Urgency

We set up meetings, we make appointments, we know what time to be at sports events or plays or scheduled activities and there is a certain urgency about being on time, and pushing all other things aside and prioritizing that which we have chosen. We do it all the time. Remember just a few weeks ago when the crazy guy declared that the world was coming to an end on a specific day, and the media got hold of it and that news was plastered everywhere. It was a good story for them and it made headlines. We didn't fall for it but didn't it just give you pause for a minute to think....what if this was my last day on earth?

Roger, my Sunday school teacher taught a lesson yesterday from Romans 13:11-14

"And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh."

There is a sense of urgency declared in this passage. Just as there would have been in the news of a few weeks ago if you believed that information to be true. You would have been committed to getting things in order with your life. Well, this passage may not be new news, or media worthy but it is a truth declared from scripture. There is no defined date but the sense of urgency remains.

Look at the one verse that says "put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." What are the deeds of darkness? They are things that would not be pleasing to God or line up with God's commandments. There is a small acronym that came about years ago..WWJD (what would Jesus do) that was to be a reminder to ask ourselves when we are engaged in an activity or behavior or in need of a response....how would Jesus handle this or that? Is is totally unrealistic that we could behave in perfect purity as Jesus did, but aren't we called to give it a good shot and try fervently to live according to His standards and his example? The verses above suggest that there is a sort of urgency to our trying to get things right in our lives, in our relationships, in our behavior etc. We don't know when our final days may come, and too often we put off trying to make adjustments in our lives that that would make them richer. We all are not only exposed to darkness and the hidden ways within it but quite frankly delight in some of them.

That "armor of light" is a curiosity to me. First of all I consider armor to be worn before going out into battle. So where is the battle? Upon reflection, It lies within me as well as outside of me, as it does with you. What is it about light that is so revealing....well, it exposes that which is hidden in darkness. And regarding that "light"...well, the way I see it is if I truly allow God's light to shine within me and reflect upon me, then he is going to expose that which may be hiding in my darkness which does not line up with his standards. That is what light does. Then I have to make a choice...is it time to reevaluate my ways...is there any sense of urgency to make some changes in my lifestyle, in my ways, in my words, in my behavior? Or shall I continue on in my subtle darkness of self motivated deceit, thinking it doesn't matter and I have got all the time in the world to change if I want to?

The real question at hand is "do I want to be the best that God has envisioned me to be?....Or, (and I so hate to admit that I even have to ask these questions of myself, but they are real challenges in my heart and mind), am I too lazy, too self centered, and too comfortable in my darkness to let God expose within me the things that he sees cause me be unsettled, fearful, lacking confidence, disappointed and discouraged?

It comes down to who am I busy gratifying, the Lord Jesus Christ or self? Pretty simple!
I do want the flashlight of God's saving grace to uncover the darkened crevices where I have hidden my faults, my shames, my sinful ways and blemished perceptions. Because I figure better to go on and clean out what lies in darkness now and enjoy the blessings of freedom and joy now than to keep on plowing through the battle of darkness unarmed without armor. At least I know that when God exposes whatever it is he shines his light upon, then he too will give me the grace and courage and strength to alter my ways unto his calling.

Dear Lord, Help me to trust you to be my armor of light, a armor of protection, an armor of exposure, and an armor of steadfast truth. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!