On Twitter a few weeks ago, I saw these two posts:
Yoda – “Do or do not. There is no try”
Joyce Meyer – “Where is your comfort zone? This job may be for you.”
These are speaking to me today and are related. Let me explain.
Joyce Meyer’s message comes from 2 Timothy where Paul is teaching Timothy about the end of days. It’s a 2-part message:
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (GNB): “Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days. People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious; they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God; they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power…”
When I read passages like that, I can completely understand why the Bible is called The Living Word. It is completely relevant today. It’s almost like someone was looking at our world today and writing this from the future.
And, if I am being 100% honest with myself, sounds like many of my behaviors. Ouch!
So, what’s next? What does The Bible tell us to do?
2 Timothy 4:1-5 (GNB): “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and because He is coming to rule as King, I solemnly urge you to preach the message, to insist upon proclaiming it (whether the time is right or not), to convince, reproach, and encourage, as you teach with all patience. The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear. They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to legends. But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances; endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the Good News, and perform your whole duty as a servant of God.”
Well, I cannot say that sounds easy. But, God never said it was easy. And, why should it be easy? That’s where Yoda comes in…
“Do or do not. There is no Try.”
This isn’t time for “toe in the water” faith. This is time for jumping in the deep end, in the middle of the pool, far away from the sides, fully trusting in the Lord faith.
Why are these speaking to me today?
I have several friends going through extremely rough times – family issues, job issues, health issues, etc. And, when I say issues – I am talking life changing, family changing, knock you off your feet issues. Using the pool analogy, someone has just pushed them into the middle of the deep end and they may not remember that they know how to swim.
Here is what I read my role is based on 2 Timothy 4:
- I must help them see that God is always Faithful! He is here for them, and always has been
- The challenges they are facing are real, and they will be difficult to overcome. But, they are not alone. They have us, and more importantly, God is right there with them.
- The situations they are in were not created by God. Some were created by people making really awful decisions. Some are unexplainable.
- That said, God will make something beautiful out of the mess. He didn’t choose it to happen, that was individual free will. He will see them through it – and make what’s to come even better than they could ever imagine!
They will hear all of the bad, all of the wrong, all of the worldly answers, all of the 2 Timothy 3 stuff. God calls us to be different. God calls us to take the narrow path. God calls us to preach, proclaim, reproach & encourage – regardless if the timing feels right…
“DO or DO NOT! There is NO TRY!”
With all of this, I know that I can not do this alone either. I know that when I seek Him first, He will help me find the right words. He will help me understand when it is time to talk, and when it is time to listen. When it is time to hold them close, and when it is time to let them stand on her own.
There is a song that has been in my head and on my heart for the last few weeks. It’s “Lift My Life Up” by Unspoken. If you haven’t heard it, I highly recommend it! Here are the verses that have been with me:
Verse 1:
“You’ve brought me this far, so why would I question You now? You have provided, so why would I start to doubt? I’ve never been stranded, abandoned, or left here to fight alone. So I’m giving you control.”
Verse 2:
“If peace is a river, then let it sweep over me. If I’m under fire, I know it’s refining me. When I hear you calling out, I follow now, wherever the road may go. I know You’re leading me home.”
