“And not only
they, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit,
even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting
for the adoption, the redemption of our body” (Romans
8:23)
We continue to attend a monthly
pastor’s meeting called “Love
Long Beach.” This is a group that shares with one
another, praying as the Lord leads; we sing praise songs,
and someone usually has a short message. In the October
meeting, Pastor Davie Copp shared from Romans 8:23, in which
he pointed out that the English words translated “ourselves”
(from two Greek words - “autoi”
and “eautois),” are in the
plural, whereas the word for “body”
(“somatos”) is singular.
In other words, we who are many are one in the body of
Christ. We are connected to much greater purposes than we
could ever be as mere individuals.
I don’t recall Pastor Doug Richardson’s
precise words, but when we were about to pray, he asked us
to seek (as the Spirit led) new and different approaches,
that we might more effectively share Jesus Christ. Davie,
in his talk, had pointed out that our focus tends to be on
the immediate problem in front of us, whereas we are really
a part of something much larger. The husband and wife who
come to us with marital difficulties indeed have real
problems, he said, but to focus solely on them, we can lose
sight of our call to the rest of the congregation. Our
church, our group, is, in turn, only a small part of what
the Lord is doing in this world. We tend to miss the larger
picture of what the Lord is accomplishing in and through the
body of Christ. God will complete that larger picture. We
need to be open to His opportunities, in relation to our
part of His plan.
Recently, in the western world, at
least thousands of people have expressed concern about the
activities of telemarketers. Probably, most with telephones
are troubled because they are interrupted by sales calls
during the dinner hour. The news network CNN has been
encouraging members of their audience to send emails and
express viewpoints about the problem of telemarketers. How
often we forget to thank the Lord for blessings such as
telephones and the freedom we have in relation to them.
I don’t see telemarketers as a
“problem” at all. Just a short time ago, I spoke with a
telemarketer named Jasmine, who wondered if we had taken
advantage of low interest rates in relation to the mortgage
on our home. I said, “Yes, we have,” but as is my custom, I
then asked if she “has a computer?” (If she replied, “No,”
I would have asked if she KNOWS someone who has a computer),
but Jasmine replied, “Yes, I do,” and I told her about
Friday Study Ministries, giving her information of interest:
That over 52,000 people visited the “First
Church on the Net” in September, 2003, from 50-plus
countries. The top country for September was Hungary,
followed by the U.K., Canada, Australia and then the United
States. Many of those who come to the
First Church on the Net are unable to be part of a
traditional church setting. We want to reach the world for
Jesus Christ, and God has provided the Internet for that
purpose. Jasmine said she would visit our church.
The church exists to tell people about
the Lord (it’s our mission – Acts 1:8). By directing them
to this church (or other places where the Lord may be
found), you are directing them to Him. The next time a
telemarketer calls, listen politely, and when they pause for
your reply, politely decline (or accept the offer if you
want), but then tell them about Friday Study Ministries, the
First Church on the Net.
The issue is not “getting back” at
those who irritate you, but instead to recognize that the
“irritations” of life are really opportunities for God to
express His Son, His love, through you. As Pastor Davie
told us, life is far larger than the irritations of the
moment. Pastor Doug’s request that we look to the Spirit of
God for new ideas to express God’s purposes through us, is
valid. Actually, “new” ways of approaching old problems are
all around – we merely need to look up and see what God
intends.
As stated, “irritations” are God’s
opportunities. As people we don’t like interruptions, often
expressing anger at such times, but the Lord has much more
in mind for you. From a human perspective, we reasonably “groan
within ourselves” (Romans 8:23) because life is
indeed hard and we long to be with Him. But God has a
purpose within everything and He intends that you will look
up and see that He has opportunities for service all around
– more than you previously understood or thought about.
When your telephone rings at the
“wrong” time, thank Him, and answer it with joyful
anticipation. If you are interrupted by events that
distract you, rendering you unable to see the “big picture”
in life, praise His Name, for HE sees everything, and knows
precisely how your contribution fits into His purposes.
Many have grumbled about Paul’s
instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5:16, because he encouraged
us to “Rejoice always,”
(sometimes we just don’t feel like it) and in 5:17, where he
said “pray without ceasing.”
Most have difficulty with 1 Thessalonians 5:18, containing
the strange but wonderful words: “In
EVERYTHING give thanks; for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus for you.” Even when the phone rings
during dinner!
The telephone during the dinner hour,
is, when you think about it, a MINOR irritation, and it’s
not worthy of your anger at the telemarketer who calls.
These are people who need Christ just as badly as you have
needed Him. Your “irritations” in life, whatever they are,
should not distract you from God’s intention that you are to
“rejoice” in Him. “Pray”
for that person who has interrupted you. “Give
thanks” to God for their call; for not everything in
life is about you and your needs – The person on the
telephone no doubt called because they must make a living,
but they also need the Lord, and perhaps that is why they
are telemarketers: For just this moment when YOU will
prayerfully and gently speak to them, directing them to a
place where they may find and receive the Lord.
Father, when we are honest, we admit
that MANY things annoy us. Secretly, many are at “wits end”
mentally, when they should be praising God. We look to You,
to Your “redemption;” we
who have the “fruits of the Spirit,”
TRUSTING that You know what You’re allowing, even when we’re
interrupted at the dinner hour. Show us, Lord, what to do,
and help us to always PRAISE Your Holy Name. In Jesus
Name. Amen.
