THE FOURTH QUARTER by Brian Bailey
Perhaps you’ve been at a game of recent and seen players on the sidelines, holding up four fingers and chanting some encouraging words to one another.
It’s the fourth quarter, no matter the score, it’s the last ditch effort to do all that can be done to bring home the win.
This scene is replayed every week, in every hamlet of the nation, as we gather together to watch these kids on the field of play. The games are short, the season even shorter and time is of the essence… it’s fall and winter is fast approaching.
Busyness… in every facet of our lives, we move at break neck speeds with schedules full enough to fill out two families calendars. Is it any wonder we turn around and another year is nearly gone by? Whether it be work, children, church, hobbies, vacations… you fill in the blank, if we can imagine it, we’re doing it! But, to what end?
I’ve said this before, “I’m not legalistic about much, but don’t mess with my Sundays.” I cherish my down time; I cherish my worship time. Barring needs above my own that need attending to, I am more than ready to disconnect from the “crazy”, get into God’s world, with God’s people… and when that’s done, it’s time to recharge the batteries!
In all of the hubbub we surround ourselves with, I personally fear, that I’m more in tune with the world and its “goings on” than I am with what God’s got going on. The distractions are aplenty and its pathetically easy to lose focus of all that really matters, especially when the demands of this life overwhelm us. This SHOULD be a red flag to us all!
Matthew 24:42,44 tells us…
“Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is
coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what
part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and
would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be
ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
In all of the excitement this world has to offer, if we’re not mindful of
the things of God’s word and His promises, we could very well miss out on
the most exciting time in the history of mankind!
While you’ll not hear politics in this corner, one would have to engage in willful ignorance to NOT see the cultural and moral decay that brow beats us at every turn.
There is a sharp escalation in all things “bad”, a general disdain for all things “good” and to add to the confusion, we’ve decided to redefine “good and bad,” to suit our own needs.
I’ve said all this to say just this… it’s time. It’s the fourth quarter.
There are those that are in the game, that aren’t “riding the pine”, so to
speak… they’ve got four fingers in the air… it’s a signal to those around
them that time is short. They’re eagerly awaiting the moment when they’re
called up to do their part.
Then, I’m afraid, there are certain of us who really aren’t all that
concerned with God’s promises. They’ve heard the stories all their lives, but
nothing’s happened. They’re living a pretty good life…. times are good…
and they’ve always got time. Right?
One of every 25 verses of the New Testament speaks of the Second
Coming of Christ. This is NOT by accident!
One of every 25 verses of the New Testament speaks of the Second
Coming of Christ. This is NOT by accident!
It’s time… time to get our noses back into God’s word, time to get our
hands busy working for the kingdom and time to be great witnesses as
darkness spreads over the land.
As surely as you placed your faith and trust in a Savior born in Bethlehem, we need to be on our toes, diligently watching and waiting for our sure and certain Hope, as we see the day approaching!
May the upcoming seasons in our calendar year find you well and
blessed…. and please know that you are loved! We look forward to seeing
you and serving you as Christ would lead.
In Him,
Brian Bailey
Elder