Today is back to normal for those who had an extended Christmas Holiday
vacation. After all the excitement, family time, arguments, and happy memories
made it is time to resume what is normal the other 50 weeks of the year. Yet
for two weeks, really taken down to a 24 hour period, which is really then
reduced to Christmas morning, we are already waiting for that day again. I saw
an ad the day after Christmas warning those greedy shoppers only 364 days until
Christmas-don't delay! The trash man has not even taken the vestiges of this
year, and already they are spending or planning next year's event. Never fully
gaining the enjoyment God has provided in the one they just had, or could still
be enjoying. Yet in our impatience with the arrival of Christmas, we fail to
rest in that time and enjoy it, missing many blessings that God has provided for
us via His Son.
The ads are already out for baseball on TV, another snoresville for me.
Right up there with golf, tennis, and other sporting/boring events. And after
listening to an NFL referee and his viewpoint on the game, I can now add NFL
football to the list. His take on the actual game was very simple, "five
seconds of excitement, followed by 30 seconds of rest." And if you stop and
think about it, he is more accurate than our NFL driven minds will let us
admit. Football is exciting, isn't it? Why it only takes 3 1/2 hours on TV for
60 minutes of playing time. And the last two minutes can take a half hour. And
why are the highlights over in 30 seconds? 15 seconds for you Charger fan
types. Could it be this man has hit it-5 seconds is all you get? And we call
it entertainment!
Using their math, an average of 60 plays on offense a game x 5 seconds=300
seconds, or 5 minutes. Double that for both teams, and for 50 minutes of
playing time, no one is playing. So what are we really watching? Men gathered
in a huddle, or on the sidelines? Or are we really waiting for that 5 seconds?
And is it really worth all the waiting? Consider the times they test the
running backs on-for 40 yard dashes. If they can go 40 yards in less than 5
seconds, why do they average less than 4 yards in 5 seconds? Shouldn't they
test them in a real game situation of 4 yard bursts, how long did it take them?
Yet in that 5 second burst more energy is used, and it takes more than 30
seconds to regain it. And these guys are in shape. Maybe that is why it takes
so many weeks to get ready for Christmas, than more weeks to get over it, or for
some to recover from it. What kind of shape are we in? Do we really want to
live our lives like that, so why do we?
Many underestimate Jesus and what it took Him daily to do to do what He
did. For thirty years He was in training, and like the priests, at age 30 began
His ministry. But really was ministering all the time, and even during the
three years was in training still. "Jesus," you asked, "training? He was God
wasn't He?" Yet we find Him constantly spending time in prayer, asking His
Father "what do you want me to do?" In scriptural terms, "thy will, not mine."
Giving us the ultimate how to pray lesson, but do we listen? Are we willing to
spend hours in prayer, time well spent with God, listening like Jesus did so we
know what to do today? Are we willing to spend that time for the 5 seconds God
may need of us that day? Are we using the resting time well, resting in God, or
are we consumed with ourselves? Jesus only did what His Father asked Him to do,
where are we in that conversation? In our prayers?
Christmas has come and gone, and will be here again in about 358 days. How
will you be preparing for the celebration of the birth of Jesus? Will it be
resting in Him, waiting on Him, or planning your own day? Only God knows what
is going to happen today, how can you plan for something you don't know may
happen? Perhaps asking Him, then listening, then obeying what He asks may be
the best thing to do. His will, not ours. His day-not ours. Take that time
between plays to spend with Him in the huddle. Only one person speaks in the
huddle, the man in charge, the QB who calls the play. Who is speaking in your
huddle? Who is in charge? Who knows and wants to prepare you for it? Are you
even in the huddle?
The best play only works if executed in obedience. Every man must do what
he is expected or trained to do on that play. Will you be ready for the 5
seconds God may have for you today? What if it is hours you are needed, will
you be rested? Will you be prepared? Will you be ready? It all depends upon
who is calling the play in the huddle.
There are 8760 hours in a year, and it comes down to a few on Christmas
morning. All the waiting, planning, shopping, cooking, and excitement come down
to that few hours. Just like Jesus' life came down to the final few hours on
the cross-for us. And it was well worth it. Spend your time waiting on Jesus.
Listen for the play He calls-the time spent with Him will make all the
difference in how you spend the rest of your day. He spent 30 years for 3 years
of ministry, for six hours on the cross, a team spends 30 seconds in a huddle
for a 5 second play. How much time are you spending with the Lord today?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com