To Aspire To Live Quietly

1 Thessalonians 4:11 (ESV)...aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs"

It has been very interesting to participate in and observe the reactions of people to social distancing and isolation due to the Covid-19 virus.  It is a quieter world in some ways.  If you remove the panic and anxiety of some, you sense a peace and stillness that isn't our modern norm.  A lot of things are being uncovered.  Addictions are surfacing for what they are.  Addictions for the Christian are idols of the soul.  They are things that share the throne of our spirit man with Jesus.  King Jesus wants to reign in our lives from our hearts without competition.  Certainly, as a spirit, mind and body creation, we are interested and involved in many different activities that are good and healthy.  But none of those things can become idols to us. They can't become things we just can't live without.  Feelings of withdrawal are cracks revealed in our devotion to the Lord. I've noticed that liquor stores are offering to deliver you alcoholic beverages right to your door!  How convenient.  That would only be critically important to the one with an addiction.  But what about other idols of the soul?  What about the noise of activities, the distraction of entertainment, the illusion of service to God by many good works.  Our verse above, the words of the Apostle Paul, tells us to "aspire or set as a goal a quiet life." At least make as an aim a quieter life.  The life of a follower of Jesus, a disciple, is to first hear and then obey the voice of the Holy Spirit.  Hearing and obeying...that's it!  A great man of God that had accomplished much was once asked what was the secret of his success.  He said, "I pray and I obey." Aspire to live  quietly Paul says.  It is in that quiet life that a controlled life is found.  It is within this sanctuary of worship in our spirit that we can actually hear the voice of God.  It is difficult to hear His Voice as a prisoner of entertainment.  It is difficult to hear his voice in the clamor of social interaction.  It is even very difficult to hear his voice in the crowded life of Christian ministry. I know.  I've lived there.  I've had to fight the ongoing war of clearing my life to hear God's direction and instruction.  We often become desperate because we have stopped hearing and get into trouble.  We stop everything, cry out to God and we hear!  He's always speaking.  We only heard because we removed ourself from the whirlwind and entered the spiritual sanctuary of His presence.  

Today, cast aside the anxiety, the uncertainty of the current crisis.  But please, may we all learn from this time of shutdown about "aspiring to live quietly." May we all evaluate our addictions, remove their power over us, and reestablish King Jesus on the throne of our hearts once again.

Isaiah 26:20 "Come, my people, enter your chambers,

and shut your doors behind you;

hide yourselves for a little while

until the fury has passed by."

Panic, Faith and Actions

As I write this I can hear the Harley Davidson motorcycles rumbling down the road where I live.  I live in St. Augustine Beach, Florida, a favorite spot for bikers during Bike Week in Daytona.  St. Augustine is also the headquarters for the Professional Golfers Association.  Their very special event, The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra has been cancelled after only one round of play.  I'm sure the leaders of that enterprise are getting a lot of criticism for their decision.  Sporting events as well as other larger gatherings all around the world are being cancelled or postponed because of the Corona Virus.  Last night we learned that a Biker from New York on his way to Daytona became ill here and has tested positively for the virus.  Now it is in our little town with scores being affected that  have been in contact with him.  People are wrestling with decisions around the world.  People are asking, "should we cancel our event or should we close our business, should we have church services?  What do I do with my 401K or retirement funds that are in the stock market?"  I'm being asked some of those questions.  One stock broker said this week that the average Wall Street investments had fallen around 35% at one point.  We had the largest single day decline in history.  What guidelines should we follow as Christians in making decisions about  these and other things.  Here are a few thoughts on all of this.

MAKING DECISIONS AS A CHRISTIAN

1.  Don't Panic- Many years ago I taught a message on "Panic Kills Divers!"  It was based on actual event that happened to me while scuba diving.  The summary of that message was that panic can paralyze you with fear and can cause you to make bad decisions and ultimately get you killed.

I had a heart attack once and while getting tested in a Doctor's office, the Doctor said, "he's having an event right now!  Get him to CICU immediately for a heart Cath.!"  I said, "no, I won't go."  He took me out front and in front of his staff and a cardiologist he said, " I told this man to go to the hospital and he refuses.  Make note that he might not make it home alive!" I told them thank you but I would go home and I would come back to the hospital.  They weren't happy but they were telling me the best information they could give. Why would I do such a foolish thing? (I don't advise anyone to do this!) My reason was that I was in a state of fear and panic.  The Bible teaches us that "anything that is not of faith is sin."  I would not submit to any procedure in fear.  I had to get into a place of faith before I submitted to tests and procedures.  I went home, had a bite to eat, walked around in the yard praying and meditating on the Lord and then had Teresa drive me to the hospital.  When I walked in the Intensive Coronary Care Unit they said, "well, we haven't seen anyone WALK in here before!"  I had to get into a faith posture while in a time of panic and fear.  I had to do the same thing a few years later before I would agree to Open Heart Surgery.  I did it from a position of faith and trust in the Lord.  Get into a place of peace and out of panic before making decisions.  ALL DECISIONS!

2.  Make Decisions In Faith- This is critically important.  Don't make rash, knee jerk decisions.  Don't allow people, problems or panic to force you to make decisions.  Wait upon the Lord in prayer expecting to hear a word, find a Scripture or sense that deep abiding peace before acting.  The Bible, God's inner voice and internal peace are three major ingredients to making decisions for those filled with the Holy Spirit.  WAIT UPON THE LORD!

3.  Walk It Out In Faith- Once we have our direction we now move in faith and we don't look back. That Word, that Spirit led decision, was a marker in the ground in our lives.  When circumstances look bad, we look back by faith at the marker we placed in the ground of faith.  We won't second guess our decision or God.  Even in small matters of purchasing an item I ask the Lord for his guidance. I do my best to follow my peace and decision.  Once the decision is made I won't look back and I won't check prices any longer!  Do the same in making and following our Holy Spirit led decisions.  There are always questions after we hear from God.  That is the trial of faith but real faith is faithful!

4.  Individual and Group Decisions - People have to make their own decisions and leaders of groups must make their own decisions.  As leaders, we must allow people the freedom to follow their own heart in decisions.  As members of groups we must trust our leaders and give them the freedom to make decisions for group matters. For example, if leaders feel a group meeting is supposed to be held in questionable times, then, leaders must allow members to follow their own heart without criticism or judgment.  Likewise, members must allow leaders to make group decisions without criticism or judgment.  We are all human and "we hold these treasures in earthen vessels."

We are living in unprecedented hours right now.  It is not a time for new principles or ideas about making choices and decisions.  We must step back, take a deep breath and get into the Presence of Jesus for his answers and reassurance.