What's the Point?

     Have you ever wondered what's the point in waiting for something, when it would be so easy to spend a little more of your resources or energy just to get it "right now"? I mean, why not? I get to have it sooner. Thus experience the happiness that comes from it in a much more "timely fashion". It makes perfect sense does it not? Or does it not...? In this world, we have, through the ingenuity of many visionaries and "go getters", the chance to speed things up a bit. Bicycles helped us speed up our time from walking, cars got us to our destinations quicker, airplanes get us across distances much faster than other modes of transportation.
     And transportation is just one example of how we have been able to get things faster. In alot of our world, we have continued to try and squeeze as many things into "time" as possible! When we have an hour, what is the most we can cram into that limited bit of time? Nowadays, we are almost controlled by time, we have deadlines, schedules, appointments, jobs and time-frames in which we must complete things. Time is not on our side! And I believe most of us are beginning to realize that. We need things faster, smarter, bigger, better and more detailed for us. While time is against us, we have made technology that works for us. Oh what a blessing! Even the Bible tells us in Ephesians it says "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil." In another version it says "redeeming the time, for the days are evil." I believe in so many ways we have all taken it to heart. In our terms we would  say "change for the better". Wouldn't you say we try to change everything for the better as we move through this life? Especially considering ourselves? I am so grateful for the chance to do so as I walk this world!
     So what's the point? Why wait on something that you feel you could get so much faster doing it or going another way? Why in the world, if we live in such a schedule oriented culture/world, should we take the "slow road". Or the slightly more difficult route? For some of us, we look at the challenge and shirk back. However for others, we see a challenge to be conquered. Just like a mountain to climb, river to rule or video game to master. Whomever you are, you may have great reasoning for your response in this type of situation. Yet I submit to you that there is something missing in all of this.
     When was the last time you truly took the Word of God at face value? How often do you or I claim to believe that scripture is inerrant and "profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness"? I would wager, most all of us would square up our shoulders hold our chin up and say "For sure I do"! Then why does it seem that much of what the bible says... GOES RIGHT OVER OUR HEADS? The very next verse in Ephesians says "So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." If this is a command, what have we done to make every effort to do exactly that? To understand what the will of the Lord is, we actually need to listen. But if we are constantly running around, typing this, working on that, finishing this project or starting that one... how can we hear? And then on top of that we decide that having a set of ear-buds shoved in our ears will make our day go better or our attitude be nicer. Wait one minute... How can I hear the voice of my God and Father who loves me very dearly if I have chosen to drown him out with all this stuff. Why do you think all this stuff is so easily accessible?  Don't you think it's one more way for our arch-enemy the devil to render us unfit as a soldier and ambassador for Christ's kingdom? "But", you say, "I listen to christian music and even my co-workers know it. So I'm witnessing to them in that way!" Well good for you! But how often do you truly listen to your God? Or do you just talk at Him?

------- To be Continued -------