking we will win. If you know the outcome of this weekend’s game you know that I am a happy fan.

As I sat there and watched the game I enjoyed every minute of it. I never doubted the outcome. My emotions were always in check. I just sat there and enjoyed the game. Blood pressure was never a problem. I knew Alabama would find a way to win. I KNEW; never doubted. Reminded me of the 1985 Auburn game when Van Tiffin kicked the game winning field goal on the last play. I just knew!

By now you are probably thinking I am just some obnoxious fan and that I am not being truthful. But really I am being truthful. I did KNOW. I should tell you I was watching the DVR version of the game. Or in the 1985 Alabama Auburn case, I was watching a VCR version.

I knew the outcome and was just watching the game to enjoy it. I admit that I didn’t necessarily enjoy every minute while I was watching it live. It was gut wrenching watching it live and not knowing how it would turn out. But to watch the DVR version is great pleasure knowing the result ahead of time. To know the ending, to not worry about how it will turn out, to know ahead of time, makes it fun to watch.

There is a wonderful Biblical parallel here. As a faithful child of GOD I know how things will turn out. I don’t have to stress about every little daily thing. I need to remember the big picture. I need to remember the final score has already been decided. The outcome is set.

Revelation 17:14 notes that evil forces will make war with the Lamb and the Lamb will overcome them. The Lamb will overcome them! Did you get that? The outcome has already been decided. We already know the score. It is as though John was watching a DVR version of the scene. We don’t know how all of it will play out but the outcome is decided. The final score is set! GOD and righteousness will win! Knowing this, we can rest in full assurance of faith.

Sometimes we need to be reminded of this and have our eyes opened. There is a story found in 2 Kings 6, of the king of Syria making war with Israel. In verse 15, the servant of the man of GOD went out early in the morning and saw an army surrounding the city. He was understandably concerned. Elisha told him not to fear that there were more on the side of good than the army he saw. His eyes were then opened and he saw GOD’S forces surrounding the mountains. It was as if Elisha allowed him to see the final score.

Psalm 37: 1-10 tells us the Christian will come out ahead in the end. Read the passage and underline the following. Do not fret, trust, do good, delight, commit your way, trust, rest in the LORD, cease from anger, forsake wrath and those who wait on the LORD they shall inherit the earth.

At the end of my bible I have written “We Won”. I am thankful GOD has allowed us to know the final outcome ahead of time. We will have problems on a daily basis but we can rest in the knowledge of how it will all turn out.

Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14

Posted in faith, reflection, time | Leave a comment

Child Rearing

Posted on November 4, 2012 by glenn

I recently ran across some notes I scribbled down several years ago before doing a presentation. These were done when my children were growing up and also coincidentally when I was in public education. All of these thoughts are applicable to child rearing. Some are short, others a little longer and all worthy of expanding into full discussions. I share my thoughts in hopes they are of benefit to someone. Rather than reading the entire list of 20 at once, take one at a time and think about how you feel about the item.

1. There is a critical period early in life when attitudes are formed. Kindness, being appreciative, respect, etc. are traits learned and taught. They are NOT inherent in the child.

2. You must earn respect. But you also must expect or demand it.

3. All of this is not for the purpose of satisfying the ego of the parents but rather to teach the child the attitude he will have later toward all authority. This includes government but ultimately the Final Authority.

4. Severe punishment or anger should be reserved for severe offenses such as challenges to parental authority. When this challenge is issued by the child it must be met sternly and decisively by the parent.

5. Preserve the child’s dignity when disciplining, never in public or as an outbreak of emotion. Rather it should be a well thought out means of teaching the child acceptable behavior.

6. The child will naturally challenge authority periodically to make sure the bounds are still in place.

7. The best opportunity to communicate comes after the punishment.

8. Don’t deprive the child of wanting and wishing. Appreciation is taught through planning. Prizes cheaply won are of little value.

9. The Law of Reinforcement states the rewards must come immediately. The rewards need not be materialistic. Words of praise must be earned or they will become of no effect.

10. Never belittle a child.

11. Don’t back the child into a corner. Be firm but be fair. Allow the child to keep his dignity.

12. Around middle adolescence a child begins to resent being told exactly what to believe. You must begin to allow
autonomy. Of course this means the parents must seize the window early in life to indoctrinate the children to GOD and His teachings. Parents must lead by example.

13. The wise parent will know what to expect from the child as he approaches each developmental stage. This is especially true as the child progresses through adolescence.

14. Don’t deal with problems late at night. Things are always clearer in the morning.

15. Be kind but firm. Children need someone to look up to – not another friend. Occasionally this may mean they dislike you. Remember this is not a popularity contest.

16. Be consistent.

17. Be Fair. This doesn’t mean treating everyone the same but treating everyone fairly.

18. Don’t have bionic eyes and ears. The wise parent will discern what things should be seen and heard.

19. Don’t back yourself into a corner by making idle threats.

20. Teach GOD’S moral laws are just as sure as the physical laws.

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Posted in family | Leave a comment

Opportunity

Posted on November 1, 2012 by glenn

Opportunity. With the mention of the word one usually thinks about missed chances. Indeed the saying goes that opportunity only knocks once. Seize the moment.

I remember a few years ago a not so famous coach of my favorite team would regularly refer to challenges being tremendous opportunities. Opportunities and challenges.

What do you think of when you consider opportunities? Life is full of them. Most of the time we don’t recognize them until the opportunity is past. Sometimes when we do recognize it, there is a challenge present that makes it a risk. And we hesitate to act.

I like John F. Kennedy’s take on opportunity. He noted that when written in Chinese, the word crisis is composed of two characters. One character represents danger and the other represents opportunity.

Crisis. Do we realize when faced with a crisis there may be an opportunity to grow? Or does the danger involved paralyze us? And we thus let the opportunity pass.

Opportunities. How many times have we let those go by?

Time is short. Opportunity is knocking. Answer the door. It has been said there are four things that will not come again: the spoken word, the spent arrow, time past and the neglected opportunity.

There is no doubt that we will be held accountable for opportunities in life. Does the scripture not teach that he who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin (James 4:17)?

One of my favorite scriptures is Galatians 6:10. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Opportunity. Accountability. Ability. Now let’s consider all three.

Opportunity with no ability equals no accountability. Ability with no opportunity likewise equals no accountability. But opportunity plus ability equals accountability.

Opportunities. Today will be full of them. They may appear as a crisis but more often they will present themselves as a friend in need or a small chance to do good.

Let us look for opportunities to do good. A complement, a smile, an offer to help, etc. A small act on our part might make the day better for someone else. And may everything we do glorify the Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Posted in growth, opportunity, service | Leave a comment

You Go First

Posted on October 19, 2012 by glenn

It has been the same through the years. If I have ever gotten interested in a situation comedy on television, most of the time it was after the series went off the air. I have become interested in the show in syndication or while watching reruns. I must admit I am not much on the newer TV shows. But MASH, Cheers, Seinfeld, etc. are some of my favorites. Such is the case with Everybody Loves Raymond. I got interested in the show at the end of its run but now have watched all the episodes many times.

There is an episode in season 7 of Everybody Loves Raymond named “Baggage.” When Robert asks Ray if he can borrow a suitcase sitting on the stairway landing, Ray explains he and Debra have been locked in an “unspoken” battle of wills since a weekend trip over who is responsible for putting the suitcase away.

I am sure every married couple can identify with this somewhat. Stubbornly refusing to give in and be the one to do something that really is unimportant. You go first. You do it. I am not going first, you do it. Not me, you will have to. Maybe the words are not even spoken. But on and on the silly game goes.

But sometimes it is necessary to be the one to make the first move. And I would like to consider far more important matters than these trivial relationship games we play. I am talking about our spirituality.

Who is going to make the first move?

There is a sense in which GOD made the first move. Romans 5:8 declares that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. He made the first move. Thankfully GOD extended his love toward us when we were in a position that we could not make the first move. Without Him making this move we would have no hope of salvation, no hope for eternity in heaven. Lost. Forever.

But I want to consider another angle. Draw near to GOD and He will draw near to you. This is found in James 4:8. In this sense we make the first move. The order is critical. GOD is there. If we will make the effort to seek Him, He will be there. Me first.

If we no longer feel close to GOD, be assured it wasn’t GOD Who moved. It was us. He is there. He is where He has always been. But we must make the first move!

If we want to be close to GOD, we must take the initiative. He has provided the way but He is not going to force us. He is not going to open the door. I am reminded of the picture showing Christ knocking on the door. Have you ever noticed there is no door knob on the outside? We must open the door. We must make the first move.

If we want a closer relationship to Him, we make the first move. “Draw near to GOD and He will draw near to you.”
The previous verse is also important to our discussion. Verse seven reads “therefore submit to GOD. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” The order is necessary. One cannot resist Satan until after submitting to GOD. It is necessary to have His help!

If we will first draw near to GOD and submit to Him. He will be there for us and Satan will flee.

But, we must make the first move. How petty we are in relationships to wait for the other one to make the first move. We must not play those games with GOD.

GOD made the first move 2000 years ago when He gave His Son for me. May I never have the attitude of You go first. He already has. Now it is my turn.

Posted in discipleship, submission | Leave a comment