WHATEVER YOU DO ...

My mother was born with artsy-crafty genetics on steroids. No object is safe from her bedazzling, sewing, or painting talent. Numerous attempts were made by both of us to activate my own gene, but it soon became apparent that mine was dead on arrival. It also became apparent that, as a teenager, I needed, what’s the word ... oh yeah, motivation! I had a tendency to do things halfway. If at all. I believe the biblical definition is “sluggard.”

This was probably mom’s motivation decades ago in presenting me with her wee painted rock emblazoned with “do it right.” She figured I’d carry it with me for the rest of my life and become encouraged to be sluggardly no longer. I have indeed carried it with me. Sad to say, the admonition to do things completely and correctly didn’t kick in until a few decades later. 
I’ve recently noticed several t.v. commercials pushing the idea that doing things halfway is never a good idea. I suspect the marketing directors’ moms were behind this. Offering a rain-drenched person half an umbrella, or painting only half the house, is rather obvious slothfulness. Diagnosing a problem, but not fixing it, such as a dentist telling a patient that he has a really bad cavity, then walking away, is downright cruel. Or telling homeowners that their house is infested with termites, but too bad, you’re on their own! The lesson is that people must be willing to do things completely, to do things right!
Mom’s desire that I not be a sluggard finally found its way into me via Scripture. Once the Lord saved me, I found it very comforting to know that Jesus was never a sluggard, that He didn’t have to be prodded and reminded by His Father “to finish the work” given Him (John 4:34). He didn't just diagnose our sinfulness, and then tell us, "you're outta luck, bye-bye!"  On the cross, when He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), His work was complete and it was right. Salvation was secured at that moment, to God’s glory.
My Jesus, how I thank You that You set Your face to do what You came to do. In Scripture, and by Your eternal life, You are an example for me. I’ve learned that whatever my hand finds to do, I’m to do it with all my might; that whatever I do, do my work heartily, as for the Lord; and that I not be lacking in diligence, serving You (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Colossians 3:23; Romans 12:11). I praise and thank You, that everything You do throughout all eternity is right.

TIME MARCHES ON

 

I find it very interesting that younger people want to know what they’re gonna look like when they grow old, and then they find an “app” that allegedly foists that horror show upon them. I’m now at the age when I don’t really NEED an app, or any imagination, to see what I’ll look like when old, ’cause that ship has already left the dock. Although it hasn’t reached the high seas yet.

 

You may be aware of a book, then a couple of movies, about a spectacularly gorgeous (fictional) young man named Dorian Gray. His portrait was painted, and Dorian bemoaned the fact that he would grow old and the portrait never would. Through some fluke that only addled authors can beget, the portrait instead grows old and hideous as Dorian lives the hedonistic lifestyle and stays young and purty.

I’ve no clue what the author’s motivations were in writing this, but for me, I instantly think of the many-many-MANY instances in Scripture that speak, not of age progression, but rather of sin progression in people’s lives (Ezra 9:6; Hosea 13:2; Revelation 18:5). Think about that for a moment -- how would YOU like to see a portrait that exhibits, in glorious psychedelic color, every-single-little-and-big-sin you’ve ever committed in your life. That would be an unbearable sight.

 

Now think of this -- this hideous “portrait” is what the Lord God sees when He looks down at every unrepentant sinner. Stew in that for a minute.

 

This is what the Lord Jesus Christ took upon Himself on the Cross, and nailed to the Cross (Colossians 2:14). He washed me from my sins in His own blood (Revelation 1:5). He did this so that, when God looks at me, a repentant, born-again believer, all He sees is His sin-cleansed child. When He looks at me, He sees the purity of His Son, Christ.

 

And it doesn’t stop there! The progression continues, in the form of holiness and sanctification. As I continue through my earthly life, any sins I commit, after confessing them to God, the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse me from all sin (1 John 1:7-9). And the purpose of all this is to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

 

Father God, thank You for pointing out that it’s really not about me at all, about how pretty I look. It’s about You being glorified, about me making You look wonderful to others. What a merciful Savior You are, making me clean, keeping me clean, and making me Your child.