MICROWAVING AND MARINATING
James 1:19
Some situations in life require that we act
rather quickly lest the opportunity of the moment be lost. We can all look back
on life and see wasted chances to succeed and unseized days of promise. Hesitation
can bring defeat when victory was otherwise sure. However, there are other matters
that need time and patient persistence if good results are to occur. We can
also reflect on past failures that resulted from our inability to stay the
course. Steadfastness is the only way some good projects will ever be realized.
Let us have a look at some biblical principles that will help us to know when
we need to microwave and when we need to marinade.
Microwaving—When
We Need To Act With Dispatch (Josh. 7:1-15, esp. v. 10):
*
When there are highhanded actions or
attitudes present that are clearly hindering the forward progress of the
Kingdom, a rapid response is needed (I Cor. 5:1-13; II Jn. 9-10).
*
When the remedy to a problem is known,
action should follow without delay (Acts 22:16).
*
When events are unfolding and we cannot
be sure what is happening, we should be quick to hear—eager to evaluate
properly before we speak or become angry (Jas. 1:19).
*
When the needs of an individual or a
congregation are evident, such concerns should be addressed immediately (Col.
1:28-29; Acts 6:1-6).
*
We will find that many of the matters
that call for immediate attention are also such things as need continued attention—i.e.
bringing a person to maturity in Christ must be a pressing concern at all
times, but a concern that requires time for development.
*
Specific actions in a process have a
timeliness about them requiring that a certain moment must be seized; but the
process itself must acquire the necessary patience to see that specific needs
follow in sequence until they reach their goal.
Marinating—When
We Need To Patiently Develop And Nurture (II Tim. 4:1-2):
¨
Developing a mature congregation demands
that long-term process be patiently administered and nurtured (Eph. 4:11-16).
¨
Individual conformity to Christ (Rom.
8:29) requires daily attention to godliness (II Cor. 3:18).
¨
Voicing an opinion or expressing anger
are things to be undertaken slowly (Jas. 1:19).
¨
Teachable people in error are to be
worked with patiently (II Tim. 2:24-26).
¨
As with more immediate concerns, we
realize that a process is made up of certain specific actions that must occur
in a timely fashion.
¨
Just waiting for good things to happen
will avail nothing, our waiting must be filled with action—i.e. mature
Christians and congregations are the result of waiting for many well-thought-out
actions to reach their goal.
Life is largely made up of both immediate
actions and long term projects. The success of the projects depends on the
number and quality of the independent actions. When we try to accomplish the
goals of a project with a single action, we will fail. If we attempt to realize
long term goals without taking specific actions, we will also fail. Learning
when to microwave and when to marinate is, therefore, a most useful skill to
acquire.
ESJ
5/28/00
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