Late Night and Late Morning

I was up late night last night writing a college recommendation letter, but God still provided time to be with Him. Gen 7:1 says, ""Then the Lord says to Noah, "Come into the ark...because I have seen your righteousness..." The question God asked me this morning is if my righteousness is evidence of my faith. I will expand on this later today.

It's Wednesday and I am finally getting a moment to catch up with my blogging. It has been a busy week. So back to Monday we go!

In my devotions, I saw in Noah that when he was living righteously before the Lord before the flood, his whole family was impacted; they were all allowed to enter the ark with him. However, when we look ahead to Genesis 9, we see that after the flood he planted a vineyard and then made wine. With the wine, he became intoxicated. His intoxications led him to expose himself in violation of God's will and that disobedience impacted his family as well. Our lives have the same effect on those around us. When we are obedient to God and His Word we have a positive influence on the world around us. When we are disobedient, we have a negative influence. What influence are you having today? Listen to the following event in my day to see this truth illustrated, and decide what you would do.

I am a bus drive for our local school district. On any given day we seem to have students and parents unable to get to the bus stop on time each day for one or two of our routes. For the individual student it may not seem to be a big deal, but it does impact the routes of the other buses that have to coordinate with one another. Tuesday, as I was approaching my final stop, a parent with a child who does not ride on my bus drove up and stop on the side of my bus (this is a violation of bus stop rules to park next to the bus). When the parent got out, rather than allowing the student on the bus I told the parent to take the student to the next stop for their student's bus. I am quite certain the parent was upset. I probably would be too looking at it from the frustration of having to drive farther. They were over five minutes late for their bus and just expected to hold up another bus.

Remember, I am a pastor. This child also attends our church at times. My compassionate heart wanted to allow the student on the bus. However, I knew that if I allowed her on the bus this would just be a last resort for when they were late getting to their appropriate bus stop. People are always looking for a way to make excuses, blame others, or shift responsibility for themselves to others. This reminds me of two Scriptures.

Galatians 6:1-5(HCSB)
Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted also. Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself. But each person should examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else. For each person will have to carry his own load.

In this passage we are told to hold one another accountable, to help one another with burdens, and to take responsibility for our own load. This is simply saying that we are not to tolerate when people are simply irresponsible, but we are to be compassionate with those who are facing problems outside their control and beyond their abilities to handle.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-11(HCSB)
In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.” For we hear that there are some among you who walk irresponsibly, not working at all, but interfering with the work [of others].

The principle here is that we should be responsible for ourselves. When we fail to take responsibility for ourselves we have a negative impact on others.

Both of these passages informed me as I dealt with the parent Monday. It was hard, but if they don't learn to take responsibility for getting themselves to the stop on time, they will continue to negatively affect the rest of the buses and students on those buses.

On Monday, after I arrived at school, I was able to go to Oklahoma City to visit two men in our church who are in the hospital with heart attacks. One was very positive, and was planning for the future. While I was there, His daughter arrived, and she too was encouraging in her attitude. They both were a blessing to be with.

While on the second visit I was able to speak with a gentleman who had gone through a great deal of loss in the last year. There were circumstances that just didn't seem just. I was simply able to encourage him is his positive outlook in the face of injustice in the world. I was also blessed to speak with a woman who has gone through tremendous struggles in her family life. She is handling it well, and I hope I was an encouragement. The family is struggling with what the future holds. I am convinced they are wise to plan for whatever happens in the future. I encouraged them to plan for whatever may happen, but to hope and pray for the best.

Every first Monday of the month our church goes to the Heritage Village Nursing home. Since last week was Labor Day we rescheduled for this week. What a blessing it was to share in both song and scripture. I was able to share the Lesson the Lord had laid on my heart from the story of Noah. I pray that we all will remember the responsibility we have to be the Godly influence on the world God has called us to be.

After the Nursing Home services we went to the new Eagles Nest Diner in Eakly. If you haven't been yet, you need to go. The food is great and the people are even better. While I was there, I did receive some difficult news. I received a call from my mother that my sister-in-law, Kathy, had been thrown from a horse and broke her back. They did surgery Tuesday, putting in several screws and rods in her back. I am sure they would appreciate any prayers you would lift on her behalf.

I spoke to my mother and she filled me in with what was going on. I then prayed with her for Kathy and for her and my father to have safe travel to the hospital in Los Angeles. I did get good news about my aunt who was given a clean bill of health for cancer (they removed some from her ankle). Additionally, my father does not have a hernia (earlier diagnosis) and does not require surgery. God is truly a blessing!

Next, I called my brother and spent some time with him in prayer. I was somewhat brief as I knew he was trying to get out of town to be with Kathy. It is often a difficult balance between being there for someone in a crisis, and staying out of the way. I always pray that God gives me the wisdom to know what is appropriate in each situation.

It was a long day and a late night, but God has been faithful and a true blessing. It is always good to serve the Lord!