“lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,”
Matthew 6:20
I was going to complain about my governor’s hypocrisy in when he emphasized the value of human life while he pretty much is keeping our state on lockdown for another month. You see, Tim Walz is very much pro-abortion.
But dwelling on all that will just tick me off. Being upset in this forum won’t help solve the problem. I’ll be preaching to the choir on this one. There is a time and place for everything.
Revelation 22:11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”
Yesterday, a group of us had a Zoom meeting in which we discussed what to do if the government’s stimulus money isn’t enough to make ends meet. Basically, it was a conversation of humility because it took some turns we didn’t expect. Sometimes, we need help; but all too often, we won’t ask for it. I’m not just talking about money.
We are all familiar with Jesus’ lesson about anxiety, how we aren’t to be anxious about our food or clothing because God knows our needs and will provide. But that lesson goes way beyond this. Notice a question Jesus poses:
Matthew 6:27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Time is a huge problem for us. I think our worry about running out of time is a significant factor behind much of our sin. We spend with debt because we can’t wait until later. I notice this with my own problem of gluttony. I obsess more than others about planning my future meals. Now, we all need to plan, but I’m planning for addictive reasons, like I did with booze. I always want to have a nice cushion, just in case….
On the other hand, we can have a problem with time when we think that time has passed us by, that it’s too late. Do you have a troubled relationship that you wish was fixed but think that too much time has passed to do anything about it? Look, the bible says we don’t have a choice to make things right, within our power, whether it be that we have harmed someone or someone has harmed us (Matthew 5:23-24, 18:15, Romans 12:18). Time doesn’t heal all wounds. God’s grace through reconciliation does.
Let’s not forget the blessings that we forego because we don’t take time for Sabbath rest. I could go on all day about that.
So, as much as I want to complain, I think it’s best if I find better ways to spend my time. You know, maybe I could send a letter to my political representatives. That might be a good way to express my views. This seems to be a decent link for a copy/paste letter to everyone: https://myreps.datamade.us/
But then I need to leave it at that. Dwelling on things that I can’t do anything about only serves to harm me. Why would I want to do that?
Ephesians 5:15-16 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Amen, Father.
Copyright © 2020 Scott Powers