Spent Time

The misty gray day showed up with just enough light to awaken me. I was on slow time. But that's not new. I'm slower now with so many spent time behind me. And I guess that's true for many of you who read this blog. But not all. And so I pray for you and whatever pace sets your day's clock. Just don't outrun God. I know, that's an odd thing to read, but I heard it more than once from pulpits, books and conversations. But not in recent years. We have Daytimers, Smart watches, Fitbit trackers of our steps and more. Then there's the ticking clock within us. Add the gizmos up and it's more than enough to keep us panting and pushing on without a pause within sight.

Well, that's how I'm feeling about the country I love right now. While there's a lot of God talk flying around, it feels more like we're outrunning God with our agendas, claims and demands. Sometimes I want to shout, "That doesn't sound like the Jesus I'm following!" As I write, a Gaither CD plays, "He giveth more grace." Grace seems in short supply. Not on God's part, but ours towards each other.

So what can we do? Well, I choose to sing and pray. A lot. Music lifts the clouds of despair. At the moment, Cynthia Clawson is singing, "Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling. Calling for you and for me to come home." I need reminders of where my true home is and where to place my trust. Words matter. And as much as I love my country, we don't live in isolation from the rest of the world and cannot claim God's blessings only for ourselves. Why? The first Bible verse I learned as a little kid was John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (KJV)

While most of you who read this blog know that Jesus is the name of that son, not all know or care about this Jesus. Especially, younger ones. Why? Too many of us have wrapped the Church and God in the flag of the USA. We sing, hymn-like, God Bless the USA. The flag that raises in me is red. As in, STOP! When Jesus says that his kingdom is not of this world, I believe he meant it. So we shouldn't expect God's throne to show up in Washington, D.C.

What can we expect? Only God knows but gives hints. So we need to listen up. Meanwhile, the clearest command to guide is LOVE. Love God and each other. Not easy but possible by God's Spirit within us and our willingness to act as if the people we interact with matter to God. They do.

Well, speaking of spent time, I've pushed the limits. Thanks for staying with me. While I was writing the Gaither Homecoming audience sang, "Have a little talk with Jesus." And that's where I end up, after I climb down from my soapbox most times. Like I wrote yesterday I pray before, during and after posting. But I'm not claiming or blaming God for what I wrote today or any day. But I do trust God to do whatever with these words, even wad 'em up and toss 'em in the nearest trash basket.

Still, after all's said and done, I'm not sorry I spent part of my time writing a blog. And I'm sure not sorry for trusting Jesus with my life and for pausing often to have a little talk with Jesus. So I hope you'll do the same with the time you have left to spend. Can't hurt. And I'm confident it will help more than just you. So "Now let us have a little talk with Jesus. Let us tell Him all about our troubles. He will hear our faintest cry and He will answer by and by."

However, don't let the "by and by" part cause you to fret, like I do sometimes. God's time differs from ours. And mostly, that gives me hope, keeps me wide-eyed and open handed for God's surprises.

You, too?

c