Energy

Sunday Sermons

Mark Dunagan
09/24/06 - Sunday Morning

Energy

I have seen a number of changes in my short lifetime, but the emergence of the vast array of “energy drinks” is something that definitely caught my attention. On the one hand, one can work longer, but at the same time one can also act dumber longer as well. Most translations do not use the English word “energy” yet the Bible does talk about “working heartily” (Colossians 3:23); “rejoicing always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16); “praying without ceasing” (5:17); “being diligent” (Ephesians 4:3; Romans 12:11); “fervent in spirit” (Romans 12:11); and “laboring earnestly” (Colossians 4:12). At the same time, the Bible speaks or warns against things that can sap our energy (Mark 4:18-19).

Get rid of the Worry: 1 Peter 5:8

“Trust the loving and omniscient God to protect your life; you, attend to the next required action” (Invisible Monkeys, World Magazine, 8-26-2006, p. 51). It is so easy to walk about in a vague cloud of anxiety or worry, for there are so many things that we cannot control, but one of the best ways to release a burst of productive energy (instead of worrying which is unproductive energy), is to get busy on the next required action in your life. This could be to make dinner, read to your kids, visit that new neighbor, take a meal to someone in need, or prepare for Sunday morning class. “When my husband died and this kept woman was hired for her first paying job in 20 years, managing a café, I felt anxious and insecure until my mother said the following: ‘Look at it this way, your goal is to make a decent sandwich” (World Magazine p. 51). Worry will seek to keep one from completing concrete goals, and getting up and doing something that will dispel worry.

Mental Traffic Jams

“Jesus tells us not to worry (Matthew 6:25) and David Allen (Getting Things Done) says much worry comes from a mental traffic jam of ‘inappropriately managed commitments’. He says, ‘Your mind will keep working on anything that’s still in an undecided state’” (World p. 51).

· One of the great benefits of Bible study is that the Scriptures settle so many issues (Ephesians 4:14; Colossians 1:23).

· Equally so, one of the dangers of procrastination or mentally shelving something is that the mind cannot really let go of something that remains in the “undecided” department.

· God’s advice or command in this realm is to get off the fence and make a decision (1 Kings 18:21 “How long will you hesitate between two opinions?”)

Resolve what is Bugging You

“Is it bugging you that you haven’t read your Bible in about six months? Okay, either live with the gnawing discomfort or take the next action. Maybe the next action is, ‘Where’s my Bible?’ Or maybe what’s shipwrecked your good intentions is something as small as the looming imagined hassle of not knowing where to start in your reading—Old Testament or New Testament?” (p. 51)

View your Life from Different Heights

I find that when people lack energy or are worrying about something, they are seeing everything from ground level. You need to take a look at things from about 50,000 feet. On this point I am reminded of a case in the Old Testament. The Syrians were out to capture Elisha because he was informing the Israelite king of all their troop movements (2 Kings 6:8-13). They surrounded the city of Dothan, and the servant of Elisha panicked and said, “What shall we do?” (6:15). Elisha remained calm and answers, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (6:16). He then prayed that his servant would be able to see the evidence of this. As a result, “The Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (6:17). Like the Verizon commercial that has a full supporting network following one customer, Christians have immense heavenly resources behind them. Paul said, “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31).

From 10,000 feet my problems might look overwhelming and this was the view of Elisha’s servant. From 50,000 feet my problems might look manageable and instead of feeling sorry for myself, I actually feel sorry for my enemies. When you look at things at eye level it is so easy to forget why we are doing what we are doing.

The 50,000 foot view:

· I am child of God.

· I have a good husband or wife and I love him or her (Titus 2; Eph. 5).

· I have good kids who are learning about God.

· I have real friends in my fellow Christians.

· If I die today I go to heaven (Philippians 1:21-23).

· I have every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

· It is not too late for me like the rich man in Luke 16.

· I have the truth! Among all the voices and philosophies in the world, I was able to recognize “the truth” (1 Timothy2:4), and this truth answers my questions, and solves my big problems (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

· I actually know who I am, where I am going, and why I am here (Acts 17:26-28).

· There are so many problems, issues and other things that I do not have to deal with because I am obedient to God.

The view at ground level:

· Unexpected bills.

· The economy.

· Terrorism in the world.

· Things in the house that need to be fixed.

· The next disease that is going to wipe us out.

· The next natural disaster that is going to wipe us out.

· What we are presently eating that is going to wipe us out.

· My busy or “over the top” schedule.

· The cost of living.

· Gas prices.

· How long will this car last?

· College tuition for the kids.

· Am I prepared for retirement?

· The cost of car insurance for a teenage boy.

· The neighbors who have that noisy dog.

Have a mental Garage Sale

One writer claimed that 80 percent of everything in every drawer in our homes never gets used, and in like manner there are a number of mental thoughts and images that we need to discard. Some of these unworthy thoughts we have been holding onto for years and even decades. The obvious ones are such things as lustful and angry thoughts, yet there are many others as well. Paul said, “Let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit” (2 Corinthians 7:1); and “We are destroying speculations and every lofty things raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). So here is the criterion for what mentally goes in the “sell” and “keep” pile. The only thoughts that I should want to keep are those thoughts that are in harmony with God’s will, thoughts are that actually true and accurate. This means that the following thoughts must be tossed out:

· Thoughts of worthlessness (Galatians 2:20).

· Thoughts of abandonment and loneliness (Hebrews 13:5).

· Thoughts of self-pity, “Nobody cares”.

· Thoughts of giving up (Galatians 6:9).

· Thoughts of being deprived and unblessed.

· Excuses, such as, “Oh, I couldn’t do that” (Philippians 4:13).

· Lack of contentment (Philippians 4:11).

· Attitudes such as, “Whatever”, “What’s the use of trying”, “It won’t work”, “It really doesn’t matter”, “Who cares” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

· “I have to do it all by myself” (Philippians 4:13).

· “It’s not fair” (Philippians 1:15ff).

· “Envy” (Psalm 73).

It is common among young people (and some adults) today to respond by saying, “Whatever”. But “whatever” is not true in God’s universe. If Evolution was true and God did not exist, then one could respond “whatever” to any situation, because nothing really would matter. Yet everything matters in God’s universe. The actions of one solitary sinner matter (Ecclesiastes 9:18), as well as one single act of kindness (Matthew 10:42). When the text says that, “God will bring every act to judgment” (Ecclesiastes 12:14), this means that everything does matter.

Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017