A Time For Everything
There is an interesting dynamic that takes place with some Christians; the sentiment is, 'let’s share our lives together, but let’s be careful not to share everything'.
Do we cheat others when we only share part of our lives rather than all of our lives? I can admit that pastors live in a tension of how much to share of their lives and what not to share.
I think this was a tension that the Apostle Paul dealt with often in the ministry he was called to carry out.
Paul spoke to the church in Corinth with s sense of urgency of the moment. As I look at Paul’s statements to this church, Paul feels a need to recall what was previously shared in Isaiah 43:6 with God speaking through the prophet saying that there is no time like the present to hear what I am telling you and live your life as knowledge of salvation is needed now and not to be put off some time later. Paul makes his case for urgency in this way:
2 For [God] says,“In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.
II Corinthians 6:2-13 (ESV)
Too often, we find ourselves in times of distress, which leaves us with a sense of isolation and loneliness. In that isolation, even the presence of God can be missed. God shared with His prophet Isaiah with Paul repeating to the Corinthians church, now is the favorable time. Not when we most expect it or in some future time when life is grand or when we feel life is moving in a ‘right’ direction, but now is the favorable time for us to consider that our salvation has come.
Too often I talk with new friends and they share with me that one-day they may be right with God and hope that when they die salvation will be theirs. My first reaction is share that living in the darkness they are feeling right now for the rest of their lives until die and receive God’s salvation is a bleak life to live. Certainly the conversation doesn’t remain there, because of God’s promise that salvation is ours here and now. Now is the favorable time to realize life with Christ. Now is the time to celebrate salvation. Jesus calls that His gift of abundant life (John 10:10).
I share my life with my church. Some feel that perhaps I am too vulnerable. That may be true and I listen to the needs of those I shepherd. Paul felt it was important to be open and honest in sharing what God was doing in his life and speaking freely with his heart “wide open”. I feel the same way, but understand that others process differently that I do.
I shared difficult news with my kids a couple of nights ago. We have decided as a family that whenever there is bad news, we will share it with each other immediately and process the hurt and bad together rather than draw it out and linger in the negative. I know how difficult it is for my kids to process bad news from their Pastor Dad.
I have a tendency to surrender my hurt quickly as I try not to linger in difficulties long. It’s how I process. It isn’t necessarily how others process and for my kids who may process differently than I do, being their pastor and Dad at the same time can be difficult.
I encourage my kids as I encourage you in the same way that God encouraged Isaiah to share with His chosen and Paul shared with the Corinthians, there is no time like the present to receive and enjoy God’s salvation and life with Him abundantly.
Processing hard news takes time. Don’t let that get in the way of bringing God to the conversation, because I believe as Paul did that now is the favorable time.