PRINCIPLE: “When you’re awake, go for the gold!”

Paul’s entire life was spent in preparation for the race. While I have no idea how many hours Paul spent ‘practicing’ and training, I do know he said, “Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Cor. 9:26-27) “When you’re awake, go for the gold!” I don’t know how many times Paul entered into competition, but I do know he felt the pains of opposition: “Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? “(2 Cor. 11:23-29) “When you’re awake, go for the gold!”I also know that Paul didn’t need to rely on perfection; rather he rested in grace. “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”(1 Cor. 15:9-10) “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”(2 Cor. 12:9) “When you’re awake, go for the gold!”

PRINCIPLE: “When the irritants irritate, drive!”

There are many things in life which irritate me. I’m irritated, for example, by the driver ahead of me on a two lane road, who keeps speeding up and slowing down – all because he’s paying more attention to his cell phone conversation than his driving. He’s a danger to others. I’m irritated when someone calls for tolerance but refuses to listen to my viewpoint. She’s a divider, not a unifier. It’s irritating when someone says “If I were you…”, because they’re not me. I imagine you have things which irritate you as well.

But there’s another kind of irritant that has grabbed my attention. It’s not something someone else has done or is doing that irritates me – it’s what I’m doing or not doing that causes the irritation. The nation of Israel was troubled by these irritants. In Numbers 33:55 God tells them “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live.” God knew their hearts – He knew that if they allowed temptations and evil to be among them, they would cave under the pressure and turn their backs on Him. So as they moved into enemy occupied territories God told them to drive out the inhabitants, to get rid of all evil that could potentially turn them in the wrong direction. If they did not, God warned, they would become barbs, splinters, pricks in their eyes and thorns in their sides. These tempting evils would irritate them to the point where they give in and give up.

What temptations, what habits, what tendencies towards sin are irritating you?  What are the ‘pulls’ on your life that that fill you with guilt or cause you anxiety? You’re tempted to click on that porn site, to take that one extra drink, to have that one ‘romantic’ fling, to lie on that application, to seek revenge on that person who hurt you…Whatever it is, drive it out. “When the irritants irritate, drive!” When someone or something other than Christ is controlling your desires and passions, when someone or something other than Christ is controlling your time and energy, when someone or something other than Christ is your focus drive it out. “When the irritants irritate, drive!” Or the irritants will become barbs and thorns that trouble you everyday. As the NLT puts it, “…they will harass you.”

But what does ‘driving’ look like? The primary action that will help you begin to drive is to put and keep God’s Word in your heart. Ps. 119:9-16 is clear and powerful: “How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed and keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to it]. With my whole heart have I sought You, inquiring for and of You and yearning for You; Oh, let me not wander or step aside [either in ignorance or willfully] from Your commandments. Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Amplified Bible) Eugene Peterson, in The Message, paints this picture for the same verses: “How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted. I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt. Be blessed, God; train me in your ways of wise living. I’ll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth; I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches. I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it. I relish everything you’ve told me of life, I won’t forget a word of it. Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road. Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders. I’m a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions. My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!— insatiable for your nourishing commands.”  “When the irritants irritate, drive!”

There is more to do to drive away the irritants, but this is where it begins. Remember Jesus used the Word of God to drive away Satan in the wilderness. “Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” (Mt. 4:11) It can be so for you. “When the irritants irritate, drive!”

PRINCIPLE: “When puzzled by the puzzle, switch places.”

I like doing puzzles. Granted, it can eat up large chunks of time; but I easily justify it by claiming it serves as a good diversion from the normal, daily routines and stresses, and it works to sharpen my mind (which some days needs a lot of sharpening!)

In doing puzzles I’ve learned that at least one thing is inevitable – there will comes points where I’m stuck and can’t find any pieces that fit anywhere. I’ve learned that, rather than stressing and quitting, it’s best to switch positions, to go to the other side of the table, to get a different perspective. “When puzzled by the puzzle, switch places.”  It’s amazing how many pieces I then find that fit. And it’s all because I put myself in a position to get a new perspective.

I’ve also learned that the same is true when it comes to viewing and understanding life. The Bible is filled with admonitions that say, in essence, “When puzzled by the puzzle, switch places.” Consider Joseph’s words to his brothers about understanding the circumstances of life: “Now do not be upset or blame yourselves because you sold me here. It was really God who sent me ahead of you to save people’s lives. This is only the second year of famine in the land; there will be five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor reaping. God sent me ahead of you to rescue you in this amazing way and to make sure that you and your descendants survive. So it was not really you who sent me here, but God…But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid; I can’t put myself in the place of God. You plotted evil against me, but God turned it into good, in order to preserve the lives of many people who are alive today because of what happened.” (Gen. 45:5-8 & 50:19-20 GNT) “When puzzled by the puzzle, switch places.” Reflect on Paul’s words about viewing other people: “So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!”(2 Cor. 5:16 NLT) “When puzzled by the puzzle, switch places.”Think about Jesus’ words to Martha about her dead brother Lazarus: “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40) “When puzzled by the puzzle, switch places.” Viewing life’s circumstances, other people, and the issues of life and death from Jesus’ perspective rather than our own provides new, significant sight.

Jesus explains it this way: “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24) Once we believe in God the Father through Jesus Christ His Son, we live in the environment of life rather than of death. We see circumstances, people, and all of life differently; we see it from God’s  perspective. And to be sure we understand how to cross over, Jesus told us “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” (John 7:17) We change sides, we cross over, we move into the environment of life by  obeying – by doing what Jesus says to do. Perhaps it’s time to quit trying to understand and figure out everything that happens to us in life, to stop evaluating and judging people from our own prejudices, to cease from focusing on death and darkness and to cross over to Jesus’ sight. We do it anytime, every time, we obey. Just do what He says, think likes He thinks, serve like He serves, love like he loves. It will be amazing how many pieces will fit. “When puzzled by the puzzle, switch places.”

Principle: “Before entering the tunnel, check your load.”

Driving through the tunnels sends my mind into thinking overtime! The tunnels speak not only of passage into the presence of our Savior, but also about preparation for it. Often, when approaching a major tunnel, there will be signs stating what items are prohibited  – items that are not safe to have in the tunnel. Most such items are potentially explosive. Usually these signs are posted miles in advance of the approaching tunnel so there is plenty of time to check your load. In fact, that’s what the signs are meant to do:  “Before entering the tunnel, check your load.”

Isn’t that a message for our journey through life as well? Once in the tunnel it’s too late to check the load, so “Before entering the tunnel, check your load.” There are simply some things – many things, in fact – that we cannot take with us. Hebrews states it clearly (12:1): “Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up…” (CEB). The NLT puts it this way: “…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.”  “Before entering the tunnel, check your load.” There is baggage that not only slows us down and trips us up as we head for the tunnel, but which is also dangerous as we enter the tunnel. There is a lot of baggage we can’t take with us – which is potentially explosive and will disqualify us.

Certainly there are sinful things we do or think that are not allowable in the presence of God. That’s obvious. But note that Hebrews doesn’t limit the baggage only to sin – it’s anything that weighs us down. That implies we lug around some good baggage – but good as it may be in and of itself, it slows us down.  When I was entering my final year of seminary education and training, I decided to give up doing radio play-by-play of a local high school’s football and basketball games. Oh, I loved doing it – and I was told was good at it (truth be told, if God hadn’t called me into ministry, I’d probably have spent my life doing sports broadcasting). It also provided a means for witnessing. But it was taking away time I could spend studying and preparing for a life of ministry – and from my young family. There was nothing wrong with broadcasting itself – but it slowed me down and was tripping me up. It was standing in the way of a deeper relationship with Jesus.

What is that baggage for you? Service in the church? Charitable volunteer work? Always being available to others to help them in their need? Pursuing your hobby or special interest with all your spare time? Spending time with family and friends? What are the activities, interests, or pursuits in your life that are good, but not essential – and perhaps distracting – to your relationship with Jesus?

Excess baggage is prohibited in the tunnel. And once we’re in the tunnel, it’s too late; the baggage must be shed before entering. Perhaps the issue  to consider is how do we want to enter the tunnel? Knowing that Jesus is coming to greet us and carry us through, to take us to be with Him, do we want to crawl, walk, or run to Him? I want to run! How about you? “Before entering the tunnel, check your load.”  The apostle Paul had this idea firmly implanted in his mind and heart: “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” (1 Cor. 9:24-27) Eugene Peterson captures the point well in The Message: “I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.” “Before entering the tunnel, check your load.”

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PRINCIPLE: “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”

Barb and I enjoy putting puzzles together. We relish the challenge and like the fact that, supposedly, doing puzzles is one way to keep minds fresh and alert (and we need all the help we can get with that!) But early on we learned there’s a problem – there’s more than one way to do a puzzle. And there’s the rub. The first thing Barb likes to do is turn over and lay out all the pieces; the first thing I like to do is find the edge pieces and get the frame together. Both ways work – but when we’re working together it’s difficult to use both approaches. Something – someone – has to give. If we want to complete the puzzle in the most efficient, least stressful way, we need to be on the same page regarding the process. The way to success is teamwork. That’s worth remembering. “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”

It reminds me of the apostle Paul. In his first letter to the Corinthian Church he dealt with divisions in the church, primarily with divisions caused by selfish attitudes. Paul talks about some specific issues causing divisions in the Corinthian church. There was, he said, more than one way to approach what kind of meat to eat,  more than one way to worship, more than one way to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, and more than one way to use spiritual gifts. But, he warned, do not let your way get in the way. (10: 23-24) “’Everything is permissible’ – but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible’ – but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”(10: 32-33) “Do not cause anyone to stumble…I am not seeking my own good but the good of many.” Give up the demand for your way – the way to success is teamwork. “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”

To illustrate the principle, Paul – in chapter 12 – points to how our bodies work. (12: 12, 26)) “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body….If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” All the parts can work independently, but then the whole body would be dysfunctional. But for the body to function in a healthy way the many parts must work together. So for Paul the way to healthy functioning is through great teamwork – and the way to great teamwork is seeking the good of others. “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”

I have a strong suspicion that what works in the body of Christ, works as well in athletic contests, office staffs, government agencies, marriages – and even in completing puzzles. Granted, leadership sometimes, in special unique circumstances, demands leadership that states “My way or the highway.” But in most of our everyday situations, there is another way, a healthier more productive way.“Do not cause anyone to stumble…I am not seeking my own good but the good of many.” “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”

Yet Paul brings the body illustration to a climax by nailing down why we should seek the good of the other (12:31): “And now I will show you the most excellent way.” And that way is love. (13:1-8) “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” In all things, “When the way is the problem, remember the way.”