COME BEFORE WINTER...

IT'S TIME TO ASSESS THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE LAST 5 MONTHS? (written for the Hamilton Temple Corps' Soldiers' Meeting)
To me, one of the saddest portions of the New Testament is found in the 4th chapter of II Timothy.

In re-reading Paul’s last recorded words last week, in preparing for the corps' Bible study, I was left wondering, did Timothy make an effort to “come before winter” and see his mentor one last time ? Did he risk traveling on the often treacherous autumn seas to bid Paul farewell before he was led from his dungeon, past the gates of Rome, and beheaded as the sun rose over the Roman hillside? We don’t know the answer, however, it’s the type call we’ve all faced, and it's repeated again each year. In our case it’s the personal investments we are asked to make each autumn in accordance with what the Lord requests of us. For us it’s a matter of committing before winter to use the resource of time and talent gifted to us, and to plant and invest them wisely for eventual harvesting some months later. It's the type of investment made by others that brought and kept you and me in the fold. But, perhaps young Timothy said to himself, ‘Paul should know that I have my hands full… how can he assume I can drop it all and run errands for him?! I’m already busy tending to the many requests and expectations he and others have placed on me!”


Sound vaguely familiar?


Do you remember the unfulfilled promises made last autumn or the year before? I'm certain we all do... Aren’t we all very much the same? How can my corps officer or Pastor possibly expect more from me ? I’m carrying a full load and doing more than most !


Some things must be done “before winter” or they will not and cannot be done at all. There are doors of service, of ministry that open before us, individually and as a Christian body, and if we do not act on them, they will be forever shut by springtime. Some assignments demand an immediate response; an 'act now' reaction!


As this new worship season of service begins, in what area of your life is God calling you and me to act…to plan for and commit to before winter?  ALL MY DECLARED INTENTIONS ARE AN INSULT TO GOD'S GIFTING AND TIMING UNLESS  MY PRACTICAL SERVICE MEASURES UP TO JESUS' DEMANDS.


The story is told of the famous conductor George Solti rehearsing the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the 1812 Overture. He was asking repeatedly, as they rehearsed the Finale, to ‘play it as loud as you can!’ But it wasn’t enough and he asked again, ‘play it as loud as you can – please, play it as loud as you can!’ When they finally reached the top of an incredibly loud crescendo he said, ‘now play it louder still!!’


Yes, I know- I’ve been there often in life and have said in my mind, please don’t add any more to my plate, only to reevaluate both the need and the resources and in the process recalling that great truth that we have His presence, His plan and His power leading us.


Thomas Merton said: “A true encounter with Christ liberates something in us. A power we did not know we had, a hope, a capacity for life; a resilience, an ability to bounce back when we thought we were completely defeated, a capacity to grow and change, a power of creative transformation.”


Do you recall that holy moment when you were sworn in as a SA soldier? Chances are that the scripture read was the end of Paul’s masterful and edifying letter to the Ephesians where he concludes with this most important exhortation: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and his mighty power." It is this instruction that precedes his famous words about the whole armour of God.


The SA used to be immersed in the language of warfare. We can garner much by studying and learning from our roots; to fit ourselves for battle! Paul told the Ephesians that, as believers in Christ, they were engaged in a cosmic battle. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”. The battle can’t be put on hold…


For the clock of life is wound but once.

And no one has the power,

To tell just when the hand will stop,

At late or early hour.

Now is the time we have.

Live, love, toil, work with a will,

Do not wait for tomorrow,

For the clock may then be still.


Pray, asking for His presence to guide you as you deliberate where you will give more time and talent this season…


Galatians 6:9 (NIV) "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."


For the sake of our gospel, come before winter!

Dr. Sven-Erik Ljungholm
Former SA Officer
Govan Corps UKT