Give Up Now and Avoid the Rush

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor.4:17-18

Years ago a conversation with Sybil had me create (for her eyes only) a ‘DiscouraGem’ as comic relief. Of course my articles were a little odd (round the bend for some) and I did not dream any part of this would reach the light of day. However, a careful dissection of ‘Give up now and avoid the Rush’ made it the first time around a few years back, but this time around it seems she has put it in undissected!
Does your life resemble the kitchen sink after you pulled the plug? Do you see your life circling the bowl and help does not seem forthcoming?
Have you caught your psychiatrist playing back tapes of your recent session and laughing his head off?
Well take my advice and give up now and avoid the rush!
I would guess the first and most drastic way would be to give up on God entirely, but that to me would be like sticking my face in the toilet and slamming the lid repeatedly on the back of my head. This would not be high on my ‘Up Giving List’.
Still, what does a person do who is forgiven all their sins and has the guarantee of heaven and all its joys, and we complain about something?
Jesus opens His arms and we can feel the warmth if we try, but we pay attention to the evening news and are told the assurance of life on this planet is so bleak, dark and foreboding. Why wouldn’t we give up?
Lest you believe this article is wholly negative, I would offer the following advice to help you experience the joy within our church and regain some of the levity you experienced as a new Christian.
(back page)
Five Ways To Get ‘The Look’
The Look of course, is the one you get after you offend some ones sensibilities (especially effective in church). It goes from disdain to fear so quickly you can’t help but laugh. Lets begin with number five and work up to number one!

5) Mention Science and God in the same sentence.
4) Propose we take up a collection for underpaid politicians.
3) Whistle the next hymn.
2) Tell the four year old in the pew in front of you that Santa is only a myth.
1) Fall asleep at Bible study.

We have the keys to the Kingdom and sometimes we worry the toilet paper might not be quilted. We know God on a personal level and we cannot but feel the weight of our everyday existence.
Jesus is there to act as our representative with God and we worry the Maple Leafs won’t win or, if it will rain – or???
We are all guilty and what a sadness.
Let our steps be quick and light. We are free from the bondage of sin and the weight of deserved death. Dancing should be easy, smiling close at hand.
Your neighbor will see someone with an inner peace and joy which he or she may want to emulate.
Or, I guess we could just – give up now and avoid the rush.
Have a Great Day!
Ted

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *