Wednesday, August 3, 2011

How Long Will This Take?


            Time is precious and putting our houses in order is difficult work. We never seem to have enough time. Schedules, agendas, and demands fly at us from every direction, and life often finds us pressed for time. Our plans get interrupted by demands we have no personal control over. When this happens to me, my first thought is: "Great! How long will this take?" It is not always easy to recognize what God is accomplishing with the surprises that find their way into our lives. So, before frustration gets the better of us we should learn to withhold judgment, and look for the blessing God intends. 

Psalm 106:2-4 “Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise? Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;” (KJV)

            Whether it's getting caught, by a traffic signal and losing valuable minutes, being drug in on a project that will steal weeks form our personal goals, or a Doctor visit that is a shocking reality check, interruptions are an inevitable part of life. Recently, I came face to face with a very problematic interruption that catches up with everyone at some point.

            Health fails and youth becomes a memory. The choices we make today will have a life-long effect. This is what happened. Thirty years ago I was told, "You are a borderline diabetic." Do you think I paid attention? Fifteen years ago I was told, "You have diabetes. Take this medication, follow this diet, and get some exercise." Still I made no real changes in behavior because medication, exercise, and special diets were an inconvenient interruption. Now what was an inconvenience has become a necessity.

2 Kings 20:1. 5, & 6 “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. … Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.” (KJV)


            Some of our choices will have eternal consequences. Using this health example from my life experience, can we find a spiritual application?

1 Peter 1:23-25 “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” (KJV)

            Personally I do not see myself becoming a “health nut” but, I must change my attitude toward health. God’s desire for us is that we be healthy, but unlike salvation which is a free gift, health is a work in progress.

3 John 1:2 “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (KJV)

                How long will it take? The truth is I don’t have any idea, but it is something worth working on. It is time to get both our physical and spiritual house in order. It cannot be accomplished without God’s Help.

1 comment:

  1. Russ, I thank God we are both working on our physical and spiritual houses together! God has blessed me by allowing us to share this path together.
    On a more serious note. I was surprised to read your blog - I really thought the houses to get in order were spiritual and physical - like the house we live in - since that has been one of our goals for some time. I really like your application - and it occurred to me that getting our home in order will benefit both our spiritual and physical bodies.
    Thank you for sharing!

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