Are We Ready?

Have you ever had one of those moments that you just knew was God-arranged? A chance meeting in the street, a telephone call or a knock on the door, when all of a sudden you were alerted by the sense that it was a divine appointment.

You don't know why, but you just know that it is important, different, significant. It may be that you just have to drop everything and give that person your whole attention and listen with your whole being. He or she may be waiting for a word of direction, encouragement or comfort. Alternatively, they may have something to say to you, if you have ears to hear. They may not realise that, but suddenly, a word brings clarity to something you have been wrestling with and seeking an answer to for a long time. Whatever it is, God who sees the big picture, has brought you together for that brief moment for some purpose!

One thing I am sure of, is that these 'divine appointments' occur when I least expect them and usually when I consider it most inconvenient. If I am resting in God and in tune with Him at the time, I just may drop everything and give that person and God my full concentration. The danger is that I may fail to recognise the God-given opportunity and make my excuses and get on with my own agenda. In that case, one or both of us may miss out on a blessing or worse.

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus is coming again and that there will be no mistaking when that happens. It will be abundantly clear and we will need to drop everything. We are told of world events, such as wars, conflict, terrorism, financial meltdown and environmental disasters that are pointers to this second coming. All these signs are now on the increase and seem to indicate this could be very soon. Even next week, next year? We don't know. We have no need to be alarmed or fearful, but we do need to be ready.

Do we really know we belong to Jesus and are we walking with Him in intimacy and obedience? Is there bitterness, anger or unforgiveness in our lives or other issues that are unresolved? Time is short.

"For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. - So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Matthew 24:27 and 44 New International Version

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Bind Us Together?

Years ago I read "Miracle on the River Kwai *," a gripping book that made a considerable impression upon me. It was a true account of life in a prison camp on the infamous Death Railway in Burma during World War 2. In the midst of the hellish, disease-ridden, tortuous conditions, prisoners were bound together with love, forgiveness, sacrifice and faith. This 'church' triumphed over the evil and persecution that was their daily experience.

I have not know this kind of suffering, but have known from time to time, the kind of fellowship between those of us who have experienced brokenness of one kind or another. This is the kind of fellowship that transcends denomination, forms of worship or institutional structure. It is a 'oneness' that is very precious.

I have sung the chorus, "Bind us together Lord -" many times, with feeling. But you cannot make that sort of unity happen, you have to want it. On one occasion we had been discussing teaching on the Biblical reference to being built together as 'living stones.' One person remarked "I don't think I want to be built with you lot!" There was a tinge of humour in the remark, but I valued their openness and honesty in having the courage to say what was also on my mind.

In some areas, churches have got together to hold 'united' services or activities. I am sure there is value in that, but I don't believe that unity can be organised. In truth God has already made the provision - we are one in Jesus Christ - and it is He that does the gathering. We can only enter in, to the degree that we have allowed Jesus into our lives and responded in obedience.

Real unity is hard work and involves opening our lives to God and one another, a willingness to face confrontational issues, putting our wishes to one side for the sake of the 'community' and exercising a degree of acceptance and forgiveness which 'they' do not deserve.

Perhaps we should sing "Bind us together Lord - but go easy on us!"

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:3 New International Version

* I believe the book may have been republished by Zondervan.

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Stability in a Changing World

"I am the LORD, and I do not change" Malachi 3:6 Good News Bible

Things can never stay the same, but change in our lives and the world can have an unsettling effect upon us.

I used to like having things cut and dried and in order around me. It gave me a feeling of safety. I do like change though, especially if I have arranged it myself and it's enjoyable. However, if it comes out of the blue, out of my control and involves going into unknown territory, it can be scary. I may even find my inner security threatened.

My wife and I have experienced a number of events over the last two or three years, that could have ended in disaster or even tragedy. Thankfully God brought us through and I believe we are stronger because of it. It did however, reveal that I still have some weakness in the area of anxiety and I need to look to God to strengthen me in that department.

The whole world is changing and not necessarily for the good. Global warming seems to be having a drastic effect upon weather patterns, with forest fires, tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes and famine. We just cannot learn to live with one another and as a result there are civil wars, ethnic cleansing, suppression, human abuse and terror attacks. Financial crisis, property repossessions and unemployment, may be nearer to home. The list seems endless. These things may not impinge directly upon our lives, but we can't escape the overall consequences. Even thinking of these things, has the potential to engender fear in our hearts.

Thankfully, there is One who does not change. God is always the same. The world may seem to be collapsing around us, but He is always steady. He is our Rock, our true Foundation. Cleave to Him, surrender to Him, walk with him, stay close to Him and we will share in His stability in a changing world.

He must weep over what He sees in the world, but He waits .... patiently .... with open arms.

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