Waste of energy, waste of time.

For the sake of argument, envision a freight train with four 9000 hp locomotives. It is pulling a hundred or so cars of nearly 90 ton each of coal. This train is traveling at nearly 90 mph. Now imagine stepping in front of that train and trying to stop it with your bare hands. I have heard a well-supported rumor that such a vehicle needs 6 miles or more to come to a stop. Should the engineer see you a half mile down the track prior to contact, his best and greatest intentions will not save you. The coroner will have a very large area to investigate, plus have a considerably difficult time recovering your body. Coming up against that much force is really a waste of energy and time for a human body to try and stop a train.

Have you ever seen one of those movie shots where the camera pans back, starting at ground level traveling into outer space? First you are looking at a person on the ground, then an aerial view of a city, then a state, then North America, then the Earth, then the solar system, the Milky Way, and the scene grows into a broad expanse of unrecognizable stars. All that still can fit into God’s hand, gripped by His fingers and tossed like the dice in the hand of some gambler. And we grant Him permission to do what He wants.

Early in the earthly life of Jesus, Joseph and Mary bring Him into the Temple to Dedicate the firstborn male child unto Jehovah-God as required by the Law. Let me get this straight. Two humans are bringing the Godchild they have been entrusted with, and promising to commit the life of that child to the Eternal. They bring the Lord to the LORD and promise to make Him subject to HIM. Am I missing something here? If there was going to be a break down in commitment, the child is not the weakest link.

In our human mind we think that to do something there must be a rational accomplishment attached or it is a waste of energy and time. If we are going to commit to love someone there better be a return on that investment. Ever hear the phrase “waste of skin”? How about “not worth the dynamite to blow them up”? Those kinds of assessments might well be applied to any and all of mankind. Actually the Bible sort of did already, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. Like an arrow that hit the dirt before it ever got near the target. Does it matter if we fell short to the left of the target or to the right?

The fool who stepped in front of the freight train we can puzzle over. That is so unbelievable. Sit down and do the math. The laws of physics are not in your favor to even try to run along side and grab on to hitch a ride, much less try to interrupt the movement of that much mass. Looking at paragraph two above, how much farther into foolishness is the one who stands before the throne of El-Elohim, (same God, just OT Hebrew name), puts up his hand and tries to stop HIM. 6 miles is not enough to stop God, 6 galaxies would not be a bump in the road (1Kings 8:27). Remember He spoke and the worlds stood fast. On the other hand, should He choose, He could stop on a dime (or even smaller) for purposes of His mercy, which is new every morning (aren’t you glad).

What are you letting God do?

That is not funny
Have you given God permission to use part of your week? Is He allowed to get some of your stuff? Can He interrupt your schedule? Our lives have so many things that are going on that “have” to get done. Some of us are doing our best to work Jesus in but things are really hectic. He has to be patient. After a few more things get settled we will be a little freer with our time and money, then we can do God some good, Okay?
Actually, be afraid that He might take it ALL away to make you free now!

Are you letting God waste His Word in your own language, a printed copy in your possession sitting unused on the shelf? Are you letting God waste His preacher’s breath, sending words into the air, your heart unchanged? God is righteous and we remain the rebellious seed of Adam. Of our number, a few will find the narrow way but it will take diligent effort on their part. God does not roll out the red carpet for anyone. If they want into the Kingdom, they must knock, and they better make themselves heard. Matthew 10:33, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.“

In the Book of Revelations we read of a triumphal Jesus sitting on a white horse, with a sword coming out of His mouth laying waste to innumerable armies. Does that sound like a freight train? He can full well come through any time, anywhere, in the form of hurricanes, earthquakes, famine, or economic crash (there is a longer potential list, we don’t have time). Good times and bad times are not the point. While on this earth we have but a short while to reflect the love, justice, and mind of Christ. The circumstances are just that, circumstances, and they are just cardboard sets of the play we are acting in. The real question comes down to the attitude of your heart.

We cannot attempt to weigh the purpose. How can we possibly see all that is connected to our actions? Even if we could, does God even put all the details out to be seen? For that matter, when is the choice of taking the mission based on whether we agree that the task is a needful thing? We are here to obey, not to vote. Obedience that meets my approval is not obedience, but is agreement.

God is my Master, not my partner. He chooses to be our Father, Friend, Comforter, and Savior. We were brought in, so then rejoice in the receiving, but forget not to whom belong the power and the glory.