Jump Start # 3665

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under Heaven.”

Our verse today begins what is commonly called the “seasons of life.” What follows are a series of fourteen couplets, opposites. Birth and death. Finding and giving up as lost. Love and hate. Those are not multiple choices. If they were, we’d pick only the good stuff. Like the vows in a marriage ceremony, “sickness and health, richer or poorer,” those are the things of life.

The key to all of these expressions is “there is a time.” Knowing what time it is, makes all the difference. And, that leads to the important discussion of moving to the next chapter of your life. Our lives are like a book in one sense. And, in another sense, our lives are very different than a book. We have a starting page, “once upon a time,” our story begins. There are chapters when we were young. There are chapters when we were in school. There are chapters about clubs, sports, music in our lives. There are chapters about love. There is the chapter about marriage. And, as the long ago rhythm went, “first came love, then came marriage, then came pushing the baby carriage.” There is a chapter about careers. As we age, more and more chapters are are added to our story. There is a chapter about finding the grace of our Lord and salvation.

As one moves through the chapters of life or the seasons, as Solomon paints it for us, one thinks about the next chapter. Preparing for the next chapter of life is helpful. It keeps you aware of the changes and the adjustments that follow.

A young couple prepares for a baby coming. They may have to find a bigger place to live. As kids get to school age, adjustments are made. The kids start driving, a new chapter and some changes take place. As the kids move out of the house and you are now empty nesters, do you need a big house any longer? Adjustments. As one nears retirement, if the next chapter hasn’t been given a lot of thought or planning, those years could be a lot different than you dreamed.

Some chapters in our story are long. Some are short. There are some chapters that one doesn’t like and can be hard. The death of a child. The death of a mate. The long season with an illness. Those are chapters in the story of our lives.

As I write these words, I’m in a cabin in the mountains of Tennessee. Some of my kids and grandkids are with us. One of the things that brought me here was to think about the next chapter in my life. Things do not continue on as they are forever. Life has a way of keeping that from happening. Age, finances, desire, needs bring about changes whether one wants them or not. What’s the next chapter going to look like? Where is it that I want to end up next?

Age and finances also plays a role in mapping out the next chapter in life. At a certain point in life one realizes that some boats have sailed away and are not coming back. Reality can be a cold look in the mirror but it can also be something that opens new doors that one never thought of before.

Here are some thoughts:

First, no one knows how long the next chapter will be. We plan, but what’s coming may only be a few pages in our story. Plan anyway. There is a coming appointment with God that we will keep.

Second, one must keep the Lord at the forefront of all that we plan. What congregation will I be a part of and will they help me get to Heaven and will I be able to help them get to Heaven? What will I be able to do in the next chapter of my life for the kingdom of God?

Third, however long our book will be, there will be others who read our story. Our friends, our family, many in our fellowship will look at the choices we made and how we colored the story that we call life. Our story should never be just about ourselves. It should never be about what I want to do. Thinking of others, honoring our Lord will shape the choices that we make in life.

One day, our story here will be over. It won’t be the last page of our book, because we will live on and on in eternity. We do not have a “The End,” or, a final page to the book of our lives. Jesus died so we could live. Live here. Live now and live then. Live eternally.

The next chapter in our story…have you thought about yours? Don’t just sit back and let life happen to you, shape it by your faith, your choices and your wisdom.

The next chapter…I’ve been thinking about that.

Roger

Jump Start # 3591

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under Heaven.”

Our verse today begins Solomon’s grand portrait that we call “the seasons of life.” There is a time for everything, he says. And, what follows are a series of couplets, opposites. Solomon lists fourteen of them. Big things such as birth and death. Important things such as war and peace. Keeping and throwing away, we think about that as we stand in front of a cluttered closet.

The key expression running through these verses is “time.” There is a time. The important factor before us is knowing what time it is. When is it time to speak and when is it time to be silent? When do we keep looking and when do we stop the search and count it lost? What time is it?

And, a classic example of this is the wealthy farmer in our Lord’s parable found in Luke 12. He was planning to tear down barns and build larger barns. He had plans. He had thought things out. He felt that now was the time.

There are three mistakes this farmer made. He simply didn’t know what time it was.

First, he thought it was time to take his ease. It wasn’t. He’d die that very night. He’d die rich in farmland and crops but bankrupt in faith. What time it really was, was the time to get serious about his faith. It was time he moved himself out of the picture and put the Lord as the central place in his heart.

Second, he thought he had many years still ahead of him. He didn’t. Had he known what time it was, he would not have wasted the energy making plans about bigger barns. He didn’t have another day ahead of him. Before the night was over, he was on the other side. He simply did not know what time it was.

Third, he thought he had control of the future. This is what I will do, so he thought. So, he planned. He didn’t know what time it was and he didn’t realize that God has a divine appointment for each of us.

Now, what are we to take-away from such lessons? Is it wrong to make future plans? Is it wrong to dream? These passages are not throwing water on vision, goals and planning. If that were the case, there would be no ambition or improvement. No one would plan to go to college or start a family. God had plans and dreams. He saw a childless Abraham as having more descendants than the stars in the sky. Through the voice of the prophets, God saw a kingdom that would become the chief of the mountains or so powerful that it would crush all the other kingdoms.

The farmer’s mistake was living and then dying without God. He was never thankful to God for sending the rain and the sun that made his fields so plentiful that he needed larger barns. He never thanked God for the knowledge and ability he had to be a wise farmer. Had he kept God before his eyes, he would have known what time it was.

Now, some lessons for us:

First, each day is a gift. We make plans months and even years into the future, but we must remember the time. These things will be if God so allows. Each day is brand new. Each day can be better than the last one.  Each day has the opportunity to honor and glorify God. Today is a gift from Heaven. Be thankful.

Second, one day will be our last day here. The rich farmer thought his last day was still a long way off. He never realized that it was that night. There is a strong possibility that most of us won’t know when our last day is. It may come suddenly upon us, as it did the farmer. As I write these words in my office at the church building, I look around at all the books, framed pictures and collectibles that fill this room. It’s definitely me. But one day, all these books will be boxed and the room will be cleared out. They have served me well. They have been my tools and helps for a long time. A final day here comes, but it won’t be our last day. We will move to the eternal and things like barns, farming equipment, and for me, a room full of books and stuff will be left to someone else to deal with. These things ought not to define us. They help us for a moment, but they are not us. Who we are, goes with us to the other side.

Third, knowing what time it is, helps us from being wasteful. When you kill time, there is no resurrection of that lost time. It’s gone and gone for good. So, make the most of your time. Surround yourself with the things that will build faith and encourage others. Continue learning. Continue growing. Continue serving.

What time is it? The farmer didn’t know. Do you? It’s not what the hands of the clock tell you. It’s what your faith tells you.

Roger

Jump Start # 3005

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “there is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under Heaven.”

One of our Jump Start readers wrote me recently about the work load I carry. I am busy. I am also a workaholic. There is so much to be done. I am blessed to be engaged in the greatest work in the world—preaching and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Not everyone can do that. Most have secular jobs. And it is those jobs that often create spiritual guilt in us. Our jobs require so much time. Even when we come home, many are bringing their work home. School teachers do that. Many medical people do that. The paperwork is overwhelming. Many travel and traveling these days is long and stressful. And, when you travel, you often do not put in an eight hour day. Your day looks more like twelve or fourteen hours. Then, it’s back on an airplane and traveling home. And, what I see and what I hear is brethren who are weary and they gather on Sundays and we preachers pour on the guilt about reading your Bible more and doing more. And, there you sit, wondering “how?” Wondering if the preacher ever worked a secular job? Wondering what it would be like to walk in his shoes where you have the luxury of studying, teaching all the time. We need our jobs but are our jobs killing us spiritually? It’s not just the time element. It’s the mental strain and energy. We are exhausted at the end of the day. It’s also crawling back into the slim pit every day of toxic attitudes, gutter talk and unashamed immorality. You would love to quit, but you can’t. You don’t even count the days until retirement because that only makes you more discouraged. Where are you to find the time to be a parent? Where do you have time for your spouse? Where do you have time for the Lord? Where do you have your own time?

Have I painted a real picture for you? Is this where you are? And, you wonder if the shepherds and the preachers understand. You are so tired, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally and of trying to wear all the hats you have to wear. You want to do more in the kingdom. You want to teach. You want to become a shepherd. But when? There simply isn’t any time.

I don’t know if I am one to offer the right suggestions, but I will try. For more than four decades I have preached and my world is different than yours. There were periods in which my wife worked nights. I tried to do my work at home, and with four little ones, it was hard. There were a few days when as soon as she came in, I left for the office. I don’t miss those days. I don’t think my work was the best during those times. Guilt, stress, deadlines—I’ve tasted all of those.

Here are my thoughts:

First, remember balance. You cannot do it all and you cannot do it all right now. Find ways to take mental vacations. You don’t even have to leave your house to do this. Music can do this. Reading can do this. Sitting on the back deck can do this. The more stressed and stretched you are the more you will take it out on those you love the most, including your family and the Lord.

Second, the demands of little children changes as they age. I could not carry the work load I do today if my children were still at home. I’m an empty nester now. The day will come when little ones will go to school. The day will come when they will be off to college. The day will come when they will be on their own. Your time and even the amount of money you pour into them changes. While they are home, they need you. It is important that you are in the stands watching their games. It is important that you are in their lives. Use this time to read the Bible to them. This allows you to read yourself and teach them. You do not want to save the world and lose your family. That’s not a good tradeoff. There will be time later on, if the Lord allows, for you to do more with others. But even when they are home, you can have other families over on a Sunday. You can take them to funeral homes. You can grab a rake and have them help you help someone else.

Third, there is that wonderful passage in the Gospels where the Lord commended Mary for pouring the costly perfume upon Him. Jesus defended her and said, “She has done what she could.” And, that’s all God can expect from any of us. Do what you can do. Learn to be efficient. Learn to use your time wisely. Get organized. Delegate. Notice, Jesus did not say “Mary has done everything.” Mary could not do everything. Mary could not go to the cross for us. Mary was not a chosen apostle. Mary was not a miracle worker. There are things that Mary could not do. But, she has done what she could. And, so must you. Do what you can do. You won’t do it all, nor should you. But, you can do what you can. And, as time allows you, you can take on more.

Fourth, no one understands what is going on in your world and in your life more than the Lord does. He is not here to beat you up, make you feel like trash and trample any hope you have remaining. Not at all. He knows you juggle your job, family, congregation and personal life. The Lord is here to help you, not defeat you. Among us, the Lord often provides help but we just don’t see it. First, look within your congregation and see who is really a busy person and very spiritual. There are many busy people in the world, but they may not be very spiritual. You want both. Carve out a couple of hours so you can spend time with that busy spiritual person. It may be one of your shepherds. You want to know their daily routine. You want to know how they balance work, family and God. You want suggestions. You want tips. You want help. Then, look among the congregation at someone who is retired. Take them to lunch. Ask them how they did it. You are getting perspectives. You are gaining insights. Then make adjustments. Learn to say “No.” Realize that burnout is the death of spiritual life. Find ways to recharge yourself spiritually. Find ways to get excited about worship again. Set some goals. Set goals for you. Set goals for the family. Use down time as opportunities. Sitting in airports, boy I’ve done that a ton. Use that time to read. Use that time to text others in the church. Waiting for kids, I’ve done that. Use that time to pray. Learn to adjust and balance.

When our passage says, “There is time for every event under Heaven,” that does not mean it all happens at once. These events occurred at different times. Different days. Likely even different years.

I have found much good in the principle of the drops in a bucket. It works financially. It works in Bible study. It works in connecting with others. It works in kingdom work. A drop falls into a bucket. It’s hardly noticed. Then another drop. Then another. It takes a while until the bottom of the bucket is covered. More drops. Slowly, some water can be seen in that bucket. Then more drops. In time, the bucket is half full. More time, and that bucket is filled. More time and the bucket is overflowing. We see that overflowing bucket and that’s what we want. We want that financially. We want that spiritually. It’s possible. You just constantly and always keep adding drops.

The work environment has changed. The atmosphere of so many places is that “this job is your life.” It’s not. Once you die, you will be replaced within a month. That’s even true of us preachers. Your life is Christ. Your life is your family.  Your life is getting to Heaven. Keep the right perspective and keep going.

Roger

Jump Start # 2975

  Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under Heaven.”

The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas seems to fly. Families are so busy. Special events. Visiting other family members. So much to do, that the fun and joy of the holidays can become stressful. You’d think with all of our technology we have today, that we would be more relaxed than ever. Our grandmas and great-grandmas couldn’t throw a load of laundry into the washer, fill the dishwasher up, program the Roomba and go off to other places. Not back then. They had to stay and ring out the clothes and hang them on a clothes line. Dishes were washed by hand. The room was swept by a broom or vacuum. We can do so much more. Shopping on-line, ordering food before we reach the store, banking via our phones, we’ve found ways to do things without literally being in a store. And, yet, here we are as busy, tired and stressed as ever. And Solomon’s words seem to haunt us. He says, “there is a time for every event under Heaven,” and we wonder about that. We keep telling ourselves that there simply isn’t enough time.

Here are some suggestions that might help:

First, learn to say “No.” You need to say this kindly to others. You can’t go everywhere. You can’t keep running. Your body needs rest. Interestingly, God built in the Jewish system a day of rest, and now in the New Testament age we live as if we never need that. Stay home. Put on some holiday movies. Leave your phone in another room. We also need to say “no,” to ourselves. You don’t have to make every cookie in the inventory of holiday cookies. For me this year is the battle with leaves. I’ve already spent more than three different days getting the leaves out and yet, my yard still needs more attention. It hit me the other night, I live with a woods behind my yard. I’m going to have leaves in my yard. I’ll get to it when I can.

Second, find time to think and pray. This is a great thing to do when you go to bed or just wake up. Get organized and get a plan. Run it through your mind. Put some prayers on that plan and then attack it. Being disorganized is not only a waste of time and energy, it leaves one feeling overwhelmed and defeated. Make lists. Put things in order. Before companies launch a new product lots of meetings and thoughts go into that decision. Before sports teams execute a play, they have talked about that play and practiced that over and over.

Third, remember that little ones get tired, bored easily and need time to rest and play. The little ones can’t keep up with your schedule and they will melt down first. When that happens, your stress level escalates. Keep that in mind as you hurry about this holiday season.

Fourth, don’t cut God short. Don’t skip Bible readings. Don’t rush through quiet times. Don’t skip a day because there is too much to do. That only sprinkles guilt upon your stress and makes you feel worse. Not everything will get done, but most won’t know that. Your house may not look like the cover of a magazine, but that’s ok. Someday, those little ones will be grown up and moved out. When they think back about the holiday times what do you want them to remember? Mom and dad shouting at each other? How stressed the parents were and how everyone had to walk on egg shells because of the tensions of getting everything done perfectly? Is that a great memory? How about the fun and the joy of being with mom and dad. How about the games you played together? How about the sing-a-longs? How about the trips to the grandparents?

In Solomon’s grand picture of life, we refer to as the seasons of life, ‘there is a time for everything.’ His list involves the big things in life, some of which we have no control over. We don’t decide when a death will take place. That’s not our call. And a death wrecks schedules and plans. And, death happens, even during the holiday period.

The Psalmist said to “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps 46:1). There is a difference between being still and being idle. The idle is in neutral because he has nothing to do or doesn’t want to do anything. Being still is a choice. It’s medicine for the body, soul and mind. I tend to think that worship is that way. For us preachers, it’s very busy with all the things we must do, but even in that, once the worship begins, the mind, the body, the heart settles into a sweet fellowship with the Lord. A tired soul can feel rested during worship. I don’t view worship as yet another thing on the list that has to be done today. Instead, it’s a choice. It’s good for me and it’s good for the Lord. And, that period of worship can shake things up on the inside and I can realize that I don’t have to do everything that was on my list. What is important is family, love and one another with the Lord.

When the Revelation writer mentions, “rest from their labors,” (Rev 14:13) it wasn’t holiday shopping and plans that he had in mind. The labors contextually was connected to what they were enduring. They were being faithful in the midst of an oppressive environment. There was a battle going on. There was a work that they were doing. This rest is connected not to Christmas but to the spiritual journey they were on.

Take a breath. You’ll be fine. Remember the big picture. Put a smile on your face and remember who you are and where you are headed…

Rests for the hurried soul—something we do need to think about in these times.

Roger

Jump Start # 617

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under Heaven.”

This sentence begins Solomon’s series of eight couplets about time. There is a time he says. The Byrds put music to these words and had a hit single with “Turn, turn, turn.” Folk singer, Jim Croce sang, ‘If I could put time in a bottle…’ We are certainly a people who are governed by time. There is a time to get up, often much earlier than we want to. There is a time to be at work. There is lunch time. During ball games there is half time and over time, and even time outs. It seems when a person is busy time flies. When a person is bored, time stands still. Waiting, whether in traffic, doctor’s offices, or for the kids to get in the car can be about all we can stand. Time moves the same during an action movie as it does during a sermon. Some how the sermon seems forever and the movie was short. We use expressions such as, “Where has the time gone,” or, “I’m out of time,” to define our busy lifestyles.

Today is June 1st. June is the half way mark of the year. The year is already half over. Funny thing, the older I get, the faster time seems to move. It also seems that the more crowded our lives become, that we are having to cut time somewhere. For some, it’s in the amount of sleep they get. That could explain why so many are cranky. Others, just leave off some details that require time. That can have an impact upon us spiritually. Relationships don’t get to the depth that they should, because that takes time. Prayer is quick, because there is not time. Thinking about God and His word is not given much attention, because there’s not enough time.

Take a breath and do some mid-year evaluations. The year is half over.

1. Have you gotten better this year as a person or are you about the same as before?

2. Have you grown spiritually this year or are you maintaining about the same level as before?

3. Are you engaging in any spiritual activities other than worship or is it about the same?

4. Are your reading the Bible more this year or is it about the same as last year?

5. Are you taking on new challenges spiritually or are you doing about the same as last year?

What happens so often is that we get busy with life and we fail to really live. Appointments and kids and things and stuff and duties and work and this and that fill our time and we simply get older but not better with each year.

You have before you the rest of the year. It’s only half over. Do you need to make some adjustments? Do you need to have a plan? Do you need to schedule some daily spiritual activity?

Solomon says there is a time. There is if we make it. Don’t except the idea that you are doing all that you can—strive for excellence. Peter told his readers to add “virtue” to their faith. That word means moral excellence. It is to strive for the best. Complacency and average are not acceptable with the spirit of virtue. Be the best you can for the rest of this year. This is why games have a half time. It is not just to give the players a chance to rest, it’s also a time for the coaches to make adjustments, talk to the players and motivate them to make the second half better than the first. Bob Burford wrote a wonderful book called, “Half time.” It’s about making the second half of your life better than the first. It’s a matter of choice.

Take on some new challenges. Learn something that will help you. Read something that will build your character. Do something that will make a difference to someone else. Pray like you have never prayed. Worship like you really mean it.

The year belongs to us. It will be what we make it. Just getting older or getting better?

There is a time—remember that.

Roger