"Just One Person"

How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. (Hebrews 11:32-34 NLT).

I enjoy reading the chapter of faith in Hebrews from time to time just to remind myself of how important just one person can be in the history and plan of God. Our reading today is a part of the long list of the writer telling of the incredible faith of men and women who made such a difference in history. Throughout the entire Bible whenever God had a job to do he called a person, and usually just one person. When he wanted to form a nation, the nation of Israel to be his own people, he chose and called Abraham. When he wanted to deliver the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, he chose and called Moses. When he wanted a leader to take the children of Israel into the Promised Land, he chose and called Joshua. When he needed an earthly mother for the Christ child, he chose and called Mary. When he wanted to take His message of grace to the Gentiles, he chose and called Paul. From Genesis to Revelation, God's methods are people, one at a time. You, too, can be one that God uses. As the unknown poet wrote:

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.
One life can make the difference,
You see it's up to YOU!

Some of you may be saying that you’re not as young as you once were. Perhaps you’re not as strong as you once were. Or, maybe you just simply don’t eel as good as you once were. I like the lyrics of Toby Keith’s song, As Good As I Once Was: “I ain't as good as I once was but I'm as good once as I ever was!” And once is often enough! Who do you need to make a difference for today?

"Traditions"

Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!" Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'" (Matthew 15:1-9 NIV).

Tradition can be a very good thing. In fact, it often provides a sense of foundation in many families and individuals. We have several family traditions that have been very important through the years. One of them is our annual gathering for Christmas. Because of the geographic differences we now experience, it has proven best to gather at David and Becca’s home for the fellowship and exchanging of gifts. It is always a great time! It provides a foundation for the family. There are other traditions in our family that are equally important and beneficial.

I also have some personal traditions that have been good for me. One of those is the wearing of my wedding and college rings. You will rarely see me without them. I know that the wearing of the rings do not make me more of a husband or an Aggie, but they provide a foundation for who I desire to be.

There are others, but the real point of today’s Morning Devotional is found in our reading. Jesus indicates the danger of holding to some traditions. These are those practices that keep us from truly doing the will of God. The Pharisees and teachers of the law condemned the disciples because they didn’t ceremonially cleanse themselves before they ate their meal. Jesus answered them with a question concerning their own practices. You see, they had conveniently chosen some of the laws to strictly observe while ignoring or twisting others to their benefit. Thus Jesus says the nullify the word of God.

I find we often do the same thing in our relationships with others, both in the church and outside the church. We have chosen some “pet” sins to magnify while letting others go unmentioned. You can fill in the blanks of which those are in your church! My point is not to condemn, but to lift the importance of practicing grace among one another. Every sin hurts us, but our focus should not be on condemnation, shame, or guilt. Our focus ought to be on forgiveness, grace, and freedom. Don’t merely honor God with your lips. Honor Him with your heart!

"By the Inch It's a Cinch"

No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. (Philippians 3:13-14 NLT).

I have heard it said many times that life is “hard by the mile, but a cinch by the inch. I remember reading some years ago how Vince Lombardi had often been described as the greatest football coach in modern times. He was a tremendous motivator. Before a group of sportswriters, he was once asked to explain why the Green Bay Packers won so many ball games. Everyone was expecting some profound insight into the complexities of the game of football and the unique genius of a coach who was about to unravel the mysteries of his success. Instead, his response was simple and straightforward:

Football is a game that requires you to move the ball 10 yards in four attempts. Football games are not won on 50-yard pass plays or 90-yard running plays. They are won by moving the ball 10 yards in four attempts. The other team will do everything in its power to prevent you from achieving this. So it is a game of who's best prepared. Who wants to win the most, and who never loses sight of the fact that all you have to do is move the ball 10 yards at a time.

Vince Lombardi was a winner because he never lost sight of the importance of the principle of by the inch it’s a cinch. Lombardi wasn't saying that we shouldn't have worthwhile goals. Not at all. His goal was to win football games. Our goal as Christians is to win at what God calls us to be and do. And that isn't achieved overnight. It's steady perseverance, year in and year out. As with the Apostle Paul, we don't win the prize from God until our life's work on earth is done.

I like the way the Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:9-10 NLT).

Perhaps its time for you to take smaller bites of life and realize that your steady progress toward your goal is getting you closer and closer to the ultimate prize of eternal life!

"Fold Me Closer"

Jesus said, “His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'” (Matthew 25:23 NIV).

The title is not a typographical error. I really did mean to say, “fold” me closer. It comes from an old hymn that I ran across recently. It was written in 1900 by Leila N. Morris. The title of the hymn is Sweet Will of God. The song is a treasure trove of insight. I hope you will Google the lyrics and look at them. The chorus goes like this:

Sweet Will of God, Still fold me closer, 'till I am wholly lost in Thee.
Sweet Will of God, Still fold me closer, 'till I am wholly lost in Thee.

When I first read it, I thought the lyric must have been "still hold me closer". It would be one thought to be hidden in the hollow of God's hand, protected from the challenges and difficulties of this world. But the word is fold. And, this is a very different thought. It reminds me of Origami. If you've ever done or seen origami done, it is a very complex folding. A flat sheet of paper, in the hands of someone more skilled than I, is conformed to the shape of an elegant bird. There are places where the folds or the turning of the paper is not easy as though the paper would consciously fight against its reconfiguration. What Leila Morris is expressing is the desire to have God reshape her. Not her body, but the essence of who she is - her spirit. It is a complete reshaping as well… 'Till I am wholly lost in Thee. What an amazing expression of what is the ultimate goal of our faith, to be so completely conformed to God and His perfect will as to become invisible that we would perfectly reflect the Lord we serve.

It is not a simple journey, nor is it sporadic. It is a life long journey. There are awards given that mean more than others. Not to diminish any effort, but there are recognitions like the lifetime accomplishment awards that are given near the end of the Academy Awards. The people who are given these awards can only be considered after decades of work in the field of film making. This is an example of a very special moment in someone's life. To receive this kind of recognition must be both heartwarming and very humbling. If Jesus were to appear to us as we are today, I doubt any of us would be standing. We would be face down in the blinding light of His glory. But, with His patience and my slow surrender, my hope is to be conformed to His will. Even that will only be perfected when I shed this flesh and I see His face. And the life journey to understand the will of God will be complete. It is a journey of a thousand miles taken one step at a time. Our part is to keep walking toward home following the Shepherd's voice and trusting in His strength, grace and mercy. At the end of it all is not some golden statue. At the end of it all is the voice of the Master saying, “Well done!” Now that’s worth being folded!