An Opportunity for Service

What comes to your mind when you drive by a nursing home or an assisted living facility in the community in which you live?  Maybe nothing comes to your mind.  Or maybe you think “Those poor people.  I sure hope my kids never put me in a place like that.”  I would suggest that these homes are filled with opportunities – opportunities for you and me to serve others.  You might argue, “But, I can’t do anything.  I wouldn’t know what to do.”  Think about this:

• Can you read?  That’s wonderful.  Come and read to me.  I can’t see well enough to read any more.
• Can you write?  That’s fantastic.  Come and write a note for me.  I can’t hold a pen in my hand and I would like to share my greetings with someone I love.
• Can you walk?  Beautiful.  Come and push my wheelchair to different rooms where I live or outside if it is warm.
• Can you hear?  Wow.  Come and listen to some stories I have to share.
• Can you sing?  Wonderful.  Come and sing to me and I’ll follow along as best I can.
• Can you play dominoes or checkers.  That is great.  Come and play with me because many do not take the time.
• Can you talk?  Good deal.  Come and tell me about your family and your work.

Remember, the senior adults who live in these communities are people.  They have contributed to society and have made a difference in this world.  Where they live is “home” and you are invited to come.  Come and do what you can.  Some day you may live in one of these communities and you will certainly want someone to come to spend some time with you.  As you come remember these words from the Bible, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10).

Where Can I Go?

When difficulties arise people want to know where they can go for a solution to their problems.  Many people turn to their doctor, some turn to pills and others turn to the Internet.  The individual going through a tough time may have a “best friend” with whom they share some of their experiences, but somehow they still feel uncomfortable talking about the problem they face.  As a result, most people try to address the problem on their own.  When no answers come, they sit and worry.

The best answer to the question of where we can go lies in the chorus of an old gospel hymn.  The lyrics state:

Where could I go?/ oh where could I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to help me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord?”

It is sad that even those who name the Name of Christ, and call themselves a Christian, often fail to follow the good advice in this song.  Jesus answered the question with a gentle but direct invitation when He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).  There are four aspects to His invitation:

(1) Go to the divine source – “come to me” (Jesus).
(2) Benefit from what Jesus has to offer – “I will give you rest” and “you will find rest for your souls”
(3) Enjoy His gentleness – “I am gentle and humble in heart”
(4) Accept His help through the problem – “my yoke is easy and my burden is light”.

When difficulties beset you, don’t struggle on your own.  Turn to Jesus first, and let Him come alongside you to lighten your burden and help you endure.

Getting Slowed Down

One week ago I was slowed down considerably but learned some valuable lessons in the process.  It wasn’t the path that I would have chosen, but it transpired anyway.  How?  On my way out of work I slipped on ice and fell on my shoulder.  The pain was intense and I felt I had broken a bone.  After a trip to the Doctor’s Office, x-rays and discussion with an orthopedic surgeon, I was informed that I had an AC Separation.  Nothing was broken but I did need to have my arm in a sling and get some rest.  As a result of the accident, I have learned a number of things.

1)      Healing takes time.

2)      Extra rest is needed to stimulate the healing process.
3)      It is OK to ask others for help you when you need it.
4)      Modern technology and technicians are wonderful.
5)      Patience is necessary because others are not always able to help at a moment’s notice.
6)      Being slowed down gives you opportunity to reflect – particularly on what is really important including God, His Word and family.
7)      In spite of pain and inconvenience contentment is possible.

The last lesson reminds me of the Biblical expression of the Apostle Paul who said, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11).  To be content is to be happy, to be satisfied or to be at ease.  Notice that contentment is something that needs to be learned.   So far, through this incident, I have experienced contentment.  I was at ease, even when headed to the medical facility with the possibility of a broken bone and surgery.  God allowed me to be satisfied that He would take care of me, no matter what the outcome.

Maybe we need to slow ourselves down and learn the lessons that God may want to teach us without waiting for an emergency to slow us down.

Time for Rest

In the whirlwind of our fast-paced society it is sometimes difficult to stop or even slow down.  However, amid our hectic activity of work and service (no matter how good the service we provide) we need to program rest into our schedules.  Amid a very busy schedule for both Jesus and his disciples He said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).  There was a reason for his request; He needed rest, and they needed it.  You need rest too!  Notice several things about His comments:

(1) The invitation – “come.”
(2) The source – “with me.”
(3) The exclusivity – “by yourselves.”
(4) The destination – “to a quiet place.”
(5) The purpose – “and get some rest.”

Periodically we need to STOP.  Stop our activities – even good activities.  Stop our worrying – even thinking about concerns that may be good.  You can’t keep on working and serving without rest.  Here are some suggestions for you:

(1) Learn how to say “no.”
(2) On your day off – make sure you take time off.
(3) Go on a vacation – take all the time that you are allotted.
(4) Encourage your spouse or a friend to “come apart…and get some rest.”
(5) Ask God to help you rest as you should.

When you rest, you will be more effective in the work that you do and the service you render.  Just do it!

Old and New

How often have you heard the phrase “out with the old; in with the new”?  We so easily assume that the old is outdated and the new is much better.  For some things, that may be true.  For example, I would not want to bring back the old way of writing a letter – either by hand or with a typewriter.  The computer, with all its capabilities, will do just fine; thank you.  However, some old things are extremely valuable.  People expend time and energy and even lots of money to become the owner of a relic.

Regarding the new, Jesus reminds us, “No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old” (Luke 5:36).  The Scriptures tell us that when a person puts his or her faith in Christ he or she becomes new.  It says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (II Corinthians 5:17).  We are also reminded to “Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

The Scriptures in the Old and New Testaments are old but they are extremely valuable.  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17).  About God’s Word, the psalmist said, “They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.   By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:10-11).

As we come to the end of the old year and enter the new, let’s make sure we “put off” or do away with only the old that does harm.  But let’s also make sure that we “put on” that which edifies and builds us, and others up.

Thankfulness

“What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you thanked God for today?”  This is an interesting question, isn’t it?  It probably goes without saying that we so easily get into the rut of thinking that things will pretty much be the same today as they were yesterday.  However, if you are honest with yourself, you could most likely count on one hand what you thanked God for yesterday.  If it were not for the grace of God we would be woefully lacking in many of the necessities of life.

The Thanksgiving season is usually the time of year when people are encouraged to express thanks, at least in some manner.  In the Bible, the Apostle Paul gives this instruction: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).   And again, he says, “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything” (Ephesians 5:20).  These verses do not sound like the giving of thanks should be reserved for one season of the year.  Thanks to God ought to overflow from our hearts and spill out from our lips on a regular basis every day.  Let’s let the fruit of our lips be regularly expressed in thanksgiving to God.  Get ready; get set; give thanks.

Obsessed with Fast

People in our society are obsessed with speed.  We want fast food, fast internet hookup, fast response to questions, fast communication, and fast pain relief.  We want to lose weight fast, we want to get our news fast, we want wounds to heal fast, we want immediate solutions to problems, we want to make money fast, we want to learn how to play an instrument fast, and we want to get a loan fast.  We don’t’ like to wait in line at the grocery store or at the bank.  We go to a different gas station if there is a lineup at our favorite location.  If we have to wait a few seconds for our computer to boot up we head to the electronic store to get a newer faster one.

The problem is that fast is not always the solution to our difficulties. There are many things for which we have to wait such as time to get our driver’s license, for certain stores to open, for entering college, for the birth of a child, for the sun to come up, and for the seasons to change. None of these things come instantly, but require time and waiting.   Scripture suggests that we need to slow down.  The Bible says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Isaiah 46:10).  The Bible tells us to “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).   The Biblical instruction is to “Let all the earth be silent before him” (Habakkuk 2:20).   There is a time for silence.  There is a time for waiting.  Fast isn’t always the best.

When the Children of Israel had come out of Egypt they were anxious to celebrate the Passover.  But Moses was not in a hurry.  He said, “Wait, and I will listen to what the LORD will command concerning you” (Numbers 9:8).  The prophet Elijah was seeking the Lord, but he didn’t find him in that which was loud (like an earthquake) or that which was fast (like a raging fire).  Instead He found God in “a still small voice” (I Kings 19:12).  The next time you are anxious and want things “fast”, ask yourself, “What might I gain by waiting?  Wisdom?  Maturity?  A clearer sense of direction?  Waiting is good for us.  Are you willing to wait?