FEBRUARY 2006
Dear Mt. Olive family and friends,
I’ve been wondering lately, what are we saving ourselves
for? I mean, is life like a dollar bill;
once you spend it, it’s gone? Or like a can
of pop; once you drink it, there is no more?
Forest Gump had it right.
Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to
get. But is life also like a box of
chocolates in that once you eat the last piece, the box is forever empty?
I don’t mean to sound philosophical, but if we have just so many
days, and if we “use up” our days in the same way as we empty a small box of candy,
then we would do well to live slowly, sparingly, cautiously. Our mom’s advice to spend our dollar
carefully because “once it’s gone, it’s gone,” would then be
wise counsel for living life also.
On the other hand, if life is like a cup that is continuously
replenished, then we can – and should – throw caution to the wind and live life
to the fullest – daringly, courageously, heroically.
What does God’s holy Word have to say about this subject? Plenty!
The Holy Spirit inspired St. Peter to warn us to “be vigilant” because
the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl and out to get us, (I Peter
5:8). The Bible tells us that our days
are numbered and our time is short.
My sense is that we Christians spend an inordinate amount of
time emphasizing the fact that we are to tread
carefully and cautiously, giving the impression, at least, that our motto for
life is “Better to be safe than sorry.”
What we tend to overlook is that immediately after Paul insisted
that we “be very careful” how we live, he went on to encourage us to “make the
most of every opportunity.” These are
not only the very next words that flowed from his inspired pen, but these words
clearly became the motto of his new life in the Lord. The whole second chapter of his life, in fact,
– now a missionary in the Lord’s army – was lived on the edge – daringly,
courageously, heroically. Armed with the Word of God and living each
day in the power of God, he turned the world upside down.
Jesus tells us that of any person who believes in Him, “streams
of living water will flow from within him.”
(
I hope you can appreciate this poem:
As I’ve told you before,
Life is not a journey to the grave
With the intention of arriving safely
In a pretty and well-preserved body;
But rather, to skid into heaven broadside,
Thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming:
“WOW! What a ride!”
Back to the original question: What are we saving ourselves
for? People all around us are dying
without Jesus and going to hell while our churches stand near-empty. Friends and neighbors face a Christless eternity and we stay silent. Loved ones wander from their Shepherd and we
refuse to draw them back for fear of what? That someone may not like us
anymore? That we may say the wrong
thing? That ___ (you fill in the blank.)
But what are we saving ourselves for? What are we saving our time, talents, and
treasure for? Our cautious, careful,
calculated approach to the Great Commission is clearly not saving souls. We’ve become fisherman who are content to
tell fish stories but who have lost the desire and yearning to fish.
What we need so desperately today are bold, daring, and
courageous Christians. Christians who truly believe in the Spirit’s power to refill and
replenish. Christians
who truly care about the lost, who have a burning passion for dead and dying
souls. Christians
who are willing to risk everything for the sake of the Gospel.
Pray for such Christians!
Pray that you be such a Christian!
Pray that you and your congregation be on fire for the Lord! Then be prepared for action!
Dear folks, what are we saving ourselves for?
Pastor Carl R. Henkel