Introduction
"All these
people, stickin' they nose in ma business, causin' me
anxiety!" Charlie was a man who lived on the street in
London. He would never know the impact of his often
repeated statement, quoted above. His living conditions
were less than adequate, but he was an easy man to help,
or to at least make the attempt. Charlie had obviously
lost the will to advance in traditional society, and
suffered in many ways. One of those tormenting
situations occurred when others would attempt to impose
their values on him, or to attempt to give him unwanted
help or direction. Charlie was quick to become very
defensive of his right to be who he was, and to have his
own views of how something was to be done.
Analyzing
Charlie was not easy, and in such a case, the best
analysis is to search for the open areas which can be
found in order to reach someone. It is certain that
Charlie provided many colourful times for everyone he
touched. Even those on the streets were taken by his
charms, and he always seemed to have friends. Perhaps
the most difficult situation faced by Charlie and others
on the street is when someone approached with a cure-all
answer to all problems. Charlie was met with criticism
on many occasions. In one instance, a lady approached
him to condemn his lack of responsibility. It was sad
to see him revert to a shell, as if he had been
attacked. Yet, this was the way Charlie lived, and the
chance he took every day of his life.
Remembering
Charlie is easy. He was also a wonderful fellow who
gave a variety of colourful memories to many people. In
analyzing Charlie and others like him, and also
remembering personal situations which were similar in
nature, it is amazing to find that life is colourful in
all aspects, even when we think that our boredom and
lack of a bright, flamboyant life is too overwhelming.
Charlie found no lack of colour in his life, and he gave
much colour to others, even in his deprived condition.
In
considering this thought, we can rest assured that it's
always a colourful life if we are willing to reach out
and take it. Life is not bounded by a lack of activity,
except in our own imagination. God has given us all
things richly to enjoy, and we have His power to act in
His will. Each of us has a variety of situations which
arise in life, to which we may adapt and use as
colourful memories and development tools. Nothing
enhances our experience with the Lord any more than
trials. Nothing will help in our growth any more than
our trials being watered by both tears and laughter. A
life of all tears will leave us in darkness, while a
life of all laughter will leave us in denial of
reality. We must have a balance, and find the truth of
balance in producing an always colourful life. The
darkest life situations can produce a colourful life.
Chapter One
Just Don't Think About It
"What do you
mean? Do you know how serious this is?" Sometimes, it
simply does not sink into the thought processes. Some
things are serious, and require thinking! From the
perspective of a young person, this makes no sense. One
young lady decided this was the only answer anyone would
need. When a major issue arose, she told her father,
"Just don't think about it!" In some ways, this can be
a hilarious situation, but imagine what is imminent when
a job is at stake. Think about the consequences of what
could come if there is a loss of income, or a breakdown
of the family transportation. To be fair, it is better
to not speak about it, but it seems impossible to not
think about a traumatic issue when it comes upon us.
In thinking
about this answer from a sincere daughter who always
wanted a relief from suffering and torment, this can be
found as a colourful memory. One of the best things of
advancing in life is that we can turn back to many
things when the children are grown. So, what would be
expected when this same daughter has a crisis at hand,
and needs advice? It is likely to be predictable. If
an immediate answer is not available, it is then up to
"Pop" to say, "Just don't think about it!" Of course,
the answer will always produce a bit of a smile, but the
memories of a colourful life in itself could help to
create a more calm atmosphere in which to analyze the
problem and its answers.
There are
several examples which can be used to illustrate the
principles involved, but none may be more descriptive
than Job's friend Zophar. In his second attack on Job,
he only increased his volume of condemnation. In the 20th
chapter of Job, Zophar levelled his attack on a
suffering man, not realizing that he was also telling
what was wrong with his speech. In verse 2, he actually
says that while he is thinking about something, he wants
to hurry up and talk! In a sense, go ahead and speak,
and just don't think about it!
It is when
we are in a hurry to go ahead and give someone "what
they deserve," that we can make our greatest mistakes.
It is always impossible to know exactly where we will
find someone in life. One of the easy mistakes which
can be made is when we can presume that we have all the
answers to the problems of another person. For a
strange reason, we never seem to grasp the fact that we
are not mind readers! The difficulties of another
person could be due to something completely different
than what we have come to imagine. This was the case
with Job. As his friends measured his destruction, they
took no account of the instigation of Satan against
Job. His defences were insufficient as an explanation
to his friends. Perhaps many of us know this routine.
When we have done our best, and things go wrong, we can
be subject to humiliation, and usually from those who
speak before thinking about what might have caused our
miseries.
Considering
these thoughts, it is always a good idea to figure out
what happens when we speak before we think. There are
several possibilities of outcomes when one is put into a
position of inability to recover from temporary
setbacks, as severe criticism comes from outside
sources. What happens when we speak, and "just don't
think about it?"
The first
result is that words without thought can steal the
dignity of others. There was a young man who
surrendered his life to the Lord, and intended to do his
best in all things, no matter what the task. One of his
activities was to visit people at random, by knocking on
their doors, and introducing himself and his church. He
was always in the company of another member, visiting in
teamwork. One day the fellow met his co-worker, and
they were off to visit. He would never have dreamed
that one door would reveal one of his former high school
teachers!
The pair of
visitors were invited in and received warmly. While
inviting the teacher to their services, the young man
gave a detailed description of the church operation. As
he opened his mouth, without thinking of the situation
of his former teacher, he boldly and efficiently
acclaimed that the church was interested in no one who
had been divorced, as far as participation was
concerned. No thought or tenderness was evident in the
young man as he proclaimed the facts as he knew them.
Apparently
stunned, the teacher softly said that it was likely that
she would not find a church home in their midst, since
her husband had left her previously. Both the visitors
were shocked, but the product was evident. The teacher
had her dignity stolen by the tongue of one young person
who was full of zeal, but far short of the thought
process concerning how to present a caring approach.
There are
several Scriptural ideals to keep in mind when dealing
with others. One is found in Galatians 6:1, which says,
"If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of
meekness, lest thou also be tempted." As Jesus' critics
also spoke without thinking, Pilate responded by saying,
"Take ye him and crucify him." He finished his
statement by saying, "I find no fault in him"
(John19:6). This is an irrational statement, apparently
not thought out well. In a sense, Pilate was guilty of
telling them to take Jesus, and "just don't think about
it."
A second
result of speaking without thinking is that we can
affect the opinions of other people. An American pastor
was living in England, and started a church. One of his
first converts was a man about the same age. Their
friendship and mutual admiration grew, and their
families became very close in fellowship. The two men
became associates in the ministry, with the new convert
starting to Bible college training, and serving in the
church where he had been saved. It was a close bond
which endured for years, going more than twenty years
after the departure of the American, who returned to his
own home soil. In their years together, there were many
colourful moments which made this a special time to
remember. The memories were both in the church setting,
and in personal ties which were created. John and Tony
were best of friends. They also shared one thing which
was peculiar to them.
John and
Tony always visited together in teamwork. They were
finding all those whom the Lord would allow them to
reach. In one visit, there was a lady who noticed their
similar situation. Both John and Tony were missing the
index finger from the middle joint, on the same hand!
It was not advertised, and not something that they could
have predicted. It did, however, cause quite a stir.
On that
single visit, the English lady decided that in order to
become a part of their church, part of the ritual was to
have an index finger removed! She decided it was her
sworn duty to let others know that it was a strange
group which was visiting, attempting to get others to
join them, but there was a price. Of course, others
took the advice, and some would not want to join them.
Without knowing the reasons for why John and Tony had
missing fingers, the lady had decided for herself, and
affected the opinions of others.
Yes, life
can be colourful, and have its unending accounts of
situations that occur, but we continue in this world.
It can be remembered that David's son Absalom had
rebelled, and decided to overthrow his father. As he
stole the hearts of his father's subjects, he did manage
to influence one man who was trusted by David.
Ahithophel was a counsellor to David, and he decided to
counsel Absalom instead. When Absalom refused to follow
his advice, Ahithophel saw little chance of survival,
and could not return to David. Instead, he put all his
things in order, and hanged himself, earning the title
of the "Old Testament Judas." Absalom's actions were
based on selfish desires. Ahithophel's trouble was to
be found in taking up the offence of Absalom, an issue
which did not concern him. This was a tragedy, but can
be seen in the influence of one person on another.
A third
result of speaking without thinking is that we can set
ourselves up to be judged. It is a grave mistake to
judge others, without knowing the troubles which have
taken them to their current state. In the previous
illustration of the young man who was visiting his
former teacher, it would only be four years later that
he would cross the same problems. His wife left him,
and he endured the trials of others telling him that he
would not be able to serve the Lord. He then had to
live in the same situation as the one he had
unintentionally offended, by speaking without thinking.
Thinking of Job's friends, what if God had decided that
they should be judged by their words to Job? Instead,
He had mercy, and allowed Job to pray for them.
Indeed, it
is always a colourful life. Some situations can be
humorous, while others can be difficult and draining,
but we are commissioned to work through them, in order
for our task for the Lord Jesus to be meaningful. He
has provided a myriad of obstacles through which His
people must pass, and there are different ones for each
of His children to conquer. Actually, the more
challenges we have provided by the Lord, the more rich
and colourful life will be. The characters we
encounter, and the issues which seem to be impossible,
will all create an always colourful life.
Chapter Two
The Copy Cat
One of the
most delightful things about a sense of humour is when
some one tells us a joke that we have originated, or
told, maybe hundreds of times. It is really hard to
keep a straight face while listening, and preparing for
the punch line. When the joke's climax is finally at
hand, there are three things we can do. First, we can
go ahead and laugh as if we have never heard it before;
second, we can finish the joke for the other person, and
steal the thunder; or third, we can remain with a
deadpan expression as if we didn't get the joke. Any of
the three reactions can have a humorous effect.
Depending upon the personality of the one telling the
joke, it could also cause the person to avoid us.
Humour can
be a great blessing. God's Word says, "A merry heart
doeth good like a medicine" (Proverbs 17:22). Since
jokes are intended to be told, we can expect to hear
those we have told many times. There are also those who
have no idea how to tell a joke, like the man in a
prison setting. One of the men had received a volume of
ten thousand jokes. After a while, the jokes had become
a bore to tell, since they had been used so often. The
entire group decided to number the jokes, and just call
out the numbers. One day, a fellow shouted out, "Hey,
number 2,455!" The entire group broke out in laughter.
A few seconds later, another man said, "Catch this!
Number 4,389!" Once again, the group was humbled in
laughter. A third man then shouted, "Hey guys, number
8,274!" This time, there was silence. One of the men
whispered to another, "Some guys just don't know how to
tell a joke."
If there is
one thing that is certain about telling a joke, it
usually requires a talent to copy some aspect of a
personality or movement. There are individuals who can
adapt a joke to their personality, and make it even more
effective than they first heard it. This is a measure
of the ability to effectively copy another person.
It is
sometimes difficult to know what to do or say, when we
realize that we are in a conversation with information
which has been previously given by another person. It
is a necessity to be gracious when we recognize that a
story we are hearing is told by one who is not original
with the information or the presentation. Simply
repeating things in the manner of a parrot is not
effective communication. It is better to be ourselves,
and acting like "us" than to copy someone else. Our
personality is a gift from God, and is a blessing from
Him. There is no doubt that some personalities see
others as attractive, and feel cheated by the Lord
because they are not blessed. Then, the issue becomes
one of an attempt to imitate the one we envy. This
cheats everyone else, since our natural gift is not
used. We have become a "copy cat," without originality.
Remembering
Job's friends, there was one of them who had no original
charges which he could bring against Job. Bildad was
one who repeated the charges of the others, and sounded
as if he was using words because others were. For
example, he charges in Job 8 that Job's "words are as
wind" (verse 2, as compared with 6:26); he talked about
Job's children (verse 4, as compared with 5:4); he spoke
of Job's future increase (verse 7, as compared with
5:25-26); and he claimed Job was lying (verse 6, as
compared with 4:7). Bildad had little information of his
own, and had no insight. He depended on the other
friends to speak, and then used their words to condemn
Job.
It is
important that we become as original as possible. There
are two main reasons for this when we interact with
others. The first reason is that it allows us to see
others as individuals.
In the
television and movie productions of STAR TREK, the entry
of an alien entity is introduced as the Borg. The Borg
are converted humans, assimilated into a "collective,"
losing all personality. Each Borg works as a part of
the wider group, with no personal goals, mind, will or
emotion. Some religions see humanity-at-large in this
way, with no individuality. Simply, we are seen as part
of one pool of cosmic energy.
This also
introduces another aspect of beliefs, known as
reincarnation. One of the introductory remarks of this
belief is, "Have you ever been somewhere, and felt as if
you had been there before?" Indeed, this does happen.
However, it is easy to remember one instance of standing
in a Wal Mart store, feeling as if this had happened
before. The main thought of that time was that it was a
newly opened store! If it had been something in a
previous life, it must be remembered that Wal Mart would
not have been in business! As well, if there were such
a thing as reincarnation, it would be difficult to
desire it. In the present world, one trip through it is
plenty! As the world declines in the quality of life,
we wait for those things which the Lord has prepared for
His people.
There are
three considerations in seeing people as unique
individuals. The first of these is that individuals
have personalities. Each person is uniquely created by
God, and given those qualities peculiar to that person,
to bring glory to God. We know people by personality.
When a personality is changed through a tragic
situation, or by a change in attitude, it is as if we no
longer know that person. This is not an unusual
occurrence. It is a fact of life. The way we create
love, attachments and respect are all through the
response to personality.
A second
consideration in seeing a person as an individual is
that people have talents which belong to them alone.
Bertoldo de Giovanni was the teacher of Michaelangelo.
In one instance, he took one of Michaelangelo's works, a
simple statue, and crashed it while he said, "talent is
cheap, dedication is costly." We must find ways to get
individuals to employ their talents. This is a part of
our responsibility to recognize others as individual in
every part of their being.
A third
aspect of considering others as individuals is in
recognizing the needs of the individual. Inside the
body is a complex system of emotions, dreams, desires,
talents, strengths, weaknesses, failures, past history
and more. These all work together to make us unique.
The individual also has a need to grow out of where we
find him or her. Life is full of development, and there
must be an exercise in order to move from strength to
strength, while developing all our qualities.
If there are
considerations in seeing others as individuals, then
there is certainly also the second aspect of treating
others as individuals. There is only one Gospel message
for the entire world. However, there are many ways in
which individuals understand how to accept the Lord
Jesus as Saviour.
In Texas,
Carolyn was a young girl who could not be reached. She
was resistant and seemed unable to grasp the Gospel as
it was presented by parents or other teachers. She
finally did accept the Lord Jesus as her Saviour,
through the presentation of something she could
understand. In the Bible book of Leviticus, chapter 14,
there is a method for the cleansing of a leper. It
involves a ceremony of taking two birds alive, killing
one of the birds, and dipping the living bird in the
blood of the dead bird, allowing the living bird to go
free. This is a picture of what the Lord Jesus Christ
does for His people. This is the presentation that
unlocked Carolyn's heart. Individuals are not clones.
They are open to understand issues from where they are.
Some open to a message of very strong judgement, while
others are open to light compassion. There is only one
Gospel, and only one God who gives individual access to
His throne.
There are
three reasons to treat others as individuals. First,
others have intellect. It is necessary to find the
opening into a person's heart. Many times, we are quick
to give up on a person who resists. Yet, if we have not
continued to try, we will never know if an alternate
approach could have worked.
Second,
individuals have desires. It is always good when we
find those who have all things in common with us. It is
also rare! Most people have completely different goals
and interests in life. The miracle of the Christian
life is seeing those work together in harmony, producing
growth in individuals.
A third
thing to learn is that individuals can learn. No one
has cornered the market in the "how to" of every
situation. We can teach, but the individual will learn
from others as well. We must treat them as individuals,
with respect, and understand that there is a presence of
intellect, desire and capacity, if we are to accept
others as individuals.
Remembering
these key issues should resolve the question of the need
to be a copy cat. The human mind, will, emotion,
intellect, desire, talent and all other qualities
possessed, when controlled by the Lord, cannot be
adequately copied or cloned. This is what makes life
always colourful. People who use their personal gifts
and qualities will enrich their society, and the lives
of their friends, giving great pleasure and memories to
all who will become a permanent part of them. No copy
cats, please. We are individuals!
Chapter Three
The Whole Story? Impossible!
Gregory Peck
and Audrey Hepburn will never know what they did. In
their great 1952 film ROMAN HOLIDAY, they created some
unanswered questions. Playing the role of a newspaper
man after a story, the movie portrays Peck and his
friend Eddie Albert as two money hungry characters who
are setting up the innocent Princess for personal gain
only. However, by the end of the movie, Peck is so
smitten with Hepburn's charms that he cannot follow
through with the plot, refusing to turn in a story or to
make money from his enterprise. The actors performed
with a great deal of charm, one thing which has become
lacking in later day films. It is well portrayed and
full of grace. There is only one thing lacking with the
film. As in most films, it leaves its audience
wondering what happened to the characters!
Frustration
comes when we cannot know everything we want to know.
In the film in the above comments, the audience is not
allowed to know what happened to the people involved in
the plot, or whether there would ever be another meeting
between them. It is almost a film in need of a
conclusion, or at least a sequel. Only its charm allows
the film to fulfil the satisfaction. This is somewhat
like the world in which we live. There are many
situations we know, but some seem to have no resolution
in them.
The 1963
assassination of John F Kennedy has long attracted
constant theories about what actually happened, and who
was involved. It was a tragedy for which no complete
answer will ever be found. Not only is there a lack of
evidence now, there was the same lack of information
when the event occurred. The search for the truth goes
on, as many have spent years and much money attempting
to unravel the mystery. Yet, that is exactly what it
is- a mystery! There is something in us which must know
more, and find answers. One of the most difficult
frustrations we face is the irritation of coming up
short in the search for answers.
Considering
the question of knowing the whole story, we must submit
to our nature as finite beings. It is true that the
search for such answers creates a colourful life. This
is a natural part of our human make-up, that we will
search to learn more than we know, and our
investigations will colour our pathway. Yet, in the
matter of information, we must bow to inability in some
instances. One of those matters is our knowledge of
Scripture, and our relationship to our God. There is
much we can know of Him, but we understand that there is
also much we cannot know of Him on this earth. This is
our part in faith, by accepting Him in what He has
revealed. Sometimes we attempt to fill in the blanks
for ourselves, and always tie more knots in the rope
than we can untangle. It is best to find out all we
can, and to commit the unknown to our faith, in His
capable hands.
There are
things which are impossible to know. The first is that
we will never get the whole Word of God in this world.
It is not that we do not have it in our possession, but
that we have only a designated number of years, and it
is impossible for the human mind and spirit to grasp
every part of it.
When a
student goes to school and sits through every class a
teacher has to offer, the student has the capacity to
learn every possible thing from that teacher. However,
if that is all that is learned by the student, then this
will only make a clone. There is no possible instance
in which a teacher can know everything about a subject,
and if it were known, there would not be enough time to
teach it all. A student must investigate many sources,
even in one subject, in order to know as much as
possible, and even then there is only a small percentage
of the subject which is known.
Every week,
there are pastors who preach the Word, but none have
ever exhausted the entire Bible. Each day, millions of
people study the Word, and still find that there are yet
mysteries unsolved, and questions unanswered. It is
amazing also to know that so many have memorized such
tremendous amounts of Scripture. Then, knowing the
words in order cannot be the key to unlocking the true
meaning of Scripture. As it is impossible to know
everything about every school subject, it is also
impossible to know everything the Word of God holds in
its treasured pages.
There is
something about faith that is important in making this a
colourful life. Faith requires parts and portions, not
full answers. As children develop, they need
direction. They do not always understand why adults
tell them to do things. Sometimes a parent can only
say, "Because I say so, and that's enough." There is a
reason why children need direction. Their teachers are
training them for the future. However, no one knows
what the future is! It is a matter of faith.
God does not
show His children the future, and does not answer why He
does certain things to direct them. This was the case
with so many Bible characters. This was the case with
Abraham, called to go to another country, and going
without knowing where. He had parts and portions of the
information he needed, and was taken from his comfort
zone into an area he knew nothing about. It is this way
with the world today. Changes in systems and
governments can shake our confidence, but it should not
be so. We do not have the answers, but we have the same
God who knew the world would change, and was plain about
it in His Word. He told us what would happen, but not
how it would. This gives us the opportunity to exercise
our faith, and makes life always colourful.
Although we
can never fully understand, and never get the whole Word
here, being forced to exist on parts and portions, there
is still an attractiveness to life that can make it
always colourful. There is no need for us to live a
bleak, grey life, when we have the opportunity to
investigate. The world is still a colourful place to
live. The whole story? Impossible! However, there is
enough available to give us a colourful life.
Chapter Four
The Know-It-All Club
Do you know
anyone who has already "arrived," and seems to know
everything about every subject? It appears that such a
one could claim omniscience, equal with the Lord
Himself! There was a fellow in California many years
ago, who knew ultimate facts in a wide range of
subjects. It was impossible to keep up with him! He
was an expert in every subject including science, math,
all sports, car racing, music, teaching, surfing, travel
and many other subjects. This is not bad for one who
was only 19 years of age! Then, it was comical when
others called his bluff, and presented facts from those
subjects which caused his theories to fall apart!
In
considering the trials of Job, and the ritual assaults
by his friends, one of Job's remarks in reply to Bildad
is classic. In Job 12:2, Job's answer is, "No doubt that
ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you." Job
was weary of hearing charges against him, founded on
words without wisdom, and who could blame him? He did
not know the source of his problems, yet his friends all
claimed the omniscient power to read his mind and
heart. In his reply noted above, Job was finally making
fun of his tormentors. He was in misery, but he created
some colourful responses to colourful arguments.
There are
things that the "know it all" never considers. At the
top of the list, a person who acts as a know-it-all
never considers the intelligence of others. One who
knows it all is one who is revealing a lack of wisdom.
When we do not give credit to others, then we are guilty
of a lack of humility. Humility is one thing the
know-it-all cannot know, since his wisdom is tied up in
pride, which is a sin. At this level, a lack of
understanding will also be found. Job's friends were at
ease. They were not forced to endure the same kind of
testing that Job suffered. It is much easier to find
the shortcomings of another who is in torment, when it
has not touched us personally.
There was a story
of a group of men from another country who decided to
learn to play the game of American style football. The
bought a rule book, and went to a field to set up a game
among themselves. As they tried to figure out what the
rules meant, one man was certain that he could find the
mystery, and assumed the leadership. Their attempts
were constantly tangled, and the game they played looked
nothing like the original version as intended. A young
boy was watching, and finally decided they needed help.
He offered his help, and showed the men the proper
set-up, and after a half hour, they were playing
correctly. There is little value in depending on our
own wisdoms to guide us. Even if we know a lot about
certain subjects, there is no guarantee that we can
master others. We do need one who can direct us, and we
must find the humility we need. As in the case of the
football rule book, it is often not as complicated as it
appears. The simplicity of a child is required to
handle many hard questions in life.
Another
thing never considered by the "know-it-all" is that he
can fail. Failure is normal in this life. There have
been many wise things said about our failings. Among
them is that the biggest problem is not that we try and
fail, but that we fail to try. In a similar setting, it
has been said that failure is never fatal until it is
final. People do fail in this life. The "know-it-all"
will never see himself as a failure in any circumstance,
but always as a success.
There was a
story of a young preacher who was very proud of himself
and his ability to speak. In one service, he had been
invited to speak, and an elder minister was in the
crowd. The young man showed himself as cocky and
boastful, but when he delivered his sermon, he became
disoriented and the message was ineffective. After
having to hang his head in shame, while leaving the
pulpit, he tripped on the steps and fell flat on the
floor. After the service, the elder minister simply
told him, "Young man, if you had gone into the pulpit
like you came down, you could have come down like you
went up."
Thinking of
the pride of the "know-it-all," there are two things to
consider. First, this pride leads to constant
criticism. This eventually drives people away from him,
in order to avoid being criticized. It is this way in
his home, with friends, acquaintances, in the workplace
and other places where he has contacts. People avoid
criticism. Secondly, such a person is boring to
others. He never bores himself, because he has a wide
frame of reference. Others can easily tire of hearing
it all, regardless of the subject.
In thinking
of the character of the "know-it-all," a final thought
is that there is a lack of spiritual maturity. The
Apostle Peter was like this, all talk and no action,
until he sinned by his denial of Jesus, and was forced
to repent. Amazingly, there are several possible
outcomes of one who seems to know everything, and the
qualities are usually found in abundance.
In the
matter of faith a "know-it-all" will either make the
message too easy to believe, or too hard for anyone to
obtain, making grace a works-based situation. This
personality also requires a certain level of humanism to
survive. Grace is cancelled, since the very nature of
grace is "unmerited favour." The personality also
overtakes the sovereignty of God, and discounts the
value of others in the plan of God, making others
cheaper than their own value. In all these things, the
personality never considers that God, self and others
have all been let down.
The
"know-it-all" club is not open to a wide membership.
Only those on equal terms are permitted to join. Then,
where do they find their equals!? Nevertheless, this
open personality is one of the ingredients which makes
this a colourful life. Some people live only to
challenge them! Some run from them, and others endure
the stress. No matter in which group we find ourselves,
it is a colourful event when we find one who has been
admitted into the "know-it-all" club. Job knew them
well! No doubt, they are the people, and wisdom will
die with them!
Chapter Five
The Song of Fools
Culloden
Moor is a famous spot in the north of Scotland, near
Inverness. In 1745 AD, Bonnie Prince Charlie and his
forces had been chased to the north by William, the Duke
of Cumberland, also known as the "butcher." Arriving at
the moor, Scot forces were massacred. As well, men,
women and children were burned in their homes.
Receiving news of victory in Scotland, George Frederick
Handel wrote a great work of music to welcome the troops
home to England, JUDAS MACCABAEUS. One movement of the
work, "All Hail the Conquering Hero Comes," was
dedicated to the Duke of Cumberland who came as a hero.
However, when other news arrived of the massacres of
innocents, the pomp and circumstance turned to
mourning. Handel was ashamed that he had given such
tribute to a scoundrel.
Whether in
wrong surroundings or right ones, there will always be
songs about those who make a mark in the world. Again,
Job could identify with this. In Job 30, there is an
interesting statement by the speaker. Job declared,
"They were children of fools, yea, children of base men:
they were viler than the earth. And now am I their
song, yea, I am their byword" (Job 30:8-9).
In the same
way, there are those who sing about Christian failures.
Many of those come in two categories. The first is the
traitor. One of the most noted traitors in the history
of America is Aaron Burr. He tied in the presidential
election with Mr Thomas Jefferson, and was defeated in
the vote of the House of Representatives. In a duel,
Burr killed Alexander Hamilton, and later went to South
Carolina to assemble an army, in order to take over
Texas and defeat the United States, with a vision of
making himself King! Burr was a traitor, but there are
also others who can create equal calamities, on a
smaller scale.
The church
is not immune to having traitors in its midst. There
are those who make false professions of faith in order
to gain membership. One instance occurred in a church
in which a young man made a profession of faith, and
began to question all the operations and beliefs of the
church he had joined. Instead of a display of faith,
the outcome saw him announcing the church shortcomings
to all the city, and later denying that God even
existed! The damage to the church was evident. A great
danger is for others to watch and find that Christians
are not perfect, and then use the old name of
"hypocrite" when we are found wanting in any area.
Excuses for not becoming a part of us are then used,
including, "I'm not going to church, because it's full
of hypocrites." One great evangelist of the past
answered this by saying, "Well if it is, I'm going
anyway. I'd rather go to church with them than to hell
with them!" It should be no great surprise if we are
tagged in this way. Please remember that much worse was
done to Jesus, and He was the perfect man! There is no
way to escape the tongue in this world.
A second
category of those who sing about Christian failure is
the greedy. Some will only use a church for gain, and
what they can get out of it. It could be supposed by
many that since there is a building, there must also be
vast reserves of cash, in the same measure as when
Joseph laid up enough store for seven years of famine.
Regardless, having a building is no sign a church is
rich beyond measure. There are those which have more
than an abundance of wealth, but this is not every
church.
In our years
in London, we began with very little. Leaving our home
country, we went with no support, and only the guiding
hand of God. After only one month in London, He
directed us to a small group of three people, who were
trying to keep the doors open. The average weekly
offerings were less than $30! Our income was $0! In
some way, the Lord opened channels which would never be
seen by us. Living expenses came in from the local
area, church bills were paid, the church began to grow,
and when it was tallied eleven years later, it could be
seen that the Lord had provided over one-half million
dollars for expenses and the work in two churches. This
was incredible! It came from unseen sources. At times,
life was very colourful, as we questioned where the next
meal would originate.
In that
time, there were many visitors who came to our door,
including the man mentioned in the introduction,
Charlie. Each of them had the imagination that since we
were in a building, we must be brimming over with
money. The truth was that we never had it until we
needed it. Strangely, when it did come, we were
challenged to use it to meet the needs of others. They
seemed to have radar money detectors! It became a
delight to help those in need. We never had a knock at
the door that did not result in the giving of food or
resources, and were even able to hire some of them,
including Charlie, to do odd jobs like painting.
Charlie did a great job painting our sanctuary! He had
more help than he wanted, when some of our ladies would
attempt to direct him. It was then we would hear his
familiar words, "All these little ol' ladies, stickin'
they nose in ma business, causin' me anxiety!" It made
for a colourful memory, thanks to Charlie's personality
and wit. As well, he was always thankful for what he
received.
Others
arrived, and some were given a place to stay out of the
cold, and meals for the time they were with us. Yet,
there were the greedy. One man visited us after our
Sunday service, and was begging for help. His mother
had died, and he needed to get to where she would have
her funeral. We gave him the price of a train ticket,
and he was on his way. It is always so good to help
others! Then, a few months later, the same man came
back, asking for help to get home to the funeral of his
mother who had died! Déjà vu, all over again! This was
no doubt a scam. We offered food, but he did not want
it. He was intent on having cash. A third time, the
same man came with the same purpose. All three of his
mothers had now died in the space of a year! For some
reason, this did not sound like a venture in which the
church should invest is slim resources. Of course, he
had anger, but wisdom told us that the funds were likely
being misused. We would help any person who asked, but
our participation in questionable activities could not
happen. We helped people with needs, not scam artists.
It matters
not how much we have, or do not have, greed is a fact of
life. It resides in many, and cannot be quenched, even
by the acquisition of material goods. Yet, a church is
not intended to be a financial empire. It can be
financially blessed, but to hold in its resources to no
purpose except getting more is not in the plan of God.
A church is to be a channel, not a reservoir. It should
be a giving entity. It is right for its members to give
tithes of their resources, but it is also right that
when those resources are received, the church should
also give at least the same percentage and more, in the
support of missions and help for the needy.
Money is not
the purpose of the church. It should be noted that the
Lord never asked for a love offering when He created the
world. He is also the same God who can sustain His
church in every way. A Christian's offerings to Him are
an expression of love, and fulfils the requirement in
the ongoing of the work. Becoming a Christian does not
release us from responsibility so that we can do less.
It increases our responsibility to do more. It has been
wisely said that salvation is free, but someone has to
pay the freight! Holding in our resources means that
others will not hear the message of hope.
Since money is not the purpose of the church, it is well
to note that it is money which allows us to go forward
in this world. One preacher mentioned that, "I do
not preach for money, but money keeps me preaching."
Sometimes the purpose of the Lord's treasury can be seen
out of focus. For many years, one church had
started and built a church, and faithfully continued to
work toward increase in the flock. When the church
had grown, there was a move on to go for another
property and build a larger complex. Long time
members were incensed to think that all their work would
be changed, so an argument followed. The long term
members won, and it was decided that the church would
remain in its present location. It was decided
that it would be beneficial to build, so the church
purchased all the houses around it, and destroyed them.
A massive structure was built, with the only reason
being to "build a landmark to the church presence at
that site."
The Lord is
definitely interested in landmarks, and mentions them in
His Word. Yet, to construct a building with this as a
purpose, rather than seeing it as a place to worship the
Lord and build others for Him, makes the reasoning less
than Scripture seasoned. It is a look back, with little
view of the future. The landmarks which interest the
Lord deal with His visitation to His people, and His
great deliverance, such as Joshua crossing the River
Jordan. Please note that even Solomon's great Temple
was destroyed. We must have our facts in focus.
Singing
songs about our failures is one of the favourite
activities of the world. It is well for us to give them
no occasion to compose such a soliloquy for us. The
musicians of madness will compose when there is no
inspiration, so we should not provide a proof of their
entertainment. There are traitors and greedy ones in
plenty, and all have voices to sing songs about the
people of God. The composers are always active in
gossip, and always ready to make life more colourful for
us. It is not always our fault that we should become
the song of fools, but it is our responsibility to
withhold the themes for the songs which are written
about us. Life is colourful enough without introducing
more colour!
Chapter Six
Happy to Be Me!
When he came
in wearing sunglasses, it was not unusual, since it was
summer. Many people do wear dark glasses in that time
of the year. However, he wore them inside also, and
refused to take them off during the entire day! The man
was a radio announcer who was well noted in his
community. Weeks before this day, he had been to a
concert by a country and western singer, and took
exception to the performer's presentation. He noted
that it was not something to which anyone would take a
family, including profanity and suggestive behaviour.
Our star
announcer returned to his daily radio show, and
announced that he was so incensed that he would break
the performer's latest record, on the air. Crack! The
deed was done, and in the following hours, many of his
loyal followers flooded the phone lines with calls of
thanks and congratulations for protecting the community
from such a filthy collection of rubbish. The announcer
became a hero, and there could have been honours in the
making, if he had lived in a monarchy!
Occasionally, a personality can be noticed who is very
proud to be found qualified as a hero. In fact, it is
sometimes found that the person is saturated by self
love. There is a faction of those who have followers
who could not possible love them any more than they love
themselves. In common language, we are talking about
someone who sees himself as being far above everyone
else.
A short few
months after the community hero had taken bows for his
performance, he entered the building with those
sunglasses. The self proclaimed bastion of morality had
been in a bar, and had insulted the girl serving
drinks. He became obnoxious, and was greeted with the
fist of the piano player! The reason for the sunglasses
was obvious. He had a black eye! Strangely, no one
announced that over the airwaves!
This man's
love of himself is too far, but it is a polar opposite
to some who have no self esteem or self respect. These
are qualities which can be lost in the shuffle of life,
and can be stripped away by the uncaring treatment of
others. If we can find a balance in our being, we can
overcome those things which hold us hostage to the
cruelties of the world, and can drain our spiritual
resources to the point of resign. There is within every
person a capacity to build the proper self esteem,
without taking us to the limit of what we could see as a
"superiority complex." It also has a capacity to take
us out of a feeling that we are inferior, without
allowing us to reach the sublime heights of imagined
perfection, or to the need to give a portrait of what we
want others to think of us. The capacity we have is one
which allows us to be happy as we are, and happy with
who we are, rather than reaching for the fulfilment of
our envy of others. Dark glasses are not required!
Yeter and
Ilkay were a mother and daughter in London, whom we met
in 1999. They were Kurdish refugees from Turkey, with a
sad history. Yeter had a college degree, and had been a
car designer in Turkey. Being Kurdish, they were
considered to be politically subversive. A few years
before we met them, Yeter's husband was assassinated by
the Turkish government forces. Yeter had taken Ilkay
and fled the country, going west to Germany for
political asylum. While there, they were refused leave
to remain, and were ordered back to Turkey.
Instead,
some family in England loaned them funds to hire a truck
driver to hide them in his truck, and get them into
England as stowaways. When they were into the country,
the driver let them out in the countryside in southeast
England. The weather was cold and dreary, and they made
their way to London, where they located family. While
there, they applied for leave to remain in England, but
there was a problem.
The Dublin
Agreement made it unlawful for a country to receive
asylum seekers who had been refused in another country.
The third country involved was required to return them
to the second country, which would have been Germany.
Only one day before they were scheduled to be deported,
their cousin brought them to us for help. We were able
to locate a lawyer who took up their case and put the
issue on hold.
For the next
six years, we were involved in a struggle with the
British government in trying to keep them from being
deported. In 2005, the struggle was finally won. Yeter
and Ilkay were granted permission to remain in England
as permanent resident status. It was not without being
deeply scarred.
In addition
to the traumatic circumstance of their flight from
Turkey and Germany, the ladies were to suffer terribly
in England as well. When we met them, they were not
full of confidence. They were terribly worn by the
constant turmoil that had infiltrated their lives. They
had lost their self esteem and self confidence, and
could find no self worth. In attempts to deport them,
the British Home Office had directed a raid against
their home, and they lost everything they owned. Worse
things were to come.
It was a law
in England that the government could not deport a child
travelling alone. In this consideration, Yeter
attempted suicide, knowing that Ilkay would not be
forced to leave. She preferred to die rather than to
see Ilkay returned to more hostile territory. It was an
unsuccessful attempt, and Yeter was hospitalized for a
period of time. This did nothing to help her self
image.
Over the
time, it was our joy to lead Yeter and Ilkay to Jesus, a
move which naturally disconnected them from Muslim
family members. They witnessed the kindness of God
through His people, and wanted to become part of His
grace. We baptized them, and they became members of our
church, active in every way. After leaving London for
our time in Peacehaven, Yeter and Ilkay became the only
London members who ventured the trip to attend our
services on the south coast. They phoned us repeatedly
when we had returned to our home country! Their self
image was restored, and they were family!
Not all
situations are this dramatic, and not all would take
this number of years for a resolution. One thing is
certain. Once a self image has been eroded through
traumatic circumstances, it is a long process to renew
the healthy image that God has provided for His people.
He has included the equipment within us which will
identify with Him, if we respond to His grace. We are
created in the image of God, but the fall of Adam and
Eve affected that image. After the fall, when Seth was
born, it is said that Adam fathered a son "in his own
image, after his own likeness." The race was fallen,
and outside God's regenerating power, was dead in sins
and trespasses. Since God is living, He is separate
from death. Yet, some of those qualities remained.
Even in our
fallen state, we are endless beings. This does not mean
eternal, because we had a beginning. We are "immortal,"
and will exist throughout eternity future. Our body can
be destroyed, but the soul will live on, and cannot be
annihilated. Not only are we endless beings, but we are
made like the trinity, with a body, soul and spirit.
Then, we also possess capabilities of intellect,
emotion, ability to decide and a moral nature. This
makes us moral, spiritual and rational creatures. With
the new life of regeneration given by the Lord, we are
restored to the image of God, with the possibility of a
fully healthy self image.
Regardless
of our standing in Christ, we are still capable of sin,
and are sinners saved by grace. There is no reason
available that should lead us to think that we are
somehow above others, or that we have "arrived."
Likewise, we have every reason to believe that God has
done so much for us, and allowed us the possibility of
retaining our self image as He installed within us.
If any of
God's servants could have been downhearted, it could
have been David. He had become a national hero to
Israel after slaying Goliath, only to find that he had
then inherited a new nemesis, King Saul. Following this
era, and into his own Kingdom, he would then experience
the heartache of Absalom's rebellion, and run for his
life. His own problems in the matter of Bathsheba and
Uriah would haunt him, but he would be the one who would
be called, "the man after God's own heart." David had
enough of a struggle to keep him humble, but also enough
encouragement to keep him from a poor self image. He
also had a very colourful life!
No matter
our station in life, there will be struggles. We will
have times in which we wonder whether tomorrow will
come, and if it does, we dread to see it, knowing that
it is full of more trouble. Nevertheless, the sun will
shine again, and we have the capacity to overcome all
fears, and rebuild our self image. If we know the Lord,
then we are His, and children of the King. This is
enough to just be happy being who we are. It is part of
the colourful life we have, through all its twisted and
tangled pathways. It is certainly a colourful maze to
go through!
Chapter Seven
Something Besides a Pancake
"Pancakes!
If we have pancakes one more time, I'll scream!" Just
imagine hearing this being said after a nice breakfast
meal. Having any kind of food should be a great
blessing. Is there ever a reason that we should be so
adamant against having a repeated menu for breakfast, or
any other meal? Perhaps this is best answered by
knowing the situation.
Each of us
depends on someone else for certain things in life. In
the home, one of the dependencies is usually on food.
According to the family schedule, it is often left to
one member of the family to make sure that everyone has
a meal on the table. Life is hectic, and it is a great
blessing to receive the bounty from the hand of one
faithful to provide a bite to eat. Imagine what would
happen, if we can, in having the same menu every day.
Our mind can
go to the beginning of a week, on Monday morning. After
we have had a good sleep, and readied for work, we
approach the breakfast table, and find a nice treat of
pancakes. Such a great start to the week this will be!
As we carry on the normal morning conversations, it is
time to go to work. We collect our lunch kits for the
day, and out the door we go. Four hours later, we open
our lunch kits, and behold, we have a real treat! We
have, once again, pancakes! A bit disheartened, we gulp
down lunch, and get back to our task. At the end of the
day, our return home promises to be a proper end to a
long day away. It is now time for dinner, and we all
make our way to the table. The main dish is brought,
and again, it is pancakes! Can this be happening? We
were ready for a dish of lasagne, or fish and chips!
Never mind. Tomorrow is another day.
Tuesday
morning has arrived! It is time to rise, shower and
dress for work. Before we leave, breakfast is waiting.
Morning greetings are given, and thanks is given for the
bounty on the table. Eagerly, we wait for the
uncovering. To our surprise, again we find our day
starts with pancakes! Making our way through the
routine, we start to work and wait for lunch. Once
again, we have pancakes! After work and expectantly
arriving home, our evening meal is, to our surprise,
pancakes. If this routine should become the daily
normal, it would seem that all the variety of life would
be lost. It would overcome even those others things we
love to enjoy.
This is not
an imagined circumstance. It is one which was faced by
Israel after they left Egyptian captivity, under the
leadership of Moses. As they travelled into the barren
wilderness, some provision had to be made. God had
created a way for Israel to be fed in those hard times,
by having manna fall from the sky each night, onto the
fresh dew. It was a blessing to eat, but became the
equal of the story of pancakes. It was the same meal
every day and every meal, with no variety. The
murmuring would be evident. Life was no longer
colourful. The Bible
book of Numbers gives the account of this setting. The
first eleven verses of that chapter describe the time
that complaints were plentiful. From their words,
Israel said, "We remember the fish, which we did eat in
Egypt freely. The cucumbers, and melons, and the leeks,
and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is
dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna,
before our eyes" (Numbers 11:4-6).
Some of the
people decided to make the best of a bad situation, and
decided to make a change to the preparation method. In
their frustration, the Scripture says, "And the people
went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or
beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans" (Numbers
11:8).
Often in our
world, it is easy to become so accustomed to having the
colourful life that we forget to count our blessings
which we have received from the Lord's hand. It is not
wrong to enjoy variety, but when the Lord has given us
instructions and provided for our ability to carry them
out, He will expect us to operate in His economy, and
not our own. It is noted that Israel decided that the
manna was not good enough, so they changed the way it
was received.
Changes are
not always bad, but they can indicate deeper
resentments. In this case, Israel did resent the method
of provision, and gave a message of things to come as
they attempted to change the appearance and taste of the
manna.
In the Old
Testament, there are pictures (types) which point to the
Lord Jesus Christ. The manna is one of those pictures.
Jesus is represented by the manna as the bread of life.
In changing the manna, Israel is pictured as rejecting
Him, as their descendants later would in person. Their
changes included grinding it, a picture of the inner
grief that Jesus had in the rejection by His people;
beating it, which foretells what would be His reception
before His crucifixion in Jerusalem; and baking it in
pans, a picture of Jesus in the fire of God's
affliction, tasting death for His people. It is a
perfect picture of what would happen to Jesus, as
recorded in the Gospel accounts of His life.
Additionally, it can be seen in its most full rejection,
as Jesus was the perfect man, and His people wanted to
avoid His perfection. It was a normal part of His life
that those who were Israel's leaders would constantly
attempt to trick Him and falsely accuse Him at every
turn. The grief of this rejection is beyond the
comprehension of any man or woman today. We can only
identify with the message it gives.
It is most
usual that we have come to love the colourful life, with
all its variety and the ways we have of being able to
make it what we want. The Lord has accommodated us more
than He did for the people in the wilderness. Still
there are aspects of life and of the Gospel which can
never be changed to suit our desires. Life is colourful
enough. We have no need to change what has been decreed
by our God. He has given His best, and our task is to
glorify Him in drawing others to His love. His
provision is declared in one message for all time, the
death burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are many colourful presentations, but only One
Saviour for all.
Chapter Eight
Salt and Pepper, or Just Plain Grey?
Sometimes
the mirror is simply not our friend! The more time
advances, the less we have a chance of finding the magic
mirror which tells us how young we look. As well, a
mirror can sometimes have a lot of help from those who
are close to us. When we hear the first proclamation
that things are changing, and, "Hey! What is that I
see? A grey hair is...," then there is a mad dash to the
mirror, just to see for ourselves. When the traumatic
charge is confirmed, there is a sullen admission that
whether we like it or not, we are changing. This is an
event called "age." From this point, it is confirmed
that a mirror is not a friendly instrument.
There could
have been days and years in the past when the vanity
glass could have given a word of encouragement. For a
young man, it could be the first attempt at the removal
of hair, commonly known as shaving. For a young lady,
it might have been a first application of make-up, or
the first really special hair-do for the prom. These
are days the mirror is a real friend. It does not
always remain that way.
As the years
advance, there is a change in our appearance. One of
the most evident is in the hair. There is the standing
joke that, "If it doesn't turn grey, it will turn
loose!" That is a heavy thought, and sometimes fact.
Yet, we seldom think of it in terms of being a
blessing. The appearance of grey hair means that we
have lived a while, and have been granted experience in
many areas, and hopefully some wisdom for life's always
colourful situations. If we have the experience of hair
turning loose, or falling out, it could still be a
blessing. It is time to consider that it did at least
fall out, instead of having to be pulled out like teeth!
Occasionally
we find one who deals with the changes in another
manner. There are multitudes of products available
which wash out the grey, and restore the colour to what
is desired, giving the appearance of restored youth.
This is not necessarily bad, but is opposite to the
philosophy of one man who said, "I'm proud of my grey
hair! I had fun putting every one of them there, and I
earned it!" This is a positive view of the marks of age
coming naturally. If we have had a colourful life, it
will show in the early stages of salt and pepper hair,
and then in total grey.
The prophet
Hosea had something to say concerning the change of
colour. Speaking of Ephraim, he said, "...grey hairs are
here and there upon him, yet he knoweth it not" (Hosea
7:9). This is in reference to the failures of Israel's
leaders. Often, our ways of operation can become old
and stale, and show the marks of age before we realize
what has happened. It could be an advantage to have a
bottle of hair colouring for our aging institutions and
procedures, as well as for our natural hair!
Hosea's
message to Israel was plain, and there is every reason
that we should accept it for what it is today. The
aging process in Israel came about in a subtle manner,
with no thought for the fact that it was like the sight
of grey hair, showing that many of their actions had
become old. They were operating as always, with no
freshness in their step, and no growth, depending on
those who would come to the rescue. "Ephraim, he hath
mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not
turned" (Hosea 7:8). Thinking of the pancake
illustration, it can be imagined that Hosea is saying
that Ephraim was well done and dark on one side, and
still uncooked batter on the other, since the pancake
had not been turned over to cook on both sides. This
situation had become old to the Lord, and the grey hairs
were showing.
This is also
happening in the current world in western nations, such
as the USA and Britain. The systems have been employed
for so long that the grey hairs are showing. It
happened in Rome, Greece, Persia and Babylon, as well as
many other nations in history, so it is no phenomenon
for the modern age. On every hand we see political
corruption, financial instability, moral corruption and
many other severe troubles in the land. This can be
expected when the grey hairs are here and there upon us,
and we do not realize it.
Early 21st
century America experienced some traumatic events
including terrorism and the appearance of imminent
financial collapse. The cry for "change" came from
every quarter, but it should be remember that when a
system has aged and shows its grey hair, "the more
things change, the more they stay the same." A move
toward unity with other nations does not solve
problems. In fact, it is much like Hosea's prophecy in
regard to Ephraim, when the society "mixed himself among
the people." The outcome was not good, and cannot be
expected to be positive until the return of the Lord
Jesus Christ to reign on earth.
Several
steps can be taken on a personal level, in order to see
our condition as we must. The first sep is that we can
get acquainted with our own soul. In the modern world
we have taken the art of self interest to new heights.
It has become a strange thing to know our neighbours, or
to pay attention to things which are not "material."
While a scratch requires a doctor, Jesus is seldom
called when gangrene is found in the soul. It is as if
we do not want to see the decline.
A second
step is to know who we are. If we open a bank account
with $500, it is not a wise thing to write checks for a
total of $5,000. We usually realize that we have
available funds for only what we deposit. In the same
way, if we have a wound by a sword, we are not inclined
to cover it with a plastic strip, hoping it will go
away. We must understand who we are, and what our
condition is, if we are to restore the colour to our
life. This is an appeal to the Lord Jesus Christ, for
His grace and mercy. He has provided eternal life for
all who call upon Him. Getting to know who we are is
the only way to approach Him. We are sinners in need of
salvation, and He is the only way into the presence of
the Father. Often, our reluctance to admit our failures
and inabilities will keep the grey hair growing, and
will not allow us to humble ourselves in His presence.
Grey hairs could be here and there upon us, and yet we
do not know it.
If this is
the case, then a third step is needed to see our
condition. That step is simple, but requires boldness.
It is looking into a mirror. The only one available is
the mirror of truth, God's Word. As we visit its pages,
we can find that we will see a need for grief over our
own sin nature, and then need our for repentance. As
well, there are times when the Lord Jesus Christ is
slandered by others in our presence. When we are
looking in the mirror of the Word, we will find that it
produces another kind of grief, that our Lord is the
object of hatred by some. This should not be a humorous
event to us, when we recall that Jesus wept over
Jerusalem. He did not laugh over it. The mirror will
also cause us to count no sin as "minor." We would not
take just a little poison, so we should not form the
opinion that there is just a small sin.
When we have
viewed our true condition in the mirror, a fourth step
will take us to prayer and duty. One ancient pastor
described prayer as something like a coastal town which
was a port. When the town sees decay, the ships come
less and less, until there are no ships at all. It is
like this in the Christian life. When we have decayed
to a certain point, we are inclined to reduce our
prayer. This could be marked by a decline in the
delight we have when we hear the Word of God
proclaimed. It is our delight and our duty to stay in
God's Word, and to pray.
There are
also other steps which we can take in order to restore
the colour to our life. One is in the daily examination
of our hearts before the Lord. It is beneficial to find
out where we actually are in our walk with the Lord. We
must be certain that we have the real thing, and are not
caught in the trap of nominal religion. The salvation
offered by Jesus is a personal relationship to Him,
making us a child of God, born and adopted into His
family. In the Roman Empire, natural born children were
also adopted in order to assure their inheritance. It
is the same in the Lord's family.
One further
step requires supplication. This is a daily diligent
seeking for the power of Christ to live as He has
instructed. It is not a participation in the weakness
of religion in many of its forms and structures.
Knowing the Lord Jesus Christ is personal, and is a
guarantee of granted communion with the Saviour
Himself. It is not a relationship which can be created
by others for us. One great evangelist was dealing with
the husband of a woman who knew the Lord. The husband's
response was that his wife was a Christian. The
evangelist answered him, saying, "It will do you no good
to be an in-law to Jesus!"
Every form
of religion will lose its youth when it grows old
without Jesus as the focus of its attention. There will
first be the appearance of the salt and pepper hair when
it begins to turn, and finally the system will go full
grey. It is this way in religions and in churches, as
well as in nations, when the wear of years causes us to
live on established history, rather than a vibrant
growth within ourselves. It is also this way in human
life as we grow in years, and develop the marks of age.
Young people sometimes live as though there will be an
escape from the process. Yet, no one can escape the
ticking clock. It is always running at the same rate,
as it has throughout history. Life does not have to be
either salt and pepper, or full grey. It is as
colourful as it can be at any stage, and there are ways
to keep a freshness in it. With Jesus as the centre of
life, it is never dull!
Chapter Nine
Keeping it Colourful
"Wouldn't
you just know that would happen to me on my first day on
the board!?" Life is full of embarrassing moments.
When those moments are exposed to thousands of people at
one time, the shame becomes more intense. Public
broadcasting is one of the avenues from which many such
times have come. Remembering those times is easy. An
attempt to forget them is impossible!
It happened
on the first day of a new task. Having experience as a
radio announcer in secular radio, a new life in Christ
brought a new look at life in the world. The move to a
powerful Christian radio station should not have been a
traumatic experience, and it did hold many great
memories, but the beginning was less than glorious.
Getting to know a new system and operation can be
tricky. Some of the knobs, buttons and dials look the
same, but they can be used for different purposes in
different stations.
Jack was the
incumbent afternoon announcer at the new station, but
was moving on to another job, leaving his spot vacant.
He had agreed to stay on until he could train a new
personality. It was a pleasure to meet Jack, and in the
week under his guidance, he gave a new insight to some
much needed thoughts about working in Christian radio,
compared to a secular style. The day Jack gave up the
microphone, he started the lessons, staying close in
case anything went wrong. He had his hands full! It
was a colourful memory!
Thousands of
people listened to the station, a 50,000 watt AM station
in an area full of churches and Christians. Knowing the
music content could have helped, but this was a new
experience, and required learning. The first record
chosen was a production by Doug Oldham and the Spear
family, "I Just Feel Like Something Good Is About to
Happen." At least the title was encouraging. The
experience would be the opposite.
The
turntable was set, and the record was pushed off. As
the music began, I turned off the microphone switch and
sat still. The words began, the same as the song title,
I just feel like something good is about to happen.
Then, another voice rang out saying, "You know Ben, I
feel the same way." When a microphone is switched on,
it kills the sound in a studio. Believing that the
wrong switch had been turned, I reached back and turned
the switch back on! Slamming the headphones down on the
table, my quote was, "Wouldn't you just know something
like that would happen in my first day on the job!"
Strangely, there was no sound in the studio. The
realization came that the microphone was on again, and
every word had blocked out the music going over the
airwaves! The voice which addressed my name was
actually in the record! It was Doug Oldham, with a part
of the song that required talking, and the lead singer
of the Speer family was Ben Spear! All illusions of Jack
speaking my name were dashed, and the mistake was made.
It was a memorable mistake, and made for a colourful
recovery.
The recovery
from this mistake was short lived, and Jack was laughing
hysterically. In a calm manner, we gathered our
thoughts and started to prepare the next record on the
other turntable. The new record would be produced by
the Lanny Wolfe Trio, a fine song called "I Keep Falling
In Love With Him." It had several seconds of
introduction music before the singing would begin, so
there was time to segue the records, allowing the
previous one to finish, pushing the other one off as it
did, and read a weather report while the introduction
music was playing.
As Oldham
and the Spears built their music to a climax ending, all
being prepared, listening for the stinger ending, the
Wolfe song was launched and the music began to play. As
it played, I started the weather forecast with a welcome
to the station and an introduction of my name. Just
then, it was realized that the Oldham & Spear record had
a false ending! Once again, they launched into the
finale of their song! At that time, there were two
records playing, several people singing, and I continued
to read the weather forecast until confusion reigned!
Jack heard the confusion, and gently came forward to
eradicate two of the sources of what was certain to have
been an irritation to the audience. Through his
guidance, no further mistakes were made. It is good to
have a calm hand in the midst of destruction!
The actions
of this kind of memory are very unpleasant when we are
in the midst of the experience. The embarrassment,
frustration and loss of confidence are enough to allow
us to consider that we are in the wrong place, for a
time at least. However, those times are part of what
creates a colourful life. If we are expected to go
through life considered "perfect" by our peers, we will
fall short of the mark at every stop. There are some
who wish for the world to consider them perfect, but it
is only an illusion. Our true self is not always seen
in public, but each person knows the failure when we are
behind the closed door.
Sharing our
imperfections with others is one way to make life more
colourful, for us and for others. We have all felt
impending doom. We have all felt the hammer of wrath
come down upon our heads. We have all felt the
embarrassments afforded by life, and there is no need to
pretend that we are the exception to the rule. Honesty
and truth are premiums as we deal with others. By our
candid approach, we can open thoughts to other people,
and allow them to consider the value of their own
testimony. If we have lived any time at all on earth,
then we have experienced victory and defeat. How great
we are is not as important as what we can mean to
others.
Questions
are created in this area, concerning our openness to
share everything we have done. Certainly we are to
confess our faults to one another, as we seek to cancel
our offences to others. However, there is no value in
confessing all the sins committed in our lifetime,
except to our God. Our confession is made from our
heart to the Lord, and He promises forgiveness for our
agreement that we have sinned against Him (I John 1:9).
We have a High Priest in Heaven, to whom we have access
by His own blood. We have no authority on earth who can
forgive eternally, when we have sinned. We do actually
have many on earth who will hold those against us, if we
share the load!
One
evangelist was speaking in a meeting, and using some of
his life experiences and failures as illustrations for
his message. He related that in his early life he had
taken some things which did not belong to him, and had
been convicted that he should return and make
restitution to the one he had wronged. Usually a good
illustration, it backfired on him, when another
evangelist who heard the message approached him
following the meeting. He told the man that his theft
was a disease like any other, and that if he had been a
thief, then he still was, and could be trusted by no
one. The two men never spoke again. The honesty of
one, who had repented and given restitution, caused
another to hold the sin against him, which God had
forgiven. In such a case, it can be expected that there
are always those who are unforgiving, even when the sin
is not against them.
Even if it
is better to not expose our entire catalogue of sin, it
is still valuable to give an account of our life
experiences in victory and in defeat, in success or in
failure. This approach is guaranteed to keep the
attention of others who can identify with what some have
been through in life. As we apply it to Scripture and
what God has done in our own life, it becomes a
testimony to others. This is a more adequate
presentation for some, when we consider that the name
"hypocrite" is used for those who proclaim truth.
Preaching on
the streets in London for several years is no easy
task. Early on, we did notice that there were others
who did that. Listening to many, we found that they all
had one thing in common, and that was a tendency to
point an accusing finger in the direction of those who
listened to them. They would point at certain people,
and name specific sins, without even knowing the people
to whom they were preaching. From this action, they
also had another thing in common. The reaction to their
message left them on the street alone! No one responded
to their appeals, feeling that it was a condemnation
meeting, with no appeal of kindness, and only an attack
in anger.
When we
started our preaching campaigns, we did the opposite.
We covered the same issues and the challenge was
evident, but we presented it differently. When we made
accusations of sin, we identified ourselves as the
sinner, stopping short of naming specific trespasses in
our personal life. We constantly gathered crowds of
fifteen to fifty people, and some were inclined to stay
after the message for a talk. Some made professions of
faith as a result of this method. These are days that
we miss tremendously, and that we value greatly in
remembering the more colourful times in life.
We can
indeed present ourselves, even in our foolishness and
from our negative times, to make a statement which will
be remembered long enough to carry an important point
into the hearts of others. When we share ourselves,
imperfections and all, we are inviting others to live
with us for a while, and hopefully revealing that life
can be colourful in any and all circumstances. It is
part of having a life message, and learning to reach
others as the Apostle Paul was challenged, to be "all
things to all men." Our experiences are ours alone, but
can be given to others to make a difference in their
lives. How much we share is up to us, but many can
share in a more colourful life when we share. Every
person has a colourful repertoire which can be shared.
It is all part of keeping it colourful.
Chapter Ten
Life Was Good, Even Plain Vanilla!
No, it is
not over yet! As long as we can breathe, life can still
be colourful. Oscar Wilde was an eccentric writer who
left many stories and quotes which have been used for
many years, and are still popular. It is noted that
before he died, his last words were, "Either that
wallpaper goes, or I do!" Such a thought, for one who
was about to enter eternity and meet his Creator.
However, he left this world in the same frame of mind
which took him through life! He was a colourful writer,
and a memorable one.
As life goes
forward, conversations about "retirement" are
inevitable. We have noticed that there are varied
settings for those who retire. Some decided to travel
and enjoy other places. Some just want to sit still and
wait for the end. These are the two extremes, but there
are other ways to treat it. Instead of waiting to
"retire," it would be better to "re-tread!" As long as
there is life, there are things to do, and an impact can
be made in the lives of others.
Remembering
younger days, the most dominant flavours of ice cream
were chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, and a
combination called "Neapolitan." In later years,
several other flavours began to appear, until a time
when the market is flooded with all types of exotic ice
cream varieties. Even in the early years, when life had
become the same in all situations, many people described
life as being "plain vanilla." We could have seen it
that way, but it was more than that. Even vanilla ice
cream has flavouring! The lack of physical colour as
compared to other varieties is no hindrance in vanilla
providing its colourful taste.
Whether life
seems to be standing still or advancing at a rate faster
than we can keep up, there are colourful events to be
remembered. The performances provided by others will
create a lifetime of memories when our own actions are
silenced, but never mind, there is more of life ahead,
in which we will be able to take the stage and bestow
many warm imaginations for others. There are ways to
make certain that we will have our own repertoire of
thoughts, as well as leaving ourselves for others.
One
requirement for the building of memories is that we must
give up our comfort zone. Each of us has a created area
in which we are the most comfortable. It is our own
private little world in which we exist, and in which we
are the ruler. The comfort zone is intended to be our
retreat in any circumstance, where we may withstand the
assaults and aggressions of the world. It becomes
easier to shut out the troubles if we have a place which
is all our own, or which we share with others. However,
in our comfort zone, it should be noted that it is a
place reserved for us, with others banned from the
territory! It is our kingdom, which we rule with
diligence, allowing no opposing force to enter. Sure
enough, it is safe. No other person will enter, or help
us create memories.
If our
comfort zone is invaded, we feel threatened. The space
is not intended for other influences, and it is certain
that no memories will be made, and that no colour will
fill the spaces we hold. In order for us to enjoy a
colourful life, it is necessary to break out of the
place where we believe that we cannot be hurt. Leaving
our comfort zone will allow us to develop not only
ourselves, but others whom we touch. Isolation keeps us
from the colour of life.
It is
amazing that a comfort zone can be anywhere. We can
have one at home, at work, at school, at play or
anywhere we feel the most safe. It is not a
contradiction of terms to include places where others
may be, and to use the term "isolation." We can isolate
ourselves when surrounded by a crowd. We could be one
who prefers to go to a large church, because it is easy
to get lost, and we will never be challenged to action.
We could be isolated in our workplace when we do not
reveal our true self to fellow workers. It is very
possible to live a sheltered life, even if we are
surrounded by people.
Closely
related to leaving our comfort zone is the need to take
a risk. Plainly stated, life is a risk every way and
every day. Each time we venture forth to the most
common of tasks, we take a risk. There could be a form
of danger thrown into our path, or we could face an
unseen peril in normal life situations. Still, we take
the risk.
In our
church in Peacehaven, England, a large exhibition was
planned for a Saturday afternoon. During the course of
the day, a man collapsed and died just outside the main
sanctuary. This was a tragedy which affected all who
witnessed it, but there was nothing which could be done,
and it was inevitable, due to his continuing heart
condition. There is no place that is safe from tragedy
in this world. Taking a risk is necessary. The man who
died was busy about the work of doing what he loved, and
finished his life that way.
The
consequences are not always so dramatic. As we consider
building a colourful life, the risk we take is only one
which is reaching out to others. There are two things
that cause us to not want to take a risk. One is anger,
and the other is fear. When we present ourselves to
others, we fear the reaction we can get. Also, we do
not care to face an angry response, and we can almost
become angry just thinking about being rejected, even
before it happens. Rejection is common, and all people
have experienced it in one form or another. Overcoming
that rejection is the only way to find peace, and the
only way to overcome is to take a risk. It is our fear
that prevents us from leaving our comfort zone, and fear
also prevents us from risking our hearts on others.
Yet, it is the only way to live a colourful life, made
of memories.
At the end
of this life, our main objective is to hear from the
lips of our Lord, "Well done, thou good and faithful
servant." If there are any accolades to be had from our
fellow servants, the most pleasing that we could hear
them say is that we shared with them in a colourful
life, when we abandoned our comfort zone, and put
ourselves at risk in order to create a colourful life
with them. Life was good, even plain vanilla!
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