May 3, 2024, 5:00 PM
Greetings in Christ!
Over the past few weeks, I've been having some problems with my allergies (or so I thought).
Last Saturday, I finally broke down and went to a walk-in clinic. The results showed that I had the flu and bronchitis.
I am feeling much better this week (praise the Lord), but I was not able to preach at FCC last Sunday (04.28.24).
One of my dear friends, Chuck Perry, was able to step in.
Chuck is not only a friend, but he's one of my mentors.
Chuck is currently battling some pretty aggressive cancer. I am thankful that the timing worked out for Chuck to come and preach.
It meant a lot to him, and he did a great job. THANKS again, Chuck!
I read an interesting devotional thought from Pastor and writer Rick Warren this week. He talked about a philosophy they had at the church he helped found, Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.
Warren says, "At Saddleback Church, we practice the 'good enough' principle: It doesn't have to be perfect for God to use and bless it. We would rather involve thousands of regular folks in ministry than have a perfect church run by a few elites."
The "good enough" principle struck me as a little odd at first.
I've always been taught to give God our very best and to bring excellence into everything you do for the Lord.
The attitude that says, "Oh, it’s just the church. It’s good enough for the church" is not right.
As Elton Trueblood once said, "holy shoddy is still shoddy."
What I see Warren saying, though, is that we do not have to be incredibly talented or wait for the perfect time to serve God. Giving our best right now to the Lord is enough. As Warren points out, "One reason many people never serve is that they fear they are not good enough to serve."
Friends, in reality, we'll never be "good enough" to serve God. We can never measure up or be qualified enough for such a role.
Then there's a second part: Do you ever struggle getting things done because of putting them off for a "better time?" I am so guilty of that. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and will often be convinced there is a better season to do the particular project.
The truth is that I will never find that perfect time or season.
Ecclesiastes 11:4 says, "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap."
A modern translation would echo the words of Wayne B. Smith who often said, "If you're waiting for all the lights to be green, you'll never go downtown!"
The Bottom Line is this: Some important things like praising and serving the Lord just cannot wait.
One day, the Lord WILL come back. It will be like harvest time with a great gathering of many souls.
Also, we'll get to see what we have been planting in our lives and what we've been investing in finally come to fruition.
How will that look?
Proverbs 20:4 says, "Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing."
Wow, what a sad thought and prospect for one to realize, in the end, that all of their time and energy was wasted on worthless things!
I've found that God is always looking for our AVAILABILITY over our ABILITY any day.
Let's all try and do what really needs to be done while it's still called today!
I hope and pray to see you this Sunday at FCC - Bible School starts at 9:30 am and Worship at 10:30 am.
God Bless,
Greg H.
