The Importance of "Immediately"

With summer ending and school quickly approaching, teachers everywhere are readying their classrooms, organizing lesson plans, and gearing up for another year of lecturing and learning. As a former teacher I can remember all of the anticipation of the first day of school. Most students would walk in the classroom with an oversized backpack while looking up at me as they entered with curious and anxious eyes as if to say, “Uh oh, a man!” I had numerous exceptional students and those six years presented to me my own learning curve in life.

But there was one thing that I never really grew accustomed to, as a teacher and classroom manager. For some it may seem trivial with all of the other possible problems that a classroom full of twenty- five sixth graders could conceivably do. But this one thing was usually met with a rather forward and displeased retort from myself. When I would tell a student to do something whether it was to pick up their supplies, clean their desk, or turn in a paper; I expected immediate action. If the student lingered, especially out of what appeared to be apathy, laziness, or disdain, I would find myself pretty frustrated and give a very quick and stern response. You see the problem was that numerous episodes of lingering students could add up to more than an hour of wasted instruction time for that day. My classroom required immediate action when instructed, because time was precious and it could not be wasted.

            In the book of Mark and I am struck by how many times the author uses the word “immediately” in reference to either the action of Jesus or the response of those who encounter him. Below are just a few examples from chapter one:

“And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn                         open…” vs. 10

“The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness…” vs. 12

“And immediately they left their nets to follow him.” vs. 18

“And immediately he called them and they left their father Zebedee…” vs. 20

“And immediately on the Sabbath, he entered the synagogue…” vs. 21

“And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.” vs. 42

Mark speaks to us with an emphasized urgency, highlighting the practice and presence of Jesus. In contrast, I often catch myself lingering at the thought of approaching God in prayer or worship. After having spent focused time with him, I wonder why I was so hesitant in my initial approach. But Mark reminds us that the urgency of Jesus’ work is an example for us in which we are empowered to reflect on our own daily mission. In that reflection, let us approach the presence of God with the same immediacy as that of our Lord Jesus.

Pastor John

What's my Priority?

In his book Too Busy Not to Pray, Bill Hybels tells a story of a young single unemployed man who came to him in deep despair having not found a job after several months. In fact he stated that this wasn’t even the worst of it. He continued, “I feel so lonely in this. Nobody in the church cares. Sometimes I think God doesn’t care. I feel totally hopeless and helpless.” Hybels responded with questions about the man’s habits. Was he feeding his faith? How often did he pray and commune with God? Did he regularly attend church services or place himself around Christians? Was he reaching out to meet other’s needs? The man quickly quibbled, “I just can’t find the time.” Hybels then reminded him that being unemployed and single meant that he was probably richer in time than any other resource.

As harsh as it may seem, when it comes to looking for answers in our often-confusing circumstances, God’s presence is regularly seen as a sort of “magic wand.” Wanting him to bring courage and strength without forming the habits that increase spiritual health are ripe ingredients for the creation of a misappropriated blame game. In an often unstable and confusing situation, God is much more about my holiness than my happiness. He will see me through, in his time and way, but only a connection to his line of sight through a steadfast and steady perseverance will bring clarity. Ordering our priorities around his is essential.

             Below are just a few of the priorities rendered in God’s Word:

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them. Matthew 18:1-2 

 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 

Today God is calling us to prioritize the work of the Christian. To the world this may appear to be off-task, a distraction, or even a waste of time. But Jesus is calling us to a work that is wholly different than our typical shortsighted “fix it” mentality. It requires allowing him to set the docket. It places him in the center of all endeavors. It asks the question, “Who is my priority?” Will you join me in prioritizing the presence of our Father in prayer today?

Pastor John

Is Jesus really calling me to a balanced life?

I remember a distinct conversation with a good friend of mine in my mid twenties that left me walking away frustrated and questioning my entire world view. He, the leader of our community group, challenged my notion of attempting a “balanced life,” with what I believed to be a reasonable attendance of our group, a couple of times per month. Up until that point I had always viewed our community group as a place to receive an hour of teaching and possibly socialize afterwards. But his argument spoke as though I was responsible to these few friends and that they might even need me. In fact he spoke as if they were actually central to my growth in Christ and that eternal consequences were at stake.

These days when I reflect on conversations like this, I try to ask myself, “If my best friend or wife needed me at an event once a week and the direction of our friendship or marriage depended on that one hour, would I prioritize it?” Here’s the rub. Many of us still believe that our relationship with Christ is best found in one hour on Sunday morning or in reading a short devotional, a few days a week.  We confuse Jesus’ admonishment, “to keep our righteous acts secret, so as not to be seen by men,” as the overarching strategy for all of the Christian life. As a result, “personal faith” is often confused with “privatized faith.”

A personal faith means that our relationship with Jesus hits at the core of who we are, informing all of our relationships and activities. A personal faith moves us beyond an informal and optional “club like” view of the church, to an intense and deeply familial integration of ourselves into a faith community. A personal faith means that I come to the people of God on his terms, patiently willing to walk with others through their deepest pain and greatest joy. As a result, a personal faith says that I am willing to accept the privilege of being needed, despite how far it might stretch my own personal comfort or perceived capabilities.

On the other hand, a privatized faith means that my overarching approach to God and the church is based on my rights as an individual. Unfortunately this latter unbiblical perspective remains quite popular even within our own church today. But we at Parkgate long to see people changed by the power of the gospel, continually communicated within our community groups. It is only within this family like structure that we will see real personal faith encouraged and sustained. Will you join me in forsaking a false notion of a “balanced life” and become an integral and much needed part of a community group at Parkgate Community Church? Will you commit to encourage others to become a part of your spiritual family as we journey toward Christ together? As we move forward, let us find our place of greatest priority, in the ever so personal family of God.

Pastor John

Prayer Thought May 5th, 2014

Competition has always been a part of our family. With the coming and going of Mother’s Day I was reminded of how my two siblings have continually made a sport of outdoing one another in calling, sending cards, and giving gifts to our parents. On several occasions my brother has reminded my sister and me that he typically wins the ‘funniest card’ category. And as of late, my sister’s new strategy has been to combine her own family vacation with my parent’s anniversary, leaving me and my wife to scramble for the consolation prize of having only provided a free room at our house in which to stay while in Houston. But seriously, how could we compete with Disney World? I use to find these little games a bit annoying, as one of the others would declare that they had been the first to call at 6 am the morning of a birthday or had posted a Facebook message at 12:01 am on their wall.

But recently I have come to recognize the motivation behind these little antagonistic rivalries. Because of the faithfulness and sacrificial love displayed so selflessly by our parents over the years, especially when we ourselves were not faithful, there is a deep seeded desire amongst the three of us to love our parents greatly and to respond with special moments of grateful celebration. Of course bragging rights factor in at times, but the idea of love for love is a privilege originally conceived in the mind of God. After all, he tells us very clearly through the Apostle John that, “We love him, because he first loved us.” And Paul continues with this idea in Romans 12:

 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with 
brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent 
in spirit, and serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

With this in mind, let us love sincerely with the love we have received from our father. Let us celebrate with him by being constant in prayer. And with this daily communion, our love can be transformed into a genuine outpouring of honor and affection.

Pastor John