Becoming a Master Student – Page 3 – The Turning Points of Life

Functional Faith

This notion of “functional faith” came to me as I lay in bed awaiting sleep to unfold. The thought caused me to imagine the consequences of functional faith to the believer. As an engineer, functional means that whatever it is that’s functional, it does what it’s supposed to do. It simply works. And functional faith is faith that successfully brings us through our failures and the adversity that we inevitably face. Faith has that purpose, to keep us in oneness with God to ensure our future with Him. The following scripture shed light on faith and what it means for us.

I begin with two passages in scripture where I believe Jesus is telling us why faith is so important,

Luke 18:7-9 New King James Version

⁷And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? ⁸I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

In these words from Jesus, He highlights the one thing He will be looking for in us, FAITH. This is not surprising when we recall the moment His key disciple Peter was about to be tested by Satan.

Luke 22:31-32 New King James Version

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

³¹^[a]And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. ³²But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

In these two passages Jesus makes clear the critical nature of our faith not only for our journey in this life, but for the life after Jesus’ return. There is another passage that offers some insight into our task with our stewardship of our faith.

Luke 12:48 Living Bible

…. Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater.

The “much” here is the faith that God has shed abroad in our hearts.

Romans 12:3 New King James Version

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts

³For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Romans 12:3 New Living Translation

³Because of the privilege and authority^[a] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

Ephesians 2:8 New King James Version

⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

This faith that God has so generously given to us, in all its greatness, has imputed to us great responsibility. It is clear from the words of Jesus in these passages that faith is key to our future. He found it necessary in Peter’s case to pray that his faith would not fail him. We can extrapolate that the same love that Jesus had for Peter, He also has for us. Then He prays for you and me that our faith will not fail us. Best we take that to heart.

I find it interesting how the Message Bible offers some insight on how we can manage our stewardship of this precious gift of faith from God.

Romans 12:3 The Message

³I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

This last statement is like a compass for us as we navigate life and our journey. Let the gratitude for “what God is and by what he does for us” be the spirit that rules our vision and our character. Apostle Paul offers profound perspective on how we can be effective in prospering our God-given faith in Philippians.

Philippians 4:6-7 New King James Version

⁶Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Paul gives interesting insight into pitfalls and weapons we have for diligent protection over the gift of faith in Ephesians. The Message translation offers wording that is quite clear.

Ephesians 6:13-18 The Message

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

If we take these words to heart, we can experience how our faith will be strong, resilient, and profound.

Turning Point

The evolving guidance of the words of God as presented in scripture instill profound gratitude and inspiration to continue to grow in this faith that God has gifted to us. I hope my sharing these insights they will be a turning point for you my readers as they are for me.

Transformative Scripture

Part 1

The study of scripture has always been filled with new revelations that can transform our perspectives and understanding and even our character. I am presenting several of these scriptural texts that have been transformative for me. I have highlighted the words or phrases that caught my attention and inspired deliberation and growth.

Ezekiel 22:30 New English Translation

³⁰“I looked for a man from among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it, but I found no one.

When I read this, I have the sense that God feels saddened that when He needed someone to step up to fulfill a desperate need, He found no one. This inspires me to say, “Lord, take me!” From my experiences, when I stood up to fulfill a need, even when I felt inadequate for the task, God provided whatever I lacked thereby allowing the task to be successfully fulfilled. The feeling that God is often let down by fearful and reluctant humans, inspires one to have the courage to step up and step in to fulfill a void.

Psalm 139:23-24 Living Bible

²³Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. ²⁴Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

This scripture is the finale to one of the most inspiring Psalms. It speaks of the reality of the inescapable presence of God in our life. Whether we believe it or not, God has a deep interest in our life and His presence ought to create a profound gratitude the eludes description. The final words in verses 23 and 24 are the psalmist’s desire to take full advantage of God’s presence. He invites God to search his very being and seeks to know if he is brining any hint of sadness to the heart of God. This has inspired me to add this thought to my prayers for I would hate to God to become sad because of me and my sinful thoughts.

Luke 12:48 Living Bible

…. Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater.

When we are amazed as we realize how great we have been blessed by the God of Love and Grace and mercy and forgiveness, we understand our mission – to love one another as we have been so profoundly loved.

Matthew 5:41 New King James Version

⁴¹And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

The lesson of the second mile is significantly transformative as it opens doors for untold opportunities to growth. Making strangers into faithful friends.

Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

This scripture provides a comprehensive glimpse into the gifts the Holy Spirit can instill into one’s character. It takes the deliberate intention to develop each into a conduct and perspective on life.

Luke 18:7-9 New King James Version

In these word from Jesus, He highlights the one thing He will be looking for in us, FAITH. This is not surprising when we recall the moment His key disciple Peter was about to be tested by Satan.

Luke 22:31-32 New King James Version

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

³¹^[a]And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. ³²But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Here Jesus knowing the test that Simon Peter was on the brink of failing, Jesus prays for the one and only thing that will get Peter through the test unscathed, FAITH! From this I see that our most critical possession is the FAITH that our loving God has so graciously implanted into our soul. We must protect it and nurture it relentlessly and at all cost.

Let me draw your attention to the carefully worded message of Jesus to Peter (and us!) where He says “when” referring to His expected success of Peter. He didn’t use “if” which would imply Peter might fail. Such is the absolute confidence Jesus has in the success of His prayers for Peter and you and me!

Turning Point

I find that scripture contains words that reveal the eternal truths. And like a diamond, each time we read them they reveal a facet not seen in previous encounters. It’s like a flower unfolding revealing beauty previously hidden within its bud. Each revelation inspires the next exploration.

Mother’s Prayers

My mother was a diligent teacher. She had a deep faith forged through her health issues she battled during her youth. For me, her most profound teaching for me was her prayers. She began praying with me when I was only three months old. Later at about a year old, before I went to bed each night and after my dad read me a story, I went to my crib and knelt down to pray. My mother coached me to pray every night prior to going to sleep and when I took a nap during the day. Fortunately, my mother took pictures to remind me of how my praying began.

The first prayer I learned was the traditional child’s prayer that went like this:

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

And if I die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my soul to take.

I probably didn’t fully understand this prayer when I first learned it, but I learned the concept of praying. It was ground work for a developing prayer life that continued to evolve as years went by.

Each experience in my life that was life changing and a turning point was indelibly integrated with praying. Prayer was an integral component before, during or after those turning points, even if I didn’t realize that they were at the time.

Prayer became a means for me to express my sincere gratitude and thanksgiving for the many blessings I experienced during my growth as a Christian. But prayer was much more than that, even as important as thanksgiving was for me.

As prayer experiences grew over time, more aspects of prayer’s benefits were realized.

I learned that prayer gave me an opportunity to discover new ways to express my deepest feelings toward God. I found new words and combinations of words to articulate thanksgiving, appreciation, hope, desires, and longings to my Father.

I discovered that how I prayed had a profound effect on my attitude and demeanor throughout the day. When I begin the day praying, “Dear God, I thank you for the light of another day” I find myself being grateful for life and am motivated to make the most of it.

Prayers I have found changed things and most importantly changed me.

When I prayed, “Lord, please give me a heart with skill to listen as I want to be able to hear even the soft whisper of your Holy Spirit when He seeks to guide my path into your perfect will for me today” I had a heightened awareness of the urging of the Spirit. I felt His guiding words and thoughts moving me into extraordinary life experiences throughout the day.

My prayer often included thoughts like, “Lord, I want so much to be able to express the feelings of thanksgiving that pulse in my heart and soul. But I can’t find the words to do it. Please look into my heart and see there the thanksgiving I cannot say in words.” Subsequently, I felt that my true thankfulness reached God, and I was content.

I found on social media the following that echoes these thoughts:

Praying for the souls that were precious to me in life but had passed on, gave me a means to express to them how much I loved them and appreciated their contribution to my life. In some cases, it enabled me to seek forgiveness from those I had hurt in life but never had the opportunity to seek forgiveness prior to their passing.

I found that praying for someone as an intercessor, gave me a more meaningful and effectual connection with them and hence enabled me to become a blessing for them. This was particularly evident when I sought to comfort those who had suffered the loss of a loved one.

Many times I prayed silently when I was in the midst of challenging circum-stances. Not knowing what was happening, understanding how to react or respond and what to say, I quietly prayed in thought, only then to experience just the right action or words to say flowing into me.

I discovered that when I prayed aloud in the presence of others, especially when I was praying as an intercession for them as they struggled with a situation, the fact that a prayer is a spiritual entity allowed them to sense that which was beyond just the words, but also the spirit prompting them. In these cases, most often I found the words coming to me not from my mind but from the Holy Spirit. They were designed by God to comfort and respond to the needs of the souls involved. I gained a sense of gratefulness for being used as an instrument of blessing for them.

In situations that were beyond me, I found that during deep and urgent prayers, I gained a knowledge that I had not understood before. It was the evidence for me that prayer was not a one way conversation but rather a dialogue. Not a traditional dialogue comprised of words going back and forth, but a communication of spiritual thoughts. The more I experienced this phenomenon, the more I became sensitive to it. I have stood in awe at times when serious questions were answered in these sweet hours engaged in prayer.

The consequences of prayers have changed me in ways beyond my ability to explain. Reading the prayers of men and women in the Bible has also provided new dimensions to my understanding of effectual prayer. Solomon’s prayer “give me a heart with skill to listen” and David’s prayer “Search my heart oh God and see if there is anything that makes you sad” have provided me with ways to touch the heart of God with humble supplications.

The most life changing aspect of prayer was those extraordinary moments when prayers were answered almost instantaneously. The answers received were so perfectly precise and effectual that there was no doubt of its reality. Sometimes, the meticulous nature of the answers that came in the form of my thoughts, words I spoke or the actions of others were so astounding that uncontrollable emotions erupted in me.

Certain answers to prayers provided new understanding of the heart of God and His perfect plan for me and others. The benefits I have experienced with praying are far beyond this effort to explain.

TURNING POINTS

The life of prayer that I have enjoyed has been a lifetime of turning points. My praying has given me comfort, strength, faith, trust and vision from my relationship with my God and Father, His Son and His Spirit. I find that the character of prayer that is independent of time, place and form allows it to be effectively engaged in the moment.

. . . . And Then Some

“When we have done our best, we can wait the results in peace.”`
-Unknown

I don’t know who said this, but I do know that they were right on target. Let’s take goals, for example. We set goals to keep us focused on the important things in our life, personal goals, career goals, spiritual goals, family goals, health goals, etc.

Sometimes we set out with great enthusiasm to reach these goals, but occasionally there are circumstances that set us back. Some circumstances within our control . . . some not. But there is a wonderful feeling of peace when I know in my heart that I’ve done my best. Because win or lose, I know that I’m more prepared for my next battle in life.

Committing to excellence is not an act, it’s an attitude. It’s an attitude that is captured in this short thought titled: And Then Some…

And then some . . . these three little words are the secret to success. They are the difference between average people and top people in most companies. The top people always do what is expected . . . and then some.
They are thoughtful of others; they are considerate and kind…and then some.
They meet their responsibilities fairly and squarely…and then some.
They are good friends and helpful neighbors…and then some.
They can be counted on in an emergency…and then some.
I am thankful for people like this, for they make the world a better place. Their spirit of service is summed up in these three little words…and then some.”

If we carry the attitude of “And Then Some”, throughout our life, when our time on earth is almost gone, we will wait the results in peace.

[The above article’s author is unknown]

TURNING POINTS

The principle of “. . . and then some” reminds me of two scriptural truths that have the wisdom to direct one’s path to successfully become a blessing for others.

Luke 12:48 Living Bible

…. Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater.

Matthew 5:41 New King James Version

⁴¹And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

These two scriptural lessons are potential turning points to those with the courage to employ them. For me they have created countless blessings for my pursuit to become a person of value.

[Note: for more on this principle see “The Extra Mile – The Second Mile” on this blog July 2021]

Criticism

Criticism is something everyone experiences. The question is what it means to the recipient? A major consideration in answering that question is what is the character of that person? How do they feel about themselves? What is their sensitivity? There are many possible responses to criticism. Some are highly offended on one end while others are appreciative because it allows one to improve by self-examination.

Criticism is leveled from one to another as disapproval of perceived faults or mistakes. The intensity of the criticism is typically based on the perceived cost of the mistake. The intensity is also affected by the possible stress in the relationship between the parties.

As a youth, I was very sensitive to criticism. It was painful because it made me feel like I was less than who I wanted to be. It made me feel like a failure. But I was at a point in maturity that required learning who I was and who I wanted to be. In a surprising moment of clarity, I drew a conclusion. In retrospect, it was a very mature and wise decision. I developed a way to accept and deal with criticism that I deemed would never end.

Criticism, I decided was a way of life. No matter how good or bad you are, criticism dwells in every life. And it will come out of many spirits and under many names. It will be the result of jealousy, anger, resentment, and political sides and on the other hand it will surface as genuine interest in support of another person. I have experienced all of these.

When someone wants to mask their criticism, they will offer it with the weak caveat of “constructive criticism”. Seldom is such criticism accepted as “constructive”. It still bites the ego and does little to assuage the hurt the criticized feels.

The perspective that I chose for receiving the inevitable criticism I know I will experience in the circle of my relationships is this:

Criticism, regardless of the spirit with which it is offered,
Has at least some shreds of truth.
I challenge myself to rise above any sense of hurt.
And search for that truth shred and embrace it.
Then use it to change into a better person.

This perspective provides some very important and valuable benefits. Initially, it gives some relief to the hurt because it gives potential value to the criticism. It reveals a weakness that I previously did not see and now am able to address and resolve. Additionally, I see the value of a specific criticism to make me a better person. I can now easily not only forgive the critic but also thank them for helping me see the truth.

TURNING POINTS

This realization of criticism and how it can be seen as a benefit to growth and maturity was a big turning point that has served me throughout my life in service, friendship and business.

Adversity To The Rescue

Genesis 50:19-20 New King James Version

¹⁹Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? ²⁰But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

Genesis 50:19-20 The Message

^19-20Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid. Do I act for God? Don’t you see, you planned evil against me, but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people.

Adversity to the rescue.

I have experienced countless times when I have lived this very truth, God has the ability and desire to turn adversity into blessings. When facing problems, I trust the Lord who inevitably has “something up His sleeve” to surprise me as He reveals His solution in His perfect time.

I am reminded of the following story that illustrates this truth.

The Donkey in The Well

A farmer had an old dried up well on his farm. No matter what he did, he could not revive the well and so planned to fill it in. But alas he procrastinated.

One day his prized donkey wandered around the farm and came upon the well. Curious, the donkey edged closer and closer until standing at the brink the ground gave way and the donkey tumbled into the well.

Standing for hours trapped in the well, the donkey figured his time had come and he was about to die.

The farmer, noticing that his prized donkey was nowhere to be seen began to wander around in search of the wayward donkey. As he approached the well, he heard the wining brays of the donkey.

The donkey thought, “Aha, finally my master has arrived to rescue me!”

The farmer, upon gazing on the dilemma that now faced him wondered, “How am I going to get the donkey out of the depths of the well?”

Suddenly, an idea came to the famer’s troubled mind. Off he went to the barn running with purpose.

The donkey was now in a state of extreme dismay as he heard his master leaving. “What is this?” he mused, “I thought he was going to rescue me? I am doomed!”

Now the farmer quickly returned with a shovel and proceeded to vigorously shovel the dirt he had prepared to fill in the well. Shovelful after shovelful fell into the well each landing on the confused donkey. The farmer’s shoveling was relentless.

The donkey, standing at the bottom of the well was furious. “What in the world is my master doing? Trying to bury me? Has he given up on saving me? What am I going to do?”

The donkey had no other recourse than to shake off each shovelful as they landed on his back and then step up as the dirt piled up around his feet. Step by step, shovelful after shovelful, slowly the donkey rose until the well’s edge was in sight. Suddenly the donkey realized he was being saved.

The farmer soon had the donkey within a few feet of ground level and the donkey was finally stepped out of the well.

This story illustrates what happens when we are facing adversity in life and we become overwhelmed as there is no feasible answer readily known. We might tend to feel lost and with little or no hope of a positive resolution.

I wonder what went through Joseph’s mind before he realized “what God had up His sleeve” for him. After all, Jospeh experienced a long string of one adversity after another. But in the long run, he became the great blessing for multitudes of people that God intended.

Adversity is the crucible that transforms for the greatest good for so many. Is your current bout with the adversity you are facing today having the makings of transforming you into a blessing for many? What does God “have up His sleeve” for you?

A dear friend of mine once said, “When you are facing adversity, it’s God saying, ‘Do you trust Me’?” Trusting the Lord with genuine and authentic trust is critical. Just think of the donkey. How much grief could have been avoided if only he trusted his master. Even when understanding is lacking, true trust can and will get us through to the final solution.

(See my book, Solomon’s Recipe for more on the power of trusting the Lord. There is a post – March 2015 – on this blog of my turning point “Solomon’s Recipe“ that inspired the book. See www.allanemusterer.com for more information)

TURNING POINTS

The realization that God is good, and He has only good for me, is the turning point that allows me to trust Him with an authentic trust. This saves me from unnecessary worry and fear and frees me to keep an eye focused on what my Lord has “up His sleeve” for my blessed future.

Who do I Trust?

Nahum 1:7 New King James Version

⁷The Lord is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble;
And He knows those who trust in Him.

This is the question that we face when things have not gone our way. When we find ourselves steep in a dilemma that life has sprung on us unawares. Where do we go? Who do I trust to get me through for the most beneficial outcome?

I have traversed eight decades of life and the troubles of life never cease to challenge me. It’s always a range of things from the simple to the complex, from the familiar to the unknown. My book, Solomon’s Recipe, provides a tried-and-true solution that has brought me through countless challenges. The recipe begins with the requirement for trusting in the Lord. Not just any trust, but genuine authentic trust. The trust that is most difficult to achieve and even more difficult to maintain.

As I continue my journey, I am acutely aware of new and innovative ways to maintain the trust in the Lord that I have embraced for years and hopefully for years to come. The passage from Nahum is one of those touch stones that provide encouragement to deepen and maintain my trust in the Lord.

This passage begins with the most important perspective one must possess if there can be any meaningful measure of trust in the Lord. That is the conviction that God is good. This is a firm foundation on establishing a truly valid trust in the Lord.

Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

The goodness of God is fundamental to His Spirit. The challenge for us is to see it and believe it. One might say that is so easy. No it isn’t, not when we are faced with the biggest challenges. The thoughts come fast and furious: “Why would God allow this to beset me? What shall I do now? Where do I turn?

If we truly believe and know from experience that God is genuinely and forever good, then we can fix our trust on that. As soon as we can set the fact that God is good, we can then move on to the next step, see Him as a stronghold in our time of trouble. This is a key stage in navigating positively the trouble life continually join us in our life’s travel. He is meant to be our strong refuge, our potent advocate, yes, our Savior!

Now we come to a most powerful truth, He knows those who trust in Him! Imagine the inspiring strength that gives us when we can appreciate that He knows ME! I am not alone! He knows me and my situation. And there is no situation that He can’t handle for me. Wow! Who knew that trust in Him could have such profound power? But it does! And it’s really all we need when the challenges seek to overwhelm us.

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART!

As I am want to do, I always explore additional versions of a profound bible passage. Here are a couple for you to consider and see if new feelings course through your soul, heart and mind.

Nahum 1:7 New Living Translation

⁷The Lord is good,
a strong refuge when trouble comes.
He is close to those who trust in him.

Nahum 1:7 Amplified Bible

⁷The Lord is good,
A strength and stronghold in the day of trouble;
He knows [He recognizes, cares for, and understands fully] those who take refuge and trust in Him.

TURNING POINTS

This bible passage and the sermon on Sunday July 2^nd that opened new vistas on the concept of “trusting God”, I found it very comforting to realize that God knows those who trust Him. God knows me. I hope others will see the value of trusting God genuinely and experiencing the expansion of its value.

Grieving V

Grief is in our hands, we can lament the “loss” or celebrate the eternal treasures someone passed on to us through the profound love shared in a life together.

I choose the latter.

It brings me peace and comfort and gratitude that blossoms into joy. Joy that we had each other long enough to know authentic love. Joy that God saw fit to bring us together in this life and find love and friendship that continue to reap an abundant harvest of treasured gifts.

TURNING POINTS

When I see social media posts that provide new insights into grieving, I consider the sentiment expressed and seek to understand what prompted it. Each such experience enhances the mastery of my grieving process and brings new joy to my heart.

The New Commandment

John 13:34-35 New King James Version

³⁴A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I have read this Bible verse hundreds of times in my life. But when communing with the Holy Spirit, there is always something new in the realization of its depth. Sometimes, there is a new perspective that opens, and I think, “why didn’t I see that before?”

Seeing a new understanding of an old word highlights the obvious that wasn’t so obvious on previous visits to the word. This prompts the thought I need to combat the feeling that I can dismiss the possibility of new revelations when I see a word again and again.

The children’s choir in South African were signing a song that employed the “New Commandment” as the lyrics to a song that moved my soul.

It dawned on me as I contemplated the singing of “A New Commandment” that I must become more aware of just how Jesus has loved me.

As I consider this notion, which should have been self-evident those hundreds of time I read it before, requires some very deliberate and focused introspection. I anticipate a long and interesting exploration of just how in the myriad ways Jesus has loved me and those near and dear to me.

TURNING POINTS

When I am extricated from my daily rituals by some unexpected event or experience, I find there is a turning point lurking in the moment. This was one of those moments. I have always appreciated what God has done and continues to do in my life, but there is always room to enhance my depth of gratitude.

No Strings Attached

There are in life situations where we make a commitment. Signing a contract or buying a car or a house, the buyer makes a commitment and so does the seller. We have all heard the term “buyer beware” and “it’s all in the small print”. These allude to the fact that when a deal is not “above board” there are things deliberately hidden that if known would kill the deal.

When something seems “too good to be true” there are hidden strings that will bring regret when they are eventually discovered. My old high school teacher used to pound into us students his warning, “You can’t get something for nothing!” His message was: look out for the strings attached and buried in the deliberately very small fine print.

We ought to be wary when buying or entering into any contract. Go with our eyes wide open for the hidden strings. But we also need to consider our conduct relative to our commitments that we make in our life. Do we operate with our own hidden strings, or does our fine print that deceives the other party exist in the agreements we make?

At this point you might be wondering where I am going with this. I am considering the spiritual commitments we make in our relationship with our Lord. Jesus was well aware of the human condition that couldn’t be missed during his 30 years of growing up in the society of His time. He surely saw many instances of “fine print” and “strings attached” in the activities to which He was privy.

As Jesus assembled His followers, He taught them what He needed and expected from discipleship. There was one very telling moment that revealed His “no strings attached” condition. He had answered a rich man’s question as to what he needed to do to get to heaven. Jesus told him to sell all that he had and follow Him. Sadly, the “strings” of his wealth were attached to his soul, and he walked away. Then Peter speaking for the others said, “we have given up everything to follow you!” And Jesus answered.

Matthew 19:29 [New King James Version]

²⁹And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

And in the Message translation, the thought is amplified:

Matthew 19:29-30 [The Message]

^28-30Jesus replied, “Yes, you have followed me. In the re-creation of the world, when the Son of Man will rule gloriously, you who have followed me will also rule, starting with the twelve tribes of Israel. And not only you, but anyone who sacrifices home, family, fields—whatever—because of me will get it all back a hundred times over, not to mention the considerable bonus of eternal life. This is the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first.”

We know from John what eternal life is for us.

John 17:3 [New King James Version]

³And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

As we progress in our knowing the Triune God, we make more and more progress when we can cut the strings attached to our being. Each of us has our own unique strings. Jesus noted that the strings that hold us back and bind us are not trivialities, but things we hold very dear. It serves us well when we can raise the level of our thinking to that of our God who tells us “Your ways are not My ways, and your thoughts are not Mine; for My ways and thoughts are higher than yours.” [Isaiah 55:9]

I am reminded of another experience with Jesus when a woman accused of adultery was brought to Him. The accusers, armed with the stones designed to mete out the expected judgement of death by stoning asked Jesus for His judgement. With pregnant pause Jesus said, “he who is without sin, cast the first stone.” One by one, stones were dropped harmlessly to the ground as the accusers humbly left the scene. Our stones are the prejudices and opinions we tenaciously grip. They too are strings that must become unattached to us.

So how do we raise our thoughts and my ways? Seek communion with the Holy Spirit. He will gladly lead our thoughts to be elevated to see our stones that need dropping and our strings that need trimming. Then on the Day of the Lord, we can stand prepared to go with Him, NO STRINGS ATTACHED!

TURNING POINTS

Preparing ourselves for the return of Jesus, we need to do personal appraisals of how we stack up to our God’s expectations from and hope in us. A significant part of that preparation is the assessment of our thoughts and prejudices. What strings do I yet need to sever and what stones do I need to release. We need to become like little children with their free spirituality that adult reality steals from us and ushers in cynicism. Our trust in the Lord must be deep and authentic enough to negate our insistence on understanding. Reaching a state of acknowledging our God and His love for us opens our hearts and mind to the whisper of the Holy Spirit as He seeks to guide us in word, thought and deed.