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Can you imagine....
....A world that runs smoothly without chaos,
war and trouble?
Take a cue from any child whose imagination
can create an ideal world. Come, let
us look for it.....
What an extra-ordinary world we live in! I
am amazed when I think about all the talent
and gifts, knowledge and expertise that our
world is made of. There are things common
to some people that I can’t even fathom, and
I will never be able to understand some
things that others just take for granted.
This makes me realize that it is all part of
the “Great Design” that God did. No one—no
matter how intelligent—could come up with a
system that runs our world, but God. The
complexity of it is mind-boggling. I won’t
even go into creation of the world, which in
and of itself screams “Made by God.”
“…The Heavens declare the glory of God; and
the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Psalm
19:1). I just want to address the
abilities of the creature on the earth
called man (and woman).
Our talents are God-given as He saw fit to
endow us with abilities and placed the
desire in our hearts to pursue excellence in
those areas that He planned for us. They
are implanted in us and motivated by the Holy Ghost with a
“push” to steer us in the right direction.
Look at how God gave abilities to His people
to build the tabernacle that Moses had been
given the pattern for. “According to all
that I show thee, after the pattern of the
tabernacle, and the pattern of all the
instruments thereof, even so shall ye make”
(Exodus 25:9). “And every wise hearted man
among them that wrought the work of the
tabernacle” (Exodus 36:8). Not only did
God give Moses the pattern, He gave the
people wisdom and creative abilities to
complete the work.
The same impetus that pushes us to excel for
the Kingdom of God is to be used in our
daily lives to excel in our occupations,
positions and pleasures. The body
consists of all its different parts for a
reason—To be complete and complementing to
all the other parts. All components
are necessary for the body to be fully
functional. God made the world like
that; He put it in the hearts of mankind He created to seek
knowledge and wisdom in their creative
fields to use that knowledge wisely to equip
and prepare them for the various jobs the
world needed to function properly.
Look at all the accomplishments of the
talent around us; observe the expertise with
which those who have exercised their
abilities, sought knowledge and experience
to excel. We have put humans on the moon,
learned how to fight vicious diseases,
created the ability to be in touch with
others around the world instantly through
the internet; and the list goes on and on.
Is it all accidental or happenstance, merely
a product of man’s curiosity and immense
imagination? Not at all! God had it all
planned before He created the world, before
He breathed life into Adam. When viewing
His creation, He ”saw that it was good”
(Genesis 1).
What happened? Where is the “goodness” God
created? We have just one big problem which
is responsible for all the others: Man’s
failure to acknowledge that what God had in
mind was for all of these wonderful things
on earth to honor Him, to display His
glory---They were all created for His
pleasure and for our good.
“For all things are for your sakes, that
the abundant grace might through the
thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of
God” (2 Corinthians 4:15).
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive
glory and honor and power; for thou has
created all things, and for thy pleasure
they are and were created” (Revelation
4:11).
“O Lord, I know that the way of man is
not in himself; it is not in man that
walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah
10:23).
“The steps of a good man are ordered by
the Lord; and he delighteth in his way”
(Psalm 37:23).
Unfortunately, man decided that he wanted to
walk in the steps he ordered rather
than the ones God ordered. Perfection was
compromised in Eden and from that moment on
deterioration set in. God’s plan for the
earth was rejected by man, but His
incomprehensible love for the man He created
put in motion His plan for restoration of
fallen man through Jesus Christ.
Now, would you come with me to the
Land of Imagination which can become
reality in our lives. Can you imagine---
--The Kingdom of God as He intended—
Imagine the productivity of the Kingdom of
God if all men pursued excellence in their
field of expertise (God-given ability),
using it only for the glory of God and the
benefit of mankind; everyone using their
gifts and talents faithfully and diligently
fulfilling their obligations and
responsibilities to God and man, and doing
so without envy or malice.
“For we are his workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath
before ordained that we should walk in them”
(Ephesians 2:10).
Some things that come to mind:
Hollywood, television and other media,
where trends and ideas seem to be the norm
to guide others’ lifestyles and morals.
Imagine that every producer would only
consider film themes that would honor God
and benefit man; actors and actresses would
only accept roles that were morally good and
upright; sponsors would only pay for
advertising to promote media that honored
God.
Sports and athletic events which appear
to grab and hold the attention of young and
old alike. Imagine sports with no
drugs, gambling and cheating; where coaches
and team owners demand moral living of their
players -- and themselves; where again
advertisers and promoters would not take
part in any schemes to take advantage of
anyone nor place ads that would not be
approved by God. Imagine coaches who
sincerely sought God’s advice on how to make
godly young men and women of those in his
charge. Imagine advertisers and promoters
refusing to endorse anything that would
cause the health and morals of their patrons
to be lowered.
Medical science which can improve,
enhance and extend our lives as they
discover more and better ways for us to
live, but sometimes use deadly experimental
practices. Imagine the medical scientist
peering into a microscope and seeing
something that has always been there but he
just couldn’t see it, something that would
wipe out plagues and diseases. It didn’t
just suddenly appear; it was always there,
waiting to be revealed as God inspired the
researchers.
Industry and commerce which improves our
lives but also takes us for a ride sometimes
by overcharging us and overrating
themselves. Imagine buildings that are
not only convenient but 100% safe to live
and work in. They would be safe because
they were built according to the blueprints
God inspired the engineers to produce.
(Remember the blueprint God gave Moses?) Imagine being able to believe every
advertisement that proclaims the product’s
use will benefit us and be priced
reasonably, because the ad writers were
inspired by God to be truthful about the
products and services which were produced
according to standards approved by God.
Imagine corporate leaders who have
impeccable integrity as they wisely invest
our money, never taking advantage for
themselves but looking out for the welfare
of mankind and honoring God; because they
first consulted Him.
Government and politicians with the power
and authority to make life wonderful or
miserable for us. Imagine those in
power, governing at all levels, doing as
Solomon and seeking God’s wisdom for making
right and good judgments for the benefit of
those they govern and judge. Imagine there
being absolutely no corrupt judges, and
politicians kept all their campaign promises;
because they didn’t promise anything they
didn’t actually intend to keep; and they
only made promises based on what would honor
God.
Friends and family. Imagine never
having to doubt the loyalty of a friend, one
you could bare your heart to and know they
would guard it with their lives.
Imagine husbands and wives faithfully
keeping "till death do us part," and each
partner knowing they would never have to
doubt their spouse. Imagine
parents who asked God what was best for
their family and always did that. Imagine
siblings and other relatives who looked out
for your welfare above their own. Imagine
there being no “generation gaps.”
As
you can see, this list would be endless.
Have you given thought that that is the
kind of world God intended, the original
perfect “good” world? God created the world
to be a place of peace, safety and beauty
for the man He created. Remember, all Adam
had to do was “dress” the Garden of Eden.
The thorns and “sweat-of-the-brow” grooming
didn’t begin until after man rejected God’s
plan and instituted his own, ignoring God’s
instructions and giving ear to the deceiver,
Satan.
If
this seems to be ‘pie-in-the sky’ thinking,
consider this:
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole
matter: Fear God, and keep his
commandments; for this is the whole duty of
man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Did you get that? The WHOLE DUTY of
man—spiritual, secular, personal and
corporate. The summation of the matter is
that man is to “fear God and keep His
commandments.” If man did that, the
imaginations mentioned here and all other
matters pertaining to mankind would be
realities! God’s pleasure would be complete
as He observed His creation doing everything
in His name.
“And whatsoever, ye do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God and the Father by him”
(Colossians 3:17).
The facts of life now are that man has gone
his own way, done his own thing and failed
from the beginning to walk in the steps
ordered by the Lord. That thought is
discouraging and depressive, and admittedly
we will not see that kind of existence
imagined here until Jesus comes back and
makes all things right, but do you know
what? We CAN make a difference where
we live here and now.
Just because Hollywood and other media
promote immorality; just because the sports
and athletic world often uncovers its own
corruption; just because some scientists are
atheists (not all are!!) and will not accept
the fact that God would enlighten them to
the truths they seek; just because some in
medical science think they alone can
discover all they need to know in their
field; just because industry needs constant
surveillance to keep them from being
dishonest and taking advantage of us; just
because we can’t always depend on our
government to look out for our best welfare
and we cannot always trust our closest friend
and family members: and just because of
anything else not mentioned here that you
can imagine that has failed to honor God and
work for the good and benefit of
mankind—None of these means WE have to live
that way!
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or
whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of
God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
This is “Deloresese” but I think it makes
good sense: “God honors those who honor
Him.” You may not find it exactly worded
like that in the KJV, but you sure will find
its principles scattered from Genesis to
Revelation. True, we will not have the kind
of world that God created and intended for
us to live in because of man’s failure; but
we have a hope! We know that if we will
live by these principles put forth in God’s
Word, here and now, we will be blessed now
and have the promise to live with Him in His
Kingdom when He comes back to set everything
straight and in order. Let’s begin to
practice living according to the inspiration
of God, making every decision one that He
can bless now; and when He comes back, we
will be ready to live in that “New World" !!
“It is God which worketh in you both to
will and to do of his good pleasure”
(Philippians 2:13).
You see, these “principles-to-live-by”
(which include the Ten Commandments and all
of God’s instructions in His Word) can make
for us a little “Heaven on Earth.” There
are just not enough descriptive words to
tell about the peace of God we have when we
live with a clear conscience before God and
fellowman. Paul called it a “peace which
passeth all understanding” which is why it
defies description.
“So my counsel is: Don’t worry about
things—food, drink and clothes. For you
already have life and a body—and they are
far more important than what to eat and
wear. Look at the birds! They don’t worry
about what to eat—they don’t need to sow or
reap or store up food—for your heavenly
Father feeds them. And you are far more
valuable to him than they are” (Matthew
6:25, 26 LB).
What more proof do we need that God cares
for us and wants to guide our lives—every
facet of them, no exception; He wants to
walk and talk with us, daily—as we walk in
the steps He ordered. This is the
formula for excellence.
Take a moment to read Deuteronomy 28: 1-13
to review what God’s reaction is toward
those who live according to His plan.
Can you imagine? Don’t just imagine living
to please God and loving your neighbor as
yourself. Make it a reality. It starts
with me – and you. Don’t wait for someone
else to initiate it. Begin now to consult
God for everything you do. He is interested
in the smallest affair of your life and how
it relates to others. He wants to renew our
minds to be sensitized to great discoveries
in every area of our lives, lived in
excellence.
It
has to start somewhere; it might as well
begin with me!
“Let them shout for joy, and be glad,
that favor my righteous cause; yea, let them
say continually, ‘Let the Lord be magnified,
which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his
servant’ ” (Psalm 35:27).
Let this new year just beginning be the year
of the turn-around—toward God and His
Kingdom. Let it be a year that
relationships are restored, moralities
improve among Christians; and imagine what
good we can do to make life better here and
now for ourselves and others. Let the
world see us as children of the Most High
God with impeccable morals, clear
consciences and excellent lifestyles.
Sure we can! – with God’s help.
Happy New Year! |
