BBD 09.15.06 Waiting for the Click
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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09.15.06
Waiting for the Click
(In Remembrance of 9/11. Originally sent October 9, 2001.)
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. - 2 Timothy
3:1.
A woman who was a child during the Vietnam War remembered after the
September 11 attack what it was like for her during those dangerous times.
She remembers her mother telling her to listen for the "click." The noise
her mother called the "click" was soon followed by jets screaming across the
sky dropping bombs and the bone shaking explosions. If you heard the "click"
you knew what was going to happen and you ran for whatever cover you could
find.
We do not know what is going to happen next and there is great uncertainty
and anxiety not only in the United States but also across the world. We do
not know what is going to happen but we suspect that it will not be good.
How do we go on with life, what are we to do during such uncertain times?
The apostle Paul gives Timothy some advice, which is very much applicable to
our lives today. There are at least four things that we need to apply to our
lives as we move into the future listening for the "click."
First, we need to continue on with the work of God putting the supernatural
gifts we have been blessed with to work. The apostle says in 2 Timothy 1:6,
"Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God...." Now is not the time
to huddle in our foxholes. Now is the time to move forward for the Kingdom
of God. There have always been wars upon planet earth and peace is the
exception instead of the rule. Now is the time to step forward in service to
our Lord.
Second, we must not let our fears disable us from living the Christian life.
Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but
of power and of love and of a sound mind." Fear has already had a huge
negative impact on the economy of the world. In the United States hundreds
of thousands of people have joined the ranks of the jobless since September
11. The travel industry has been devastated and the effects will eventually
be felt throughout the economy. Another translation of 2 Timothy 1:7 says in
part, "For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice...." It will take
courage for us to live during these perilous times but God will provide the
power, love, and sound mind that we need to be courageous in the face of the
effect of evil.
Third, we must be willing to suffer for those who need our help. Paul says
in 2 Timothy 1:8, "Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,
nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel
according to the power of God." During these difficult times we must take up
our cross, deny ourselves and follow our Lord (Luke 9:23). The Christian
life is not just about the blessings that God gives to us, or the wonderful
way that we feel when we worship Him, or the fellowship we have with other
Christians. Sometimes we are called upon to go beyond the skin deep
Christianity and share in the sufferings for the gospel in order to help
those who so desperately need our help.
Fourth, we need to trust God for what will happen next. Paul shares with
Timothy, "For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not
ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to
keep what I have committed to Him until that Day (2 Timothy 1:12)." He is
"able" and as we move into the future listening for the "click" let us
remember to continue serving, continue living, take up our crosses and trust
God for what comes next.
Copyright © 2001-2006. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the
devotionals on a non-profit basis with source credited. The Burning Bush
website has been online since January 31, 1998. On June 8, 1998 the email
version of the Burning Bush Devotional was first sent.
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Thank you! Ed Wrather.
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