There are two extremes that just can’t seem to meet in the middle during this Christmas Season – Hurrying and resting. So many people spend a lifetime hurrying up to get somewhere only to find that they have to wait when they get there. Have you ever been late to a doctor’s appointment and then after rushing to get there you find they are running behind? Then you spend the next hour just sitting and waiting patiently thinking of all the things you need to do. Then the nurse comes and calls out your name. The mention of your name never sounded any better after waiting for so long. In preparing for Christmas parties, concerts, services, shopping, decorating, and eating of course, it is easy to leave no room for margin. Jumping from one event to the next and just barely making it through seems to be a common occurrence for people these days. I don’t want to say that these things are not important but there has to be better timing for some of the things that I feel I need to do. Saying “yes” to some things is saying “no” to other things that may be important. The book of Ecclesiastes talks about there being a time for everything. It doesn’t say that I have to do everything.
2 Peter 3:8-14 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Peter reminds us that God’s timetable is not the same as ours. He is not bound by space or time. During Advent we watch and wait for the Lord’s coming. If God seems slow about coming to us, that is only because God is giving us more time to be ready. What are you going to do with more time? It’s always the right time when you spend it serving others and sharing with others what God has done for you. It’s always the right time when you spend it in holiness and godliness. It’s always right when you allow Jesus to be in you so much that He spills out on all things you are involved in. Just as I referred to being bumped into on Sunday, what will come spilling out is what you have been filled with. So don’t forget to spend time to allow the Lord to pour into in the midst of your schedule. As we finish up much needed shopping, remember to get on God’s timetable. What is it that He wants you to accomplish as we finish this blessed year He has provided? I am looking forward to a wonderful Sunday with our choir and orchestra. May the God of peace interrupt your goings on… Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike
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Rev. Mike McClurgSenior Pastor, Findlay First Church of the Nazarene Archives
March 2020
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