Vol. 17 No. 04 | January 26, 2015
Maybe this has happened to you. You are driving down the freeway or multi-lane street when you notice the car behind you is right behind you. They are on your rear so close that if you had to apply your brakes there is no way they could stop before ramming you. My wife has been known to call them “Proctologist Drivers.” You wonder, “What’s the hurry?”

As soon as there is a break in traffic they whirl into the other lane, gun the accelerator and blow by you, only to discover that there is no place to go. The vehicle now in front of them is moving slower than you are so they conduct their medical exam on the new car. That is until they see about half enough space to get back in front of you. Not really enough space, but enough that they give it a try. So, they swing over in front of you causing you to slam on your brakes to keep from hitting them. All this only to realize there is another car now in front of them and everyone must come to a stop at a red light. You again shake your head and wonder, “What’s the hurry?”

Or maybe you have been standing in line to check out at the grocery store or a department store when a frazzled mother attempts to corral two small children as they reach and grab and pull things off the shelves. As she finishes her business and prepares to leave she notices one of her little ones has wandered back around the candy counter investigating the magazines and gadgets positioned there to attract just such curious eyes. At the peak of her frustration the mother uses his full name as she pleads, “Pleeeeeaaaaase hurry up!” Though you understand her frustration and fatigue you wonder, “What’s the hurry?”

Or maybe this scenario is more familiar and personal. You have an important appointment, not life changing, but important. Traffic is slow. Like the driver mentioned earlier you are edging closer and closer, too close, to the car in front of you. You reach the parking lot, quickly exit your car, and move quickly and deliberately toward the door. Out of the corner of your eye you notice an older couple, frail and weak, struggling to get out of their car. You move on. Sitting in the waiting room you reflect on the last half hour and ask yourself, “What’s the hurry?”

“What’s the hurry?”

I wonder if Jesus had our hurried pace in mind when He spoke, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34, NIV) Or, when He invited us to, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)

As I read those words it is as if He would add, “Tom, what’s your hurry? I have given you plenty of time to do everything I want you do on this day. If you will walk with me throughout the day, you will accomplish all the things I have planned for your to accomplish. Relax. Rest in me. Live in the moments of this day. Do not hurry beyond the moment. I have something special planned for you in each moment, each human encounter, and even in each irritating interruption.”

Maybe Jesus is asking you the same question as you hurry through your day. Just in case you are too busy to hear Him let me ask, “What’s your hurry?”

Tom
© Copyright 2015 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 03 | January 18, 2015
Six times in the gospels Jesus is recorded saying, “Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew 11:15, 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8; 14:35) Whether giving specific instructions or telling a story His message was the same, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” This is good advice when listening to Jesus and good advice in every day living.

If you had only listened to the warning signs you might not have taken that job that required so much of you that you neglected your family.

If you had only listened to the doctor’s advice you would have taken better care of yourself and maybe you would not be so sick and experiencing poor health today.

If you had only listened to your parents when they warned you about some of your friends, you might not have gotten pulled into some of the compromising situations.

If you had only listened to your friends when they warned you about that guy you were dating you might not have gotten into the mess you did with him.

If you had only listened to everything the salesman was saying you would not have gotten suckered into that deal that sounded too good to be true.

If you had only listened to your boss you would have known more about the customer and might have made the sale.

If you had only listened to your mentor you could have avoided many of the mistakes you have made and would be further along in your career.

If you had only listened to your coach you might have gotten that scholarship and played in college like you had dreamed of doing.

If you had only listened to your college advisor you would have graduated on time and might have gotten that job you really wanted instead of feeling stuck where you are.

If you had only listened to Spirit when you sensed He was speaking to you would have followed His nudge and stopped and talked that lady you rode in the elevator with, and would have asked her, “Are you okay? Can I help?”

If you had only listened to the Word when you were reading you would have understood the point the other guy was making and not jumped to such an outlandish judgment.

If you had only listened to the Lord when you felt He was calling your to follow the passion of your heart you might be living the dream in the mission field.

If you had only listened to your heart instead of always doing what seemed to be the safest and most practical route you might not be hounded by so many regrets in your life today.

If you had only listened instead of planning what you were going to say when they stopped talking you might have realized that you had much more in common than you thought you did.

If you had only listened you might not be reading this and thinking about those times you wish you had listened.

James said it like this, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19-20, NIV)

If you had only listened…

“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

Tom

Vol. 17 No. 02 | January 12, 2015

On Sunday morning I preached from the judgement scene passage from Matthew 25:31-46. I admitted that every time I dwell for very long on this passage I become angry, sad, disappointed, and discouraged because we so often fall short of ministering to the least of these as the sheep are rewarded for doing.

During my sermon I included this piece of writing that I have periodically read and shared in various settings for forty years.

You Seem So Holy
I was hungry, and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.
I was imprisoned, and you crept off to your chapel and prayed for my released.
I was naked, and in your mind you debate the morality of my appearance.
I was sick, and you knelt and thanked God for your health.
I was homeless, and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God.
I was lonely, and you left me alone to pray for me.
You seem so holy, so close to God
But I am still very hungry — and lonely — and cold.
[Anonymous]

My challenge to the assembly and my challenge to this electronic congregation is when?

When will we — God’s people — realize that taking care of the least of these…the hungry, the lonely, the helpless, and those in bondage?

When will we — God’s people — realize that our work is not about bigger buildings, deeper pockets, more elaborate programming, or larger numbers in our assemblies?

When will we — God’s people — realize that our mission field is lost people, not people of faith who are attached to a community of faith that goes by a name different than ours?

When will we — God’s people — acknowledge that we tend to be easily distracted from our purpose by trying to do too much, build a reputation, or gain political influence?

When will we — God’s people — understand that turning on our lights, providing comfortable seating, and setting out coffee and donuts is not all there is to ministering to the least of these?

When will we — God’s people — realize that demanding that the Ten Commandments be posted in public places, complaining about prayer being unlawful in public schools, protesting outside abortion clinics is not the same as feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and spending time with a lonely person?

When will we — God’s people — realize that ministering to the least of these means that it doesn’t matter how they are dressed, how the smell, the kind of language the may use, or the amount of ink on their body?

When will we — God’s people — understand that ministering to the least of these is not limited exclusively to ministers, priests, clergy, elders, deacons, and credentialed professionals?

When will we — God’s people — realize that ministering to the least of these may require us to interact with people of another color, another culture, or another political party.

When will we — God’s people — realize that ministering to the least of these may involve sacrifice, inconvenience, and unpleasantness, not merely writing a check or dropping some cash in a basket.

When will we — God’s people — realize that ministering to the least of these is not our legal obligation that insures our ticket into heaven, but the natural response to being counted as one of God’s children.

When will we — God’s people — realize that ministering to the least of these is the same as ministering to Jesus and is the same thing that Jesus did and would do if He were here today.

When?

Soon I hope.

Tom

© Copyright 2015 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 01 | January 5, 2015

Year end reflections invariably reveal the remarkable impact of God’s providential care of His children. The evidence is impossible to ignore for the conscientious follower of Jesus. If you have not taken inventory of how God has worked in your life over the last twelve months, please reward yourself by acknowledging how God has stepped into your world at just the right time and in just the right way.

Remember how your world seemed to have no meaning when the relationship to end all relationships ended? You were devastated. You were heart broken. You wept. You grieved. You wondered if you would ever laugh again. Then, at just the right time a new special person came along, filled the void and opened new avenues of love and joy that you had never imagined.

Remember that horrible day when your boss told you that he had to terminate your employment? You were stunned. You did not have a clue this was going to happen. Having to go home and tell your wife that you had lost your job was the worst day of your life. Then, at the just the right time when you were not sure how you were going to pay your mortgage and health insurance, you got a call from a company offering you a new job, with a higher salary, and better working conditions.

Remember that afternoon when your daughter received the rejection from the university she had dreamed of attending? She dropped the letter, burst into tears, went into her room, and did not come out for hours. She was embarrassed. She was angry. She was sad. She was confused. There was nothing you could do to make things better. You prayed for her. You listened to her when she wanted to talk. Then, one day when she was at her lowest, at just the right time, she received an acceptance letter and an offer for a full-scholarship at another university. She started in the fall, has a wonderful roommate, and cannot imagine being at the other school.

Remember that Sunday at church when the minister announced he had accepted a ministry position with another church in another state? The whole church was shocked. He had been here for years. He is the only minister your family has ever known. You wondered if the church would survive. Then, at just the right time when you were discouraged and many of the members were grumbling and complaining about how things were, the new man showed up. You loved him immediately. His fresh vision and loving ways has brought new life and vitality to the church.

Remember that morning when your doctor told you he had seen something unusual on some of your scans? You were terrified. You immediately started imagining the worst possible scenarios. They did more tests. Then, they did more tests. What they thought they were looking for turned out to be nothing, but while doing the tests they discovered a tumor. Surgery to remove the tumor was completely successful. At just the right time when you didn’t know anything was wrong your life was saved.

Remember when you committed that horrible sin? The worst sin anyone ever committed. A sin you could not have ever imagined you could commit. You felt awful. In your mind you could not conceive of anyone being able to forgive you or love you ever again. Then, at just the right time when you were absolutely powerless you read Romans 5:6-8: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (NIV)

When we take the time at the end of a year, or any other time, we are likely to discover that God has been working for our good in ways we never dreamed of. And, at just the right time, He steps in to do what only He can do to change the course of our lives. Acknowledge His involvement in your life. Give Him credit. Praise His activity in your life. Live the rest of your life as an expression of gratitude for what He did at just the right time.

Tom

© Copyright 2015 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.