I seem to talk, think and write a lot about time. Maybe because at my age I’m fast running out of it. Or it could be because the world around me is fast spinning out of control. Whatever the reason, it’s my earthly time I’m thinking about here that is speeding on by like a runaway freight train. My heavenly time will begin when Jesus tells me my number on earth is up.
However – if it was up to me – the route this follower of Christ would take, would be the rapture route found in 1 Corinthians 15:52 . . . “In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
It’s hard enough to prepare for these changes in our bodies as the days and years speed on by, but seeing that change in our parents usually comes as a complete shock at the epiphany of “Oh my goodness my parents are old!” I imagine this same shock has happened with my children. I hope they will be encouraged as they look at me and think “Hmmm God’s still using mom in her old age, so there is hope He might use me in the same way.”
If I dwelt on the things of this world for my hope and happiness, I would be with the losing side in this war. But I don’t! I love the way Our Daily Bread put it one January edition – “Lord, help us to remember that while our lives are short, what we do for You now can have an impact long after we are home with You. Lead me today to invest in the lives of others.”
The world says it has the answers with its elixirs, diets, exercise programs, pain relief, not to mention plastic surgery. They all make claims of a new and improved body that will lead you to the mythical fountain of youth. Lets face it, we know this earthly body is terminal and no one gets out of this world alive no matter how vigorously we work at keeping our bodies fit.
The Bible tells us we are in Spiritual Warfare and that man’s or the world’s solutions are no match to this spiritual war between good and evil. So what does one do to be on the right spiritual side?
Here are some of the things that I found helped me over my ‘time’ I’ve alluded to here. Whatever choice you make, let me warn you if you choose Jesus don’t expect an easy road. But as I followed Jesus around all the bends, hills, valleys, ruts, and mine fields, He led me through to a happy, joyful, and peaceful life.
My time on the wrong road was fun and exciting to begin with, and brought me happiness for short periods of time, but eventually my sins turned to pain, tears, anger and regrets, with the glitter soon turning into what it really was ‘Fool’s Gold’ from the great deceiver.
A friend loaned me a book called “To a Different Drum” by Dr. Pauline G. Hamilton who wrote about her time as a Missionary in China. In it she listed three points about Jesus that resonated with me and thus my title for this article. However, I have taken the liberty to change parts of it to reflect my life’s journey. Like putting my name into scripture that doesn’t change the meaning, but personalizes it. Try doing the same as you read these points.
1) Jesus Never Let Me Go –
When God saved me in that little Salvation Army Hall when I was eleven years old – He promised me He would never let me go – that I was held by Him in His hand and was forever safe. I didn’t always remember that truth, but looking back now I see how He has kept a tight hold on me and hasn’t let me go. He didn’t let me go when I turned my face from Him and did things my way according to my feelings, but instead He showed me my need and wooed me to Himself. Nor did He let me return home when I was so discouraged and felt so much a failure; instead He showed me the plowman and my responsibility. He never let me go when I was disobedient and defied Him time and again; He was always there whenever I was willing to return and admit my failure and my need of Him.
2) He never let me down –
God promised to supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. He has never swerved from doing just that. He did not let me down when I was in danger or sick or when I had failed or was robbed. He didn’t let me down in times of wild inflation or when faced with exorbitant bills. Though He often kept me waiting until the last minute, His faithfulness didn’t waver. Material, physical and spiritual needs – He has met them all as He promised He would. He certainly has never let me down.
3) He Never Let Me Off –
This is a lesson I am still learning – that He has not and will not let me off the hook. I am committed to serve Him wherever and however He wills. It is a commitment that has nothing to do with my convenience. It is a life sentence, so to speak. It is a commitment not given begrudgingly but with joy. I am His, and He is my Sovereign Lord. I am retired as men see it; from God’s viewpoint I am recycled. The sphere of service has changed, not the call. He still has work for me to do, perhaps not with the same flurry of activity as before, but work that is His will, whether it is simply offering a helpful hand or reaching out to the lonely with uncomplicated friendliness. No, He is not about to let me off, not even in retirement.
This really sums it all up nicely about following Jesus, a different drummer — Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming . . . . WOW WHAT A RIDE!
