Back when I was in the Boy Scouts we had the opportunity to go to Fairchild
Air Force Base on a weekly basis for swimming lessons. Once we all got the
basics down, we were pretty much free to spend that time any way we wanted.
Most of my friends were soon in the deep end, but I felt much more secure
swimming in the shallow end where I could still touch the bottom when
necessary. Over time this got to be somewhat of an embarrassment however, so I
determined that I would take a chance and see just how far I could swim so I
could always make it back to where I could touch. This was an Olympic sized
pool so it was fifty meters long with distance designations every ten meters.
My plan was to work my way out to the distance marker along the pool side and
then swim back to the wall at the shallow end. Ten, twenty, thirty meters and I
was doing fine, by now I was way over my head but I knew I could get back
safely. Then forty meters and finally from one end to the other, man I could
really swim. That little exercise also taught me that I could swim better than
many of my friends that had been playing in the deep end for a number of weeks.
I was just scared to get in over my head.
By the time the election had rolled around last week I was sick of all the
political advertisements. I was also getting 3 or 4 phone calls a day from
everyone. All of these were taking some fact they thought I might be interested
in and then spinning the logic and/or the facts, most of the time both, so that
I would vote for one particular candidate or issue. As I recall, I only saw one
ad that just stated the candidates positions and let it go at that. That was in
the senatorial election and the ad was by the Sierra Club. There may have been
others, but I don't remember them. I also thought that all the candidates were
just saying what was in it for me, however they sought to define that, and
really not stating anything else. Service, sacrifice, and opportunity were
wilderness positions compared to what they pledged to give me.
Well, last Tuesday the vote was held and just as I pledged, this week I will
make some comments about it. Since the decision on who is the next president
may still be tied up in legal complications by this time next week, I am sure I
am going to be as sick of these results and the news coverage by the time it is
all finished as I was with the advertising spin. But the fact remains,
"Who would have thunk (sic) it!" Since I have heard this no where
else you have now heard it here. This is about as unthinkable as the Berlin
wall coming down. Completely beyond our comprehension.
It is refreshing that both candidates got more votes than Bill Clinton ever
did, but what were the people really voting for? Most commentaries suggest more
government with Al Gore, less government with George W. Bush. I believe however
that all those people voted for political freedom, they just understand that
concept in entirely different ways.
Gore supporters were really voting for freedom through egalitarian outcomes,
Equal opportunity of outcomes for all citizens. Bush supporters were voting for
freedom of opportunity for all to determine their own destiny. But look for
just a minute, both are really two sides of the same coin. We are voting,
especially as this election was framed, not to get into water over our heads.
The means were different but the outcome was essentially the same. I feel most
secure, when I can touch bottom all by my self. Or I feel most secure when
there is a life jacket safe within my reach. But notice the focus on me and
self, these 100 million Americans voted in their own self interest. Which
secure path really is reality? Is this really freedom?
Is man called to spend his live paddling in the shallow end? Has America
evolved to that point? A couple of weeks ago we talked about how the events in
the Middle East could unravel our whole plans of security. Now with these
bizarre election events, way more unexpected than those troubles, it pushes the
continuing events in Israel off the center of media attention. Should we
continue to hop around the shallow end saying, "I think I can swim, I
think I can swim, I think I can swim," or should we begin to think about
working our way out the pool side and swimming back to the shallow end? The
Bible paraphrased for this application says "For
we swim by faith not by hopping in the shallows."
As I was thinking about this week's message before the election, I was going
to say that I hope the new president and we more normal people should focus on
three things in this time. After the results of the election I was reminded
that perhaps three were not enough. Ecclesiastes 11:1,2 states: Cast your bread upon the waters, For you may find it
after many days, Give a serving to seven and also to eight, For you do not know
what evil will be on the earth."
I will stick with the three points I had determined as casting points
earlier, I will let you for your home work come up with the four or five others
specifically applicable to your own circumstances. This diversity of investment
in time or resources is not part of our modern American outlook. " 'Cause we've got it all figured out."
But is that real wisdom or self centered folly?
Someone once ask Martin Luther how he found the time to pray two hours a
day. Brother Martin's response was something to the effect "That if I
prayed any less, I could in no way get all my work done." Prayer is a very confused topic in the Evangelical
church today. In many ways it is approached much like a Roman Catholic praying
the Rosary. So many Hail Marys and Our Fathers and all our petitions will be
met. But prayer is really not so much making your requests known, but listening
to what God may have to say to you through your spirit and interceding for others.
How do you set your priorities, for the busy day? I know of at least three
people, including myself, that have found the best way to do this is to go for
long walks, mostly in the woods, parks, and countryside. The exercise and
creation allows one to put everything in perspective. The worries of the day
will soon pass and tomorrow has enough of its own, focus on today and let God
take care of the future. Brother Martin was right it takes about two hours to
get to that point.
The second casting of bread was to support Israel in her efforts in the
crisis going on there. The age is such that Israel is part of God's plan for
these times. You want to be secure in these uncertain times just realize that
the Messiah of Israel is the same as your Savior Jesus Christ. While in many
ways the safety of Jerusalem is an Old Testament promise, it is good to realize
that the Jewish faith is an Old Testament religion still alive and active in
our New Testament era. This support or lack thereof, from the new president could
signify why America is not apparently seen in end times prophesy. Should this
be the era, George W'.s support could mean that America is spared by God the
disastrous effects of the end shared by other nations. Al's egalitarian
approach could mean that America might not be a force worth being involved in
the end time events.
Cast three, we do need a restoration in the church of the gospel of Jesus
Christ, not as what is generally called a revival of religion. When God is in
control of your personal future, He will eventually lead you to the side of the
pool to see just how well you do in water over your head. The main way to start
out to the depth along pool side is to be actively involved in your local
church and other ministries that the Lord may direct. But to be effective in
the eternal sense, those ministries should focus on building the local church
whether that be at home or on the missions field. Once you know you can swim,
deep water is not something to fear, even though a certain amount of respect is
always required. Faith is based on the same principle.
You are free to cast your remaining bread, to family, friends, service,
business or other areas that are part of your God given personality. But the
wisdom of the teacher of Ecclesiastes is something worth considering seriously
in times as eventful as ours. Neglect may me needless suffering in the shallows
when you could be free to enjoy the depth of the faithful in this walk or swim
of faith.
Well this week I am way in over my head especially
financially, please intercede for financial provision. I was finally able late
last week to begin to get to the work that I have been trying to complete these
last few weeks. It is now completed by the time this message is posted. There
are some other complications however, that at this time seem impossible to
solve, as well as the remaining payment for the work, almost $6000. Please
intercede in this behalf.
Finally, the idea that I had last week that seems to be the missing piece
for the move to Eastern Washington was development of a short wave radio
station. I have prayed about it myself and it seems like an interesting
opportunity, directed toward mainly Canada and Russia in support of missions
work. I have talked to a number of people who seem to be very encouraging, but
have yet been unable to contact those who know much about specifics, even
though I have a couple of names. This station would bring into play some of the
knowledge I learned many years ago in the military and the whole concept seems
really exciting, but for lack of a better thought it would require a financial
partner, of which I now know of none. The whole thing however, is a swimming in
the open ocean type of adventure. God knows the flow of this particular
current. Please intercede for guidance in this investigation and I would like
to hear from you if you have any thoughts or comments.