Whatever

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart . . ." (Col. 3: 23).

     I grew up in a town so small that the sixties didn't get there until the seventies (actually it's where I still live).  As a teen back there and then, friends would often ask me the probing question, "what it is?" I remember feeling stumped, and usually responded with a question of my own, "yeah, uh, what's happening?" We would then end the philosophical dialogue at the same time saying "cool." 

     It all happened quick.

     Later in college I learned that the "what it is" question is such an important one that it has its own school of thought:  "Ontology"-the study of being ("what it is").  "It" can be a pretty big subject.  Really, it is.

     Groovy.

     Kids today continue to ponder the question "what it is."  The response of "cool" has now been replaced by a statement that is far more cynical, "whatever."  Who among us has not heard the juvenile response, "whatever," accompanied with a roll of the eyes and shrug of the shoulders, to some comment or request?  I think "whatever" is a twenty-first century kid's response to a "sixties"  kid question:  "what it is . . ."

     Not so groovy.

     Leave "it" to the Apostle Paul to bring clarity to the discussion, with his "whatever" discourse in Colossians, saying, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus (3: 17a) . . . and "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart . . ." (3: 23).  

     Paul acknowledges that it is a problem knowing what it is (whether "it" is a career choice, a marriage partner, a calling, a medical diagnosis, and etc.) but goes on to say that in the mystery of whatever we can know "who" (". . . in the name of the Lord Jesus") and "why" ("work at it with all your heart").  In other words the answers to the "who" and "why" questions may have to suffice until we get to Heaven and know "what."

     Many young adults today remain immature "adult-olescents."  Why?  They live in a world of options: so many colleges, majors, careers, potential partners, and etc., leading to "paralysis by analysis" and the response "whatever" to life's choices.  Paul might counsel, "don't just sit there in your parent's basement, do "something" and do it for the Lord and work at it with all your heart."

     The next time your teen responds, "whatever," finish the thought with "(whatever) it is do it for the Lord" and "do it with all your heart."

Blessings for a Sabbatical peace growing out of an understanding of the "Who" and the "why" in a vacuum of knowing "what"--

Pastor Tim

     

     

     

     

Our Mixed-Up World

"And I, because of their actions and their imaginations, am about to come and gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see my glory" (Isaiah 66: 18).



     We live in a mixed-up world.  Fortunately, the Bible contains "mixed messages" for us to ponder.  Let me explain.

     The Old Testament prophets existed for two purposes:(1) they preached God's judgement toward sinners, and (2) hope that He would provide a Savior.  This mixed message of judgement and grace reflected not contradiction but coordination.

     The prophets wanted readers to know that the hardships they were facing were not by accident but design--i.e., that God intentionally used the plague or the Babylonians to punish Israel for her rebellion. Israel was not at the mercy of random and unrelated accidents of history.  God was in control.  Thus, He could bless or punish, using whatever or whomever He willed to be His instruments.  The Good News was that a God capable of judgement was also capable of mercy.  Judgement was redemptive in nature.  He disciplined those He loved.  But those who continued to reject Him would continue to reap His wrath.

     Isaiah has 66 chapters (the Bible has 66 books), of which the first 39 deal primarily with the judgement of God (as does the first 39 books of the Bible, the Old Testament), while the last 27 reveal the God of Mercy (as does the 27 books of the New Testament).  Isaiah wraps up his message at the end by forecasting Heaven and Hell, reminded that God is capable of wrath and mercy.

     Living here, East of Eden and short of Heaven, we respond to the "How's Life Question" with, "well, do you want the good news or the bad news first?"  Life's a mixed bag of good and evil, but it's comforting to know that God is Lord of both, and that evil has a short shelf life for the one who trusts in the mercy of Christ.  God can even use the evil acts of His adversary to accomplish His purposes.  The evil that God allows is relieved and redeemed for the repentant.

     Hell, itself, is good news for the saved.  God is preparing a place where Satan and all of evil will be contained and destroyed so goodness can triumph for eternity.  History (God's Story) is not random, but has a glorious beginning (because God is Creator), a mixed-up middle (because man is a sinner), and a decisive end (because God gets the last Word).  There is purpose and meaning all the way through.

Blessings for Sabbatical peace lived out in a mixed-up world, en route toward a new world of pure joy,

Pastor Tim

REMINDERS:
This week's meal is potluck soup.  Bring a pot of soup to share or cornbread, crackers or dessert.  Tea and lemonade will be provided for everyone.  Please let Julie or Pauletta know if you are bringing soup.  We just need to make sure we have plenty of the main dish for everyone.  If you are bringing crackers, cornbread or dessert, there is no need to let us know unless you just want to.

Also, we are excited for the beginning of our worship choir!  If you are a joyful worshipper, we need you to join us!  If you plan to sing, come a little before 6 to eat and join us in the sanctuary at 6:15.  Looking forward to an awesome time of worship Saturday night!

We would like to say a special "thank you" to all our faithful volunteers who come early to set up tables, help serve,  clean up after the service, help with the nursery, play /sing on the praise band.  We are so blessed to have such a hard-working group who love their Lord so much, they are willing to get their hands dirty and serve Him however needed.