Don’t Just Do Something! Sit There!

            We’ve all probably heard the expression, “Don’t Just Stand There! Do Something!” However, I recently read a financial column by Alex Scherer that advised the opposite: “Don’t Just Do Something! Sit There!” The advice was given in light of the huge losses and gains in ticker prices that often follow a company’s quarterly earnings report. The columnist urged readers never to buy or sell a stock on the day those numbers come out as the information released on that day alone actually has little bearing on a stock’s future performance. Further, the great fluctuations of that day can often cause one to make an investing mistake. I found the sentiment to be rather interesting as it applies to much more important spiritual matters.

            The Proverbs writer said, “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established” (Proverbs 4:26). There’s something to be said about carefully considering each step before you take it. I know from experience in hiking that a hasty step can often be the last step before a nasty fall. However, a firm, well-thought step – even on a narrow ledge or saddleback – is never as dangerous as it seems. The same is certainly true when it comes to the steps we take spiritually. Paul further advised, “See then that ye walk circumspectly [carefully looking around you - PWS], not as fools, but as wise” (Ephesians 5:16).  

Many people get sucked in by a great sale or a fantastic job offer without sitting down and doing something Jesus recommended – counting the cost (Luke 14:28). The devil wants us to make hasty decisions without keeping God in our plans, as it is a sure fire way to wind up alienated from God (James 4:13-17). Before we take any action, no matter how seemingly small, we have to consider how it is going to affect what is most important to us: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). 

Haste doesn’t just make waste through our deeds. A word spoken in anger or without thought can often be the ruin of relationship. James advised, “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19). Don’t let the word swift fool you – the swiftness James speaks of is still towards observation and therefore inaction. If we are going to be quick to do anything, James says, be quick to consider.

            There are times when we simply cannot afford to wait, such as when we desire to obey the gospel (e.g. Acts 8:36-38), when it comes to preaching the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16), or when we are faced with temptation (e.g. 1 Timothy 6:11). However, for the most part, major decisions and important actions turn out best when undertaken slowly, with time being given to consider fully the consequences. Sometimes therefore we need to heed the advice, “Don’t Just Do Something! Sit There!”

            

Beware of Dogs

      

       Once while on campaign in Lafayette, LA, a fellow MSOP classmate of mine returned and immediately was subjected to great amounts tormenting by the rest of the campaigners. Apparently, while out door knocking, this classmate ran from a dog and leapt on top of a parked car that was not his own to escape the “savage beast.” After we all had a good laugh about it, our instructor who was preaching a gospel meeting for the campaign instructed this classmate to read Philippians 3:2. The student read aloud, “Beware of dogs...” and without finishing the verse said, “Very funny!” Though anyone who has ever gone door knocking knows this literal application of Paul’s statement to the Philippians, of what dogs ought Christians truly to beware? Isaiah identified four very dangerous characteristics of the dogs of his day, the watchmen (spiritual admonishers – teachers and prophets) that failed in their duty (Isaiah 56:10, 11).

        “His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark” (56:10a). Isaiah lived in a day of rampant immorality, in which the people had departed from the way of the Lord to serve idols of their own creation: “Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made” (2:8). However, rather than warn the people against those practices that were leading to destruction, the religious leaders were silent. While they should have been watchdogs against evil, they were dumb (i.e. mute) dogs who were unable to bark, and as such were useless to the Lord.

        “Sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber” (56:10b). It is always easier to remain silent than to take a stand; to lie down and be trampled than to stand up and fight. These religious men had remained silent for so long that they grew accustomed to the false peace that being silent allowed. However, they cried peace when there was none – “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked” (48:22). 

        “Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough” (56:11a). Often, religious leaders who fail to proclaim the whole council of God and who proclaim a peaceful, social message are recipients of at least the accolades of men and sometimes material wealth. Such was the case with the religious leaders of Isaiah’s day – yet though the land of Judah was “full of silver and gold” it would not escape judgment. (2:7).

        “And they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter” (v. 11). A good sheep dog looks to the care of his sheep. These religious leaders however were so self centered they could not see either their true spiritual needs or the needs of the people to whom they spoke their lies and half-truths. Isaiah pictures them saying, “we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves” (28:15) – yet these would be their undoing.

        Though we would do well to beware and avoid dogs like these religious leaders, in one sense we should make a personal application to Isaiah’s message. We are all religious leaders in the sense that we are all subject to doing our part in the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20). We ought therefore to avoid dumb, lazy, greedy, and ignorant dogs in the religious world, and keep from being like them ourselves!

~Patrick Swayne

Corrupt Communication

       

        On May 31, 2011 The Age broke a story about the latest installment of Victorian Premier Ted Ballieu’s crackdown on crime. In a story entitled, “Big fines for those who cry foul,” Josh Gordon highlighted the plan “to slap potty-mouthed perpetrators with on-the-spot fines of up to $240 for using language deemed to be indecent, disorderly, offensive or threatening.” Anti-swearing legislation has apparently been on the books since 1966, but formerly was only enforceable through the court system. As of July 1, the on-the-spot fines (which have been trialed over the past 3 years) will become law. 
        The piece was written in a condescending tone, and as anyone who reads The Age might have guessed it did not take long for rebuttals to be printed. In a back page editorial on June 2, Michael Stuchbery aired his thoughts on the new law. According to Stuchbery, “swearing is [...] a social adhesive that unites and binds us more than any other [...] it opens people up, cements relationships.” While he does note that “we would do well to ensure that we carry on a civil discourse with one another,” he says that this is “boring” and “there are some situations in which a choice curse word is the only possible response.” He even goes so far as to sardonically say that curtailing cursing is “tantamount to a human rights violation.” He calls the law “a bone-headed gesture.” Subsequent Age editorials and opinion columns echo these sentiments; one I read (Keith Dunstan, June 6, 2011) claimed that swearing is too commonplace of an occurrence to ban and that the fines must solely be for the purpose of raising revenue. 
        How should Christians respond to these developments and the swearing culture in Australia today? It is true that swearing is extremely common today – our media, schools, and workplaces are inundated with blasphemous references to Deity and spiritual terms (damnation, heaven, hell, etc.) and vulgar references to sexual activity, female dogs, fatherless children, human anatomy, and excrement. It may also be true that the government’s motives are not exactly pure in enforcing purity. Regardless, Christians must appeal to the ultimate authority of God’s word to determine their response. 
        First, the fact that the government has outlawed vulgar language should be enough to cause us to keep it out of our lives both publicly and privately, as the law already on the book forbids swearing even “if no one is present to hear it” according to Gordon’s article. Christians are commanded to render their obedience to the governing powers of man in anything that does not go against God’s will (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Acts 5:29). 
        On this rare occasion though, the government is actually inadvertently enforcing God’s will! Both Jesus and James commanded us to keep flippant references to Deity (swearing) and euphemisms for divine things out of our vocabulary (Matthew 5:33-37; James 5:12). Paul broadened this to exclude all vulgarity from the Christian’s vocabulary: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth” (Ephesians 4:29). 
        Christians should welcome these laws and should already be working to bring purity to the world through their speech. I will be the first to admit that the battle for purity is not an easy battle, and this is certainly true of the battle over purity in speech. It is amazing how easily the world rubs off on us! However, I can say this of the battle to control our tongues – if we can win it, we will have traveled a long way along the road towards spiritual maturity. James said, “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect [complete] man, and able also to bridle the whole body” (3:2). What an encouraging prospect! I can also say this – when you take a stand on the issue of “corrupt communication,” both refusing to speak it and refusing to hear it, you have an amazing ability to show the world that you are different (1 Peter 2:9). 
        Christians, please resolve not to be “potty-mouthed perpetrators,” but instead to speak only those words that “minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29)! ...and remember, God is always listening (Ecclesiastes 12:14). 

~Patrick Swayne

Who Do You Work For?

             

        Emily Gloria Wilson once worked as a maid for a man named John Kenneth Galbraith. One day Mr. Galbraith came home and asked his maid to hold his calls while he took a nap. While Mr. Galbraith was napping, Lyndon B. Johnson called. For those who are not history buffs, Lyndon B. Johnson was at that time President of the United States. He told Emily, “Get me Ken Galbraith. This is Lyndon Johnson.” Without hesitating, Emily replied, “He is sleeping, Mr. President. He said not to disturb him.” President Johnson replied, “Well, wake him up. I want to talk to him.” The maid replied, “No, Mr. President. I work for him, not you.” When Galbraith finally woke up and called the President back, the President said, “Tell that woman I want her here at the White House.” 

        Workers with this kind of dedication are hard to find these days. A trip to virtually any fast food restaurant will have you wondering whether workers even view themselves as employees. It seems that most people simply believe they are just entitled to a pay check for showing up. There’s barely a drive to serve in many professions, let alone a drive to serve well. 

       Christians are to be different than the world, and this of course is true when it comes to work. Christians ought to follow the advice of Solomon, who said, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). As the old saying goes, if it is worth doing, it is worth doing well. More than this though, Christians are to live to a high standard because of the one for whom they work: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23). Christians work for the Lord first, and ought to act accordingly. 

       This has two obvious applications. First, we ought we ought to give the best that we possibly can in every worthwhile endeavour. Whether we are a student, an employee, a boss, or retired, we have an obligation to live as though the Lord is our employer. Second, like Ms. Wilson, we ought to keep our priorities straight. It does no good to say that we are serving the Lord in the workplace if our work pulls us from our service to Christ. When an employer asks us to fall short of God’s standard such as by asking us to regularly miss church services or to compromise our principles to make a sale, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). 

       Ms. Wilson was a worker who had conviction in her service to Mr. Galbraith. If only we could have that same kind of conviction in our service to God! Our service to the Lord will probably keep us out of the White House (or The Lodge, which I am told is the Australian Prime Minister’s Official Residence), but we can be sure of home in heaven if we remain faithful to the one for whom we work (John 14:1-3). 

~Patrick Swayne

Separation Anxiety

        We knew we were in for an adventure when five minutes into the bus ride our driver treated himself to a snack—one that came out of his own nostrils. According to my wife, watching someone pick their nose and eat its contents is one of those things too horrible to watch but impossible to avoid; she stared, mouth wide open, while I tried to zone out and prepare for the trip. We were on a bus, headed from Malacca, Malaysia to Singapore.
        We probably shouldn't have expected too much from our coach’s captain — at 22 Ringgit a ticket (about 7 US dollars) you’re simply not going to receive stellar service. Another five minutes later he was overtaking cars on the interstate, all the while seemingly having a great time talking on his mobile phone. He almost stranded us at Johor Bahru when we accidently got off thinking we had arrived at a customs point — we walked a good hundred meters before we realized we were at the wrong place. Thankfully, he hadn’t pulled away— though we were certain he would have had we been a second more. This was confirmed to us when he let us off at the customs checkpoint in Singapore and did in fact fail to wait for us to get through.
        Being on the right side of the Singapore/Malaysia border, I was a bit upset that he had done this to us but not really worried about finding our way to friendly faces. No one spot in Singapore is any great distance from any other, as it is an island and a city-state nation. Chantelle on the other hand had a bit of separation anxiety. It’s funny how attached you can grow to someone who only a few hours before you could not wait to leave behind.
        The feelings of anxiety my wife felt thought would have been nothing in comparison to that felt by the Ephesian elders when they realized they had seen Paul for the last time. The text says of their emotional state, "And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more" (Acts 20:37).
        Hone in on the word in bold: sorrowing. The same Greek word was used to describe the emotional state of Jesus’ parents as they frantically searched for Him. Luke records, "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing" (Luke 2:48). The word sorrowing is translated, "anxiously," in the NKJV.
        Without taking too many liberties with a language that’s "Greek to me," I find it interesting that in both of these passages the sorrow described is a sorrow brought upon by separation. I then find it interesting that the same word used to describe Jesus’ parents and the Ephesian elders is only used once more in scripture—to refer to the rich man when he awoke in hades. There the word is translated, "tormented" (Luke 16:24-25).
        We all suffer separation anxiety on this earth—be it from bus drivers, loved ones, or our homes. The greatest sorrow that separation can bring is to be tormented in an eternal fire away from God. May all of us live so as to avoid eternal separation anxiety.

The Four Seas Informer: July/August Edition

Swayne July August 2013