James 1:19,
SWIFT TO HEAR—SLOW TO SPEAK
Some situations in life require quick action or lost opportunity. Other things require patience in order to see good results. We can all look back on things we missed because we hesitated, and we can reflect on things that we ruined because we rushed them.
Here are two realities that coexist in our lives; that hesitation can bring defeat when otherwise assured, and that patience and steadfastness are the requirements in victory in other endeavors.
FIRST CONSIDER MICROWAVING.
At our house we use our microwave oven a lot. For years, I’ve gotten up every morning and put a cup of water in the microwave and patted my foot, waiting for the water to boil. Though this process takes only a few minutes, sometimes it seems like eternity to me. Obviously we use the microwave when we want quick results.
Life sometimes hands us microwave situations.
In Joshua 7:1-15 there’s the story of Joshua leading Israel and experiencing defeat at Ai. Joshua was on his face crying to God for help when God spoke, telling him to get up and go deal with the sin [the accursed thing] in their camp. There were actions and attitudes that were clearly hindering the forward progress of God’s people, and a rapid response was called for.
When sin is involved, we can never let it marinate, for if coddled, its roots will only grow deeper.
In 1 Corinthians 5, action against sin was urgently called for. Paul wrote the Corinthian church, telling them of the fornicators who were residing among them; telling them to move immediately and purge out that leaven.
Often doctors are faced with such dilemmas concerning people’s health status. Many times a person is brought into a hospital and wheeled to immediate surgery, if their situation is deemed critical; and other times they engage in “watchful waiting.”
Where sin’s involved, God never advocates “watchful waiting.”
In 2 John 9-10 John spoke of people coming into the church with discrepancies in their doctrine about who Christ was and John told them to “not receive them, or wish them Gods speed.” Microwave action was called for when it came to the confusion about the person of Christ.
When the will of God is already clearly revealed, action is the only policy. In Acts 22:16, after Paul was converted, Ananias spoke to him and said, why do you tarry? Arise and be baptized. Paul’s clear duty was before him; he should be swift and do it.
In Acts chapter six, there arose a need within the congregation, accompanied by murmuring, involving the care of the widows. The disciples didn’t “marinate” the idea; they took immediate action to meet the need, organizing and electing the first deacons. After that wise action, the church had a great new burst of growth. That was a very “microwaveable situation.”
OPPORTUNITY ON WHEELS
In Acts 8, Phillip was preaching a great revival in Samaria when God spoke to him to go down to the desert of Gaza. To the natural mind, it would make little sense for a preacher to leave a great revival and go to the desert. Nevertheless, Phillip obeyed and met an Ethiopian Eunuch, the treasurer of that Nation, who was returning from worshipping in Jerusalem. It was opportunity on wheels, and Phillip had to run to catch his chariot. The act of obedience resulted in Philip leading him to Christ, and baptizing him. It is said that the eunuch carried the Gospel back to his country and many turned to Christ because of Philips prompt obedience to God.
NOW CONSIDER MARINATING.
Once in a while when my wife cooks, she will prepare meat in a special way that requires soaking or “steeping” it for a long time in certain juices. This process is called “marinating.” When done properly, it has a delicious effect on the flavor and texture of meat. This process can’t be rushed, or its benefits will be lost.
Likewise, life will often present us with situations that require slowness, and if rushed, disaster will result.
In Ephesians 4:11-16, Paul lays out the body concept of the church. He expounds on the ministries of the spirit and the part they play in the perfecting of the body. Even the most casual reading of what he writes here will tell you that developing a mature congregation of people is a long term process to be lovingly nurtured.
In 1Timothy 5:22 the church is told to lay hands on no man suddenly, or endorse a person who hasn’t been properly tested in the faith. A minister requires plenty of “seasoning.”
In Romans 8:29, Paul tells us we are being conformed to the image of Christ. That’s not a microwave experience, but requires daily attention to our walk of Godliness.
In 11 Corinthians 3:18 Paul says, But we all, with open faces beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are being changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord.
IN OTHER WORDS, GODS STILL WORKING ON US.
Again, not a “microwave experience.”
In 2 Timothy 2:23-26 Paul tells Timothy,
Some situations in life require quick action or lost opportunity. Other things require patience in order to see good results. We can all look back on things we missed because we hesitated, and we can reflect on things that we ruined because we rushed them.
Here are two realities that coexist in our lives; that hesitation can bring defeat when otherwise assured, and that patience and steadfastness are the requirements in victory in other endeavors.
FIRST CONSIDER MICROWAVING.
At our house we use our microwave oven a lot. For years, I’ve gotten up every morning and put a cup of water in the microwave and patted my foot, waiting for the water to boil. Though this process takes only a few minutes, sometimes it seems like eternity to me. Obviously we use the microwave when we want quick results.
Life sometimes hands us microwave situations.
In Joshua 7:1-15 there’s the story of Joshua leading Israel and experiencing defeat at Ai. Joshua was on his face crying to God for help when God spoke, telling him to get up and go deal with the sin [the accursed thing] in their camp. There were actions and attitudes that were clearly hindering the forward progress of God’s people, and a rapid response was called for.
When sin is involved, we can never let it marinate, for if coddled, its roots will only grow deeper.
In 1 Corinthians 5, action against sin was urgently called for. Paul wrote the Corinthian church, telling them of the fornicators who were residing among them; telling them to move immediately and purge out that leaven.
Often doctors are faced with such dilemmas concerning people’s health status. Many times a person is brought into a hospital and wheeled to immediate surgery, if their situation is deemed critical; and other times they engage in “watchful waiting.”
Where sin’s involved, God never advocates “watchful waiting.”
In 2 John 9-10 John spoke of people coming into the church with discrepancies in their doctrine about who Christ was and John told them to “not receive them, or wish them Gods speed.” Microwave action was called for when it came to the confusion about the person of Christ.
When the will of God is already clearly revealed, action is the only policy. In Acts 22:16, after Paul was converted, Ananias spoke to him and said, why do you tarry? Arise and be baptized. Paul’s clear duty was before him; he should be swift and do it.
In Acts chapter six, there arose a need within the congregation, accompanied by murmuring, involving the care of the widows. The disciples didn’t “marinate” the idea; they took immediate action to meet the need, organizing and electing the first deacons. After that wise action, the church had a great new burst of growth. That was a very “microwaveable situation.”
OPPORTUNITY ON WHEELS
In Acts 8, Phillip was preaching a great revival in Samaria when God spoke to him to go down to the desert of Gaza. To the natural mind, it would make little sense for a preacher to leave a great revival and go to the desert. Nevertheless, Phillip obeyed and met an Ethiopian Eunuch, the treasurer of that Nation, who was returning from worshipping in Jerusalem. It was opportunity on wheels, and Phillip had to run to catch his chariot. The act of obedience resulted in Philip leading him to Christ, and baptizing him. It is said that the eunuch carried the Gospel back to his country and many turned to Christ because of Philips prompt obedience to God.
NOW CONSIDER MARINATING.
Once in a while when my wife cooks, she will prepare meat in a special way that requires soaking or “steeping” it for a long time in certain juices. This process is called “marinating.” When done properly, it has a delicious effect on the flavor and texture of meat. This process can’t be rushed, or its benefits will be lost.
Likewise, life will often present us with situations that require slowness, and if rushed, disaster will result.
In Ephesians 4:11-16, Paul lays out the body concept of the church. He expounds on the ministries of the spirit and the part they play in the perfecting of the body. Even the most casual reading of what he writes here will tell you that developing a mature congregation of people is a long term process to be lovingly nurtured.
In 1Timothy 5:22 the church is told to lay hands on no man suddenly, or endorse a person who hasn’t been properly tested in the faith. A minister requires plenty of “seasoning.”
In Romans 8:29, Paul tells us we are being conformed to the image of Christ. That’s not a microwave experience, but requires daily attention to our walk of Godliness.
In 11 Corinthians 3:18 Paul says, But we all, with open faces beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are being changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord.
IN OTHER WORDS, GODS STILL WORKING ON US.
Again, not a “microwave experience.”
In 2 Timothy 2:23-26 Paul tells Timothy,
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strife; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive at his will.
Every minister has his special “war stories” of “hard cases” he has patiently worked and prayed with who finally turned out, after some marinating, to be a shining example of Christian maturity.
So our lives are filled with either “seizing or stewing,” “micro waving or marinating.”
So our lives are filled with either “seizing or stewing,” “micro waving or marinating.”
PERHAPS THE MOST CRUCIAL TEST’S OF OUR LIVES WILL BE HOW WE HANDLE THE MICROWAVE/MARINATE ISSUES.
A prayer we all should pray often is;
LORD GRANT ME THE POWER TO CHANGE THE THINGS I SHOULD CHANGE, THE PATIENCE TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CAN’T CHANGE, [OR SHOULD WAIT ON] AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.”
Knowing when to microwave and when to marinate is a very useful skill.
Blessings,
John
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