PUZZLES

I am one of those people who like puzzles, especially Sudokus and crossword puzzles.  There is something about solving a puzzle, especially a tough one, that gives a deep inner sense of satisfaction, a kind of Mt. Everest experience.   As I got into my grade school years, my Mom and Dad would buy me one new puzzle each Christmas that they thought would tax my brain and my perseverance.  There were Christmases where I hunkered down with my puzzle and hardly ate or made a peep for hours, even staying up until 3 or 4 in the morning to solve that critter.  My wife, Mary Ann picked up on that.  During our married years she would get me a puzzle from time to time.  The one that drove me to the brink of brain exhaustion was the Rubik’s cube.  She would see me working that cube, trying all kinds of moves to align the colors.   She would even whisper to me after hearing yet another sign of frustration, “I have the solution.”  

Life in some ways is like a puzzle.  We do our best to put the pieces together, seeking to put the right things in the right place and enjoy the satisfaction of the result.  Our response in life, much like mine to Mary Ann is, “I can do this.  I don’t need help.”   So we grit our teeth, stiffen our resolve and press on.  But life is more than a Rubik’s cube.  It is full of major decisions, life changing occurrences, bends in the road.  It can get complex and confusing.  We try and try and try.  Frankly we need help.  When we are ready to surrender Jesus is there to whisper in your ear, “I have the solution”.  Take Him up on it.  

GROWING UP TOO FAST?

“They’re growing up too fast!”  Every parent or grandparent has expressed those words.  I got off the phone the other day after talking with my daughter.  Since I’ve last seen my grandboys, Luke and Sam, they are starting to walk and to climb on everything they can get a good grip and foothold on.  They are moving into full fledged boyhood.   I remember when our children were small, Mary would often say, “I wish I could keep them this age forever.”    But if you could do that, you realize you would be keeping them from the fullest life for which they were created.   As we live we want to develop to the next steps.  We want to learn to drive a car, pursue a career, marry, see the world, take big risks, experience adventure, and keep pushing further into the opportunities of life.

It is obvious from the Word that our heavenly Father never says of us who are Christians, “I wish I could keep them small forever.”  He wants us to reach our full maturity and pursue life in His kingdom with the same “want to” that we do in our physical world.  Unfortunately there are many Christians who cease developing, almost as if they are saying, “I want to remain at this age forever,” and rather than continue the hard work of developing to maturity, seem content to remain dependent tykes or adolescents.

None of us want to thwart our full potential.  If we are not there yet spiritually, lets kick into gear again. 

BUILDING MATERIALS

Milestones are always fun to celebrate.  This past Sunday Centerville Community Church embraced 35 years of existence with a great anniversary service and picnic.  During the service a number of people spoke emphasizing how the church has ministered to them.  For 3½ decades people have been this church.  We understand from the Bible that the church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ, but for 2000 years now the followers of Christ have been building on that foundation.  Foundation speaks of buildings and I Corinthians 3 speaks about the construction materials that can make up each generational level.  There is gold, silver and precious gems, or there is wood, hay and stubble.  The previous generation of CCC people have done an amazing job of building the church strong.   They have shown us by their sacrifice, love, commitment and effectiveness the gold, silver and precious gems of their generational level.  Let’s keep honoring our Lord and those who have gone before in continuing the construction with the materials worthy of Christ so that the future generation will have our example on which to build.