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| Ten
Down, Two To Go |
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| Bubba Garner |
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This
has always been my favorite time of year. It starts with the weather,
which usually cools off right when college football and the baseball
postseason heats up. Animals are generally more playful and frisky on
brisk, autumn mornings. Even our new cat, Max, (whose name was changed
from Bella when we discovered he was not a she) has gotten into the spirit
of the season. But fall has an effect on people, too. Folks seem to be in
better moods, talking to strangers standing in line at the grocery store
and whistling while walking to their cars in the parking lot. It’s just
a pleasant season and a refreshing break from the Houston heat.
But if we’re not careful,
we allow the cold front to come right into the church building with us. We
have a tendency to throw in the towel once November rolls around and focus
all our attention on how to get off to a fresh start come January. Before
you begin shutting down and making plans for next year, will you decide to
make the most of the last two months of this year?
There is still time to
grow. I bought some Winterizer last week and spread it on my lawn. I
did so because I want my grass to be green and healthy, to grow. If only I
was as concerned about my spiritual growth. That won’t happen
accidentally or automatically. You first have to decide that you want to
grow. You have to make sure you’re getting the right nutrition and
putting healthy things into your mind and heart. You have to be in the
right kind of environment, one that is conducive to growth. And you have
to do it “applying all diligence” (2 Pet. 1:5).
There’s no shortcut to
growth; it doesn’t come overnight. It’s a patient process. But it will
happen if you decide to do it. So, don’t wait until January 1. Get
growing.
There are still people
to teach. In the area of evangelism, we all see where we can improve,
but it’s time to make some changes or do something about it. It’s not
that we don’t understand the commandment. Jesus said, “go into all the
world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark. 16:15). No Greek
lexicon or dictionary needed there. It’s not that we don’t recognize
the need. The Lord told His disciples to “lift up your eyes and look on
the fields, that they are white for harvest” (John 4:35). That’s your
neighbor, your friend, your classmate, and your coworker.
Remember what time of year
it is? It’s harvest time. Just ask Paul and Beth Rader. Let’s bring
s’more.
There are still
opportunities to serve. We know all too well that things like sickness
and death are not limited to certain seasons. They are all around us, all
the time. Over the next two months, there will be people who need our
time, our attention, our sympathy, our understanding. It’s why we’re
here.
In fact, Jesus said that
part of following after Him involves the willingness of a man to “deny
himself” (Matt. 16:24). If you want to serve Him, there are time
you’re going to have to put yourself last. Especially when it’s not
convenient.
November is right around
the corner. Time to put on a sweatshirt and relax, right? Don’t fall for
it.
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Copyright (C)
2008
Southside Church of Christ
All rights reserved.
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