The Faith Life

Let God Choose the Next Thing

Tammy M CardwellLeave a comment

Have you ever had a “Must Do” list so long you literally didn’t know what to do first? That’s been me for about the past month. Staring at my list, too often not knowing where to start, I felt so buried I couldn’t begin to prioritize.

I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned it, but in the past when I got overwhelmed I tended to shut down. It was a stress response, obviously, but a lot of that response came from my brain not working right for several years.

On the outside I seemed normal, but inside I was often hanging by a thread.

I’ve been focusing on getting past that, though. I’ve been actively controlling my stress levels, which is a big factor in brain health. I’ve been taking supplements that support the brain as well. I’ve also been challenging myself with things like puzzles and studying Spanish.

(Don’t ask how well I’m doing with Spanish. It’s embarrassing.)

Bottom line: I knew that, if something didn’t change, I would shut down again.

I wasn’t letting that happen this time.
So, I called on the One who understands priorities better than any other.

For the past several weeks, while keeping a close eye on my list, I’ve been paying even more attention to what God has to say. And I mean that literally. When I finish one task, I turn to God and ask, “Ok, what’s the next thing?”

It makes all the difference in the world.

I might have wasted half an hour trying to decide. But God literally tells me what to do next, and then He helps me work on it.

And yes, I mean He helps me. I rely on God not just to keep my priorities in order, but to help me accomplish what I need to do.

Take TikTok for instance. I told you He urged me to get serious on TikTok – you can find me there @tmcardwell – and it took me way too long to get up the nerve to actually record that first video.

But I lean on Him. I ask Him to guide me, especially when I’m working on particularly challenging subjects like my current “Surviving Narcissism” series.

And He’s right there by me the whole time. As I prepped for a particular video recently, before I could even whisper, “Lord, I need the words,” I could almost feel His presence, as if His hands were resting reassuringly on my shoulders.

Six weeks ago, I would have been near panicking.
In that moment, I was instantly at peace.

Psalm 46 calls God our ever-present help. This is literal truth. If you haven’t experienced this part of having a relationship with God, I challenge you to reach out today. He’s ready to meet you where you are and help you do more than you ever thought possible.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

Learning to Shine Light in a New Place

Tammy M CardwellLeave a comment

I shared previously about Charlie Kirk’s death and how it had affected me. I’m sort of doing the same today.

As I watched new convert after new convert post on social media, particularly TikTok, I prayed for them. I asked God to protect them from wolves in sheep’s clothing, give them wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, etc. Essentially, I asked Him to give them the help they need as they grow in Him.

I should have expected what was coming next. When we become aware of a need it’s usually because He wants us to help meet it. He asked me a question:

“So how are you going to help them?”

Eventually I got the picture. He expects me to help in greater ways than I have been. God wants me to get out there to the people instead of waiting for them to find me. There are several facets to this new focus, but a big one is TikTok.

I’ve had an account for years and enjoyed following a variety of people, supporting them with my likes and comments. I soon realized what when God asked the question He was preparing my assignment. One thing He wanted was for me to become active on TikTok, to share the light in that place.

I’m a word person. I write books. I blog. I offer a newsletter. But, though I once spoke at homeschool conferences, I had zero experience in this new type of communication. The whole idea intimidated me so much that I asked a dear friend to be praying for me. I felt like He expected more than I was capable of.

Lesson Relearned:
Never underestimate God’s ability to make you able.

This feels like one of those times when He is qualifying the called instead of calling the qualified. Nonetheless, things are going well. Every day I learn new things, which is a miracle given the mental issues I dealt with only a few years ago. (Trauma does that to you.)

You can find me @tmcardwell if you’re interested.

While I don’t yet know what I should consider excellent where engagement is concerned, I’m happy with what I’m seeing. And you know what? I’m having fun.

I’m also genuinely helping people. Not everything shows up publicly, but the private conversations show I’m on the right path. Most importantly, I know I’m doing what He asked me to do. And, really, that’s all He requires – simple obedience.

So let me offer you a word of encouragement today. If God tells you to do something that seems impossible, take His word for it and step out. No matter what it looks like, He knows what He’s talking about. And when He calls you to do something He will equip you to get it done.

I mentioned trauma in passing, but it’s a significant side note. Trauma can destroy you but, no matter how broken you are, God can restore what you’ve lost!

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

How God Talked Me Into TikTok

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After Charlie Kirk was assassinated, I witnessed what can only be called a spiritual revolution on TikTok. Between posts and comments, I saw hundreds of people who hadn’t even had God on their radar suddenly coming to Jesus.

Something supernatural was happening – still is.

I’ve tried to support and comment on these posts as much as I could, and I’ve prayed. Oh, how I’ve prayed. I’ve been concerned for these newborn Christians because those are ones the devil so likes to attack, to draw into deception.

At some point last month, it seemed like God was asking me, “So how are you going to help them?”

Um…

I’ve been a lurker on the clock app for years. Well, not really a lurker, because as I said I comment and support. I’ve come to appreciate a great many of these creators. But becoming one of them – putting myself out there and making TikToks – was another thing entirely.

I couldn’t conceive of it. Oh, I could in theory like the idea, but when it came to seriously considering following through and doing it… That was a different story. Besides, God hadn’t come out and told me to start creating; He’d just asked how I was going to help.

Then it happened. Suddenly my FYP was filled with creators talking about creating. One explained that you don’t always have to do videos; you can post text and photos too. So I did one – a picture of my book with a brief explanation – and felt pretty good about it. So I did another. And another.

Don’t get too excited: As of right now I’ve only done five TikTok posts and about as many stories.

If you read yesterday’s article, When God Grows Your Faith, you know God has asked me to do some things lately that seemed impossible. This was one of them. He eventually did ask me to start creating on TikTok. For real.

So for real, if you’re interested, you can find me @tmcardwell. I post as Tammy M. Cardwell Author.

But back to my story. God was merciful on this one, leading me into this new thing gently and not giving me my assignment until I was at least relatively comfortable. But there is an assignment, and I am working on it. 

I’ve ordered my light, and I’m waiting for my video expert friend to recommend the right mic for my budget. He won’t be able to come help me stage for these videos until after the first of the year, I don’t think, but once I have the tools and know how to use them, I’ll start working with what I’ve got.

In the meantime, I’m working on ideas.

Like I said yesterday, the Christian life is all about walking by faith. It’s trusting that when God tells you to do something He’s already got the road mapped out in front of you. All you have to do is listen and, as Isaiah 30:21 tells us:

“You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying,
‘This is the correct way, walk in it,’ whether you
are heading to the right or the left.”

Random Note: I can never read those words without flashing back to Gandalf with his hand on Frodo’s shoulder, telling him which way to go.

Each step may seem uncertain, but with each step I take I see God proving Himself faithful. He’s turning what once felt impossible into “done.”

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

When God Grows Your Faith

Tammy M CardwellLeave a comment

I’ve been thinking a lot about this quote from Hudson Taylor lately.

“There are three stages to every great work of God;
first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.”

God has been asking me to do things, lately, that seem impossible, so I guess it’s no surprise that this quote came to mind.

“What do you mean by ‘impossible,’ Tammy?”

I mean that, when you look at my circumstances and experience, God is literally asking me to do things I cannot possibly do. 

Have you ever considered something and, even as you thought, “No,” you undeniably heard God speak to your spirit a solid, “Yes”? I did earlier this month. On the outside I looked calm and collected. On the inside a battle raged. My flesh, which was being told to step out of the way, was in a heated argument with my spirit.

But my spirit was leaping up and down. God had spoken to me, clearly, about this specific situation. And when God speaks that clearly, not only am I limited to one option – obedience – but I also have a guarantee that He’s not going to let me fail.

My flesh didn’t believe a word of it.

Flesh: “But you know how you get when learning new things frustrates you; you shut down.”

Spirit: “Not this time! God’s standing right here assuring me I won’t!”

Flesh: “What about the financial commitment you’re making? You haven’t budgeted for anything like this!”

Spirit: “God has, obviously, or He wouldn’t be telling me to do it.”

During the battle I was reminded of both Hudson Taylor’s quote and something a character in a book once said. I can’t remember what he said, exactly, but it was along the lines of, “Of course I don’t know how God is going to work it out. That’s what makes it so exciting!”

Even then, the battle wasn’t over.

The next morning, I was still struggling, doubting that I was truly hearing from God, so I fell back on my tried-and-true decision making strategy. It’s a principle my pastor taught many years ago: God always leads with peace.

So, when faced with a hard decision, I decide. In this case (because I had a feeling it was the wrong choice), I first decided I wasn’t going to do it; I was going to pass up the opportunity I was being given. And I was filled with…complacency.

I will interject here that I’ve advised people about this process many times and I always explain that only God can give you peace; the closest the devil can get is complacency. I’ve never experienced it like this before, however. Generally, the wrong choice has resulted in a churning stomach.

But yeah, I felt total and complete complacency, like a sleeper who chooses to roll over and go back to sleep because he isn’t in the mood to face the day. It disturbed me so that I quickly decided to obey God.

Not only did peace instantly flood my soul when I said, “Yes,” to God: I got excited!

And then something occurred to me. Actually, I’m going to say God revealed it to me, because this is a thought I’ve never had.

We are to live by faith. We know this. Scripture after scripture tells us we’re to walk by faith, to grow and strengthen our faith, that we’re to have works associated with our faith, that we can’t please God without faith…

I’ll stop. But you get the idea.

My faith is as strong as it is because living with my husband required it. When you’re moving essentially from one crisis to another, either you’ll build your faith up or you’ll let yourself be torn down – and I was not going to let myself be torn down!

Even in the year after he passed, my faith grew as it was stretched by my financial and housing situations, but in the past year or so…not so much. And I didn’t realize it until recently, but that steady season had quietly allowed my faith muscles to relax. 

But, again, that’s not what we’re called to do. I have come to believe that, if we’re not consciously choosing to stretch and work our faith, which is what is required for it to grow, God will lead us into situations where stretching and building up our faith is a necessity.

Now that I think about it, this is the second time He’s done that in recent months. Something else happened a few months ago that demanded I put my faith out there and trust Him, and I was excited to find I was able, that I was looking forward to seeing how He would take care of things. I still am.

So…yeah… Faith – trusting God – is not just important; it’s essential. We can’t just say we trust Him; our lives have to show it. And when they do, He’ll often lead us straight into the impossible.

But once our focus is fully on Him, we’ll realize it was never impossible after all. It may be difficult, yes, but at some point…it will be done.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

The Victor’s Crown: Why Our Struggles Matter

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“Why does life have to be so hard?”

Now there’s a question we’ve all asked more than once. Clearly, I don’t have the whole answer, but I saw something in the Word today that reminded me of one of the reasons life is hard.

Everyone goes through hard seasons. Mine may look different from yours, but they are hard nonetheless. This is a good fact to remember: Everyone around you is dealing with something, probably many somethings. Never assume your neighbor has it easy, because it’s highly likely they don’t.

Everyone goes through tests, trials, and temptations. How we respond to them matters. I’m speaking to Christians here, so I’ll leap right into temptation. Have you felt God prompt you to give up a habit and you’ve tried, but you just couldn’t do it – or did it for a time and then went right back to it?

I’m not even talking about outright sin here. My point is that any time God asks us to do something, or to stop doing something, and we are tempted to disobey, that is a test. Our flesh may be testing us, or demonic influences might be pushing the temptation our way. Regardless, it’s a test.

Now look at James 1:12 in the New Living translation:
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

I went to the Renner Interpretive Version: James & Jude for Rick Renner’s notes on this crown of life and he explains that “crown,” the word James used here, referred to a victor’s crown such as those given to winning athletes. These crowns made of laurel wreaths marked them as people to be esteemed and honored; they also guaranteed the winner would be provided for for the rest of his life. 

But James didn’t stop there. He called it the crown of life or, properly translated, the victor’s crown of zoe life which, according to Renner, “brings a physical and spiritual reward, both in life now and for all eternity.”

This is clearly something that is not to be taken lightly!

But we have to remember where we started.
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.”

Now let’s look at this verse in two other translations.

James 1:12 (NKJV) – “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

James 1:12 (NET) – “Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.”

How we deal with test/trials/temptations is what determines whether or not we are approved, whether or not we have proven ourselves to be true lovers of God.

Am I saying those who fail aren’t saved? Not necessarily, no. I’m saying that when a runner enters a race he goes in with his eyes wide open, knowing he will be tested to his limits. He may face distractions, bumps in the road, weather issues, interference by other runners, and major objections from his own body.

He will face the temptation to slow down, with a voice whispering that second or third place wouldn’t be so bad. He will face the temptation to throw up his hands and quit. But if he wants to win, he determines in his heart that we will press on through to the end no matter what obstacles are in his way.

This is what the Apostle Paul did. In 2 Timothy 4:7 he explains to Timothy that he knows his time is up, that he won’t be alive much longer, and he assures this one who was like a son to him that:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

We know from his own accounts and history that Paul faced more trials, tribulations, and temptations than most of us can conceive, but he ran his whole race determined that, no matter what he faced, he and God would win.

Those tests, trials, and temptations give us the opportunity to prove that our love for God is real, not just something we feel when life looks good. They also, according to James 1:2, help us grow into maturity.

Yes, life can be hard, but we can be strong. If Paul did it, we can too.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

What Do I Say?

Tammy M Cardwell2 Comments

I was in an uncomfortable position, recently. (Understatement Alert)

I’d received a message – heartfelt, pain-filled, and laced with anger – that I knew I needed to respond to. But I didn’t know how.

So, I waited.

I’ve learned that, when my heart is stirred like it was at that point, my first reaction is not usually going to be the best one. In this instance I wasn’t even being asked to respond, not directly, but it was clear I was expected to. So yes, I waited.

I waited until I’d had time to step away from it, to breathe, to do other things and give God a chance to speak. Interestingly, He used TikTok, of all things, to remind me of truths I already knew, but hadn’t put together to apply to this moment.

When God nudged me, letting me know it was time, I returned to the message.

Before I started typing, I prayed:
“You’ve got to give me the words. I can’t do this without you.”

I knew the direction He wanted to go. I knew my heart was in the right place. I just didn’t trust myself to get it right.

And God did what He always does.
He gave me the words.

They sounded like me: If you read them, you’d know I wrote them. But I only typed what He told me to say. Even a part I initially left out, feeling like it would be “too much,” He had me go back and add, and I’m glad I did.

Because I waited.
Because I listened.
Because I trusted.
He gave me the words.

I Knew He would.

I learned this lesson long ago, before my first experience as a conference speaker. I’d done everything I knew to do. I’d researched, studied, prayed, outlined… But I was still unsure of myself. 

As I’d talked to Him about it, God had reassured me:
If He gave Moses the right words, He would do the same for me.

And He did.

My workshops went well, and I’d learned something new and vital. What God did for Moses He really is willing to do for me.

And for you.

He created us. He knows our strengths – and our weaknesses. He understands our messy emotions and our tendency to speak when silence is the better choice – or to hesitate, remaining silent when someone needs hope.

He knows how much we want to represent Him well – not misrepresent Him!
He knows we want to make things better – not worse!

The good news is…

He’s willing to help.
Not just with strength.
Not just with courage.
But with the very words we need to say.

Left to our own devices, we might make a tense situation even worse.
We might miss an opportunity to bring peace, healing, or truth.

But with God?

With God, yes.

We can know what to say.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

The Weight of the Calling: A Reflection on James 3:1

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Every time I read James 3:1, I pause and examine my heart and motives.

I’ve never claimed to be a teacher; I’m not one. I’m merely someone who shares what she learns as she learns it – what God shows me as He helps me understand it.

James 3:1 is a strong warning:

“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” (KJV)

Most modern translations use the word “teacher” instead of “master,” which is another reason I don’t claim to be a teacher. I’ve certainly not mastered Scripture well enough to teach it!

This verse hits me harder now than it ever has. Reading Rick Renner’s Renner Interpretive Version: James & Jude has given me a deeper understanding of this verse than I anticipated.

The one verse warrants two whole pages in his book. He has a lot to say and it’s all important. For brevity’s sake, I’m limiting myself to sharing just two points here. They’re things we should already know, but still…

There is no room for ego and pride in ministry.
At any level.
Period.

Whether one is a Christian or not, ego and pride are the most common culprits when it comes to desiring labels, titles, and recognition. Actually, let’s get real; they are the culprits. Whether we admit it or not.

Renner writes, “Humility serves as an unmistakable hallmark of any great teacher, and all genuine ‘masters’ have first been mastered by their own submission to truth.”

I saw this humility in action once when a guest minister arrived early and saw us setting up tables in the foyer. He didn’t miss a beat but immediately jumped in to help in spite of our efforts to stop him. He was our special guest! That didn’t matter to him. I wish I could remember exactly what he said as he picked up his end of a table. All I can tell you is that it made a huge impact on us.

Like Jesus did when He washed the disciples’ feet, this man demonstrated true servant leadership. He wasn’t chasing acclaim – he was living his calling with humility. Even those who rarely see him could tell it, and you know God noticed! Because…

God is always watching.

If someone sets themselves up and declares, “I’m a Christian teacher,” they really need to consider the magnitude of their decision. God, who cannot be deceived, sees every word, every motive, everything we hide in our hearts. We may fool man, but we can’t put anything over on God.

James doesn’t pull punches. In the NET this verse reads:

“…because you know that we will be judged more strictly.”

That’s heavy! Imagine James – the brother of Jesus – saying, “If I mess this up God is going to come down on me – HARD.”

But James didn’t write this to scare his readers. He wrote it because he cared. He wanted to protect them from false prophets and teachers; he also wanted to protect them from the self-deception of pride. He was trying to help them count the cost of leadership.

Renner’s notes unpack what it meant, in that culture, to be a teacher, master, or revelator. It required a level of preparation and knowledge that few were willing to pursue – study that took years, even decades. It still requires such effort today.

Do you feel called to the ministry?

Then prepare your heart. Study like never before. Live close to Jesus. And check your pride at the door.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

If you haven’t read it already, you may want to check out my review of the Renner Interpretive Version: James & Jude.

Message Cards: A Simple Way to Witness

Tammy M Cardwell2 Comments

Sunday’s post on tipping and my latest project come together for this one.

As Christians, we have Good News worth sharing, but the thought of stepping out and speaking up can feel overwhelming. Trust me; I get it. I’m a serious introvert (if you’ve never picked up on that) and sharing Jesus used to intimidate me in a big way. But I discovered that it didn’t have to.

A Missed Opportunity and a New Idea
Many years ago, I realized I was missing a golden opportunity. I ate out frequently and wanted to share Jesus with the servers I met but was too shy to speak up. I am a good tipper and I soon decided I needed something I could leave with my tip.

Note:
If you don’t tip well,
you might want to check out my recent post,
Don’t Let a Bad Tip Ruin a Good Witness.

I settled on what I call message cards; I designed and ordered them fairly inexpensively from VistaPrint. My message was simple: “God loves you so much He asked Jesus to die for you. Jesus loves you so much that He did. John 3:16” After some thought, I decided to include my URL so people would have somewhere to go if they had questions. These little cards became a quiet way for me to witness without feeling awkward or pushy.

I prayed that each card would reach at least one person, then I left them with tips, used them as business cards by jotting my number or email on the back, and at one point even stapled dollar bills to a bunch of them and hid them in products in stores – coat pockets, wallets, etc. (I’m not necessarily advising this, but it was fun!)

These little cards were affordable and easy to hand out, but potentially powerful.

Time for an Upgrade
I recently realized my supply was getting low, and also that it was time for a new look. I had an idea of what I wanted them to say, but no design skills, so I turned to someone I trust implicitly: my son Terry, the owner of PixelDripStudio. He’s working on my website redesign, so he knows my branding (which he also created) and my heart.

I scribbled two lines on the back of one of my old cards and told him, “This is what I want to say.” After asking several questions to help refine the idea, he got to work… and he gave me more than I was expecting.

Watching him work was a joy (If you’re a mom, you know), and I’m proud to be able to share what he created. As silly as it sounds, I’m particularly delighted with the gloss accents! You’ll see them better in these two smaller pictures.

My message is two-fold.

1. John 3:16 is Personal
Yes, God sent Jesus “for the world” but, specifically, He sent Jesus for you. He was thinking of you when He asked His Son to become one of us, to live without sin, to show us how to live, then to give His life – knowing exactly who He was dying for.

…and…

2. Jesus Chose the Cross
Sometimes we gloss over Gethsemane, choosing to pass by the pain, but we shouldn’t. Read Luke 22:41-44 and you’ll see that Jesus was under so much torment in the garden that He sweated drops of blood. (Yes, it’s a real condition! Look up Hematidrosis.) Our Savior knew what was coming, what He would endure. He had every right to back out, but He didn’t. 

“Nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.”

He chose the cross. He chose you.

This is the foundation of every piece of encouragement and advice I offer here and in my newsletter. Jesus’ love for us, for you and me, is beyond comprehension. The more I think about what it cost both God and our Lord to free us from bondage to sin the more in awe I am.

The Takeaway
These new cards carry my heart, and my contact information for those who have questions. They present a message that matters and they let me share Jesus without saying a word. 

Evangelism doesn’t have to be scary and hard. It can be as simple as handing someone a card.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

Don’t Let a Bad Tip Ruin a Good Witness

Tammy M Cardwell2 Comments

More and more lately, I come across social media reels from non-Americans asking why we do certain things. One common question is, “Why do Americans tip their servers?”

It’s a fair question, especially since it seems we’re the only nation, or one of the few, that does it.

The answer may surprise you.

Here in the U.S., the federal government classifies servers as “tipped employees.” Depending on the state, this means restaurants can pay their servers as little as $2.13 an hour on the assumption that tips will make up the rest of their pay. Yes, really. Tips are the bulk of their income.

That young person who brings out your steak and refills your tea? They literally depend on your tip to help them pay rent.

This is where I pull out my soapbox; as a Christian, this is an issue I feel strongly about.

A Conversation I’ll Never Forget

Several years ago, a devoted Christian friend, one who was also a server at a popular local restaurant, shared something that’s stuck with me ever since.

She told me no one ever wanted to work the Wednesday night closing shift.

Why?

Because every week a large group from a local church would come in minutes before closing. They’d order big meals, linger over their food, make demands long after closing, and then leave without tipping.

Like I said, this wasn’t a one-time thing. It happened week after week.

Everyone at the restaurant knew exactly which church these people came from, and that church’s reputation took a serious hit. Even worse, their bad behavior hurt the reputation of Christians in general.

That was when my friend taught me a phrase I’ve never forgotten: “Church People”

It’s what the servers she worked with called “Christians” who showed up with entitled attitudes and left no tips. Some even “preached” to their servers about Jesus, but they didn’t act much like Him.

A Higher Standard

The world will do what the world is going to do. I get it.

But Christians are called to a higher standard.

When I hear someone who claims to follow Jesus say, “I only tip if I get exceptional service,” it makes my stomach turn. It’s a good thing God doesn’t hand out grace using that standard!

If we want others to see Jesus in us, we must walk like Him. We should be the kindest, most generous, most appreciative customers in the building.

Yes, even if the service is slow.

Even if the food isn’t great.

Even if we’re hangry.

It is possible to deal with issues in love rather than entitlement.

Because our witness isn’t just about the right religious words coming out of our mouths. It’s about how we treat people, all people.

So… Please…

If you’re going to be rude and demanding…

If you’re going to skip the tip…

Don’t tell your server you’re a Christian.

Don’t write a Bible verse on the receipt.

Don’t wear your Christian t-shirt to the restaurant.

Don’t ruin your witness over a few dollars.

Let’s do better.

Let’s not be known as “church people,” but as people who show the love of Jesus one generous tip at a time.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

Tip Challenge:
The next time you eat out, leave your server an extra generous tip just because you can,
and say a prayer for them as you lay it on the table.

Wake up, Church! The Alarm Has Already Sounded

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Imagine you’re the boss of a large company and one day while walking around the jobsite you discover some of your employees asleep. Perhaps you’re a merciful person and, after waking them up and warning them not to repeat the offense, you move on.

But they don’t stop taking naps while they’re supposed to be working.

Someone else catches them at it again, sleeping right out in the open as if it were perfectly acceptable and they had no reason to be concerned about anything. But once more they get off with a warning.

Then a day comes when something goes wrong in their area and a raging fire breaks out. Perhaps it happens because of their inattention, perhaps not. Regardless, they’re so sound asleep they never hear any alarms, never have a clue until it’s too late, and they perish.

Because they were asleep.

Does it sound like something from a movie script? Maybe, but I’m sure similar things have occurred. Probably more than once. If, like me, you happen to live surrounded by chemical plants, you know what I mean. I’ve heard stories all my life.

I was thinking about one such story this morning and, as He often does, the Holy Spirit led me in a spiritual direction. Consider the same scenario…not in a company, but in the Church.

I thought about those sleeping employees and how they had been lulled into complacency. I mean, if you’re obviously sleeping on the job and not trying to hide it, you must feel like such behavior is ok. Why? Who did you see doing the same thing? Have you convinced yourself you’re above the rules? Or have you just stopped paying attention?

The truth is, we see the very same thing happening in the Church today. I’m not talking about sleeping in the pews; yes, this happens but is nowhere near as dangerous as what I’m referring to. I’m talking about the large percentage of the Church that has been lulled into complacency and is asleep on the job.

How many think they’ve “got it covered” just because they showed up? They fill their pews on Sunday morning and believe that’s good enough. But it’s not!

Romans 13:11 (NKJV) warns us,

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”

In Revelation 3:1-3, to the church at Sardis Jesus says,

“…I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead… Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain…”

And in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 we see the clear warning,

“Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.”

Complacency is from the devil. I mean that literally. God leads us in peace. The devil can’t copy peace. The closest he can get is complacency, and he uses it skillfully. He distracts the Christian from what he needs to be doing, encourages him to get comfortable, and drapes a shroud of complacency over him to lull him to sleep.

When I had that thought this morning, alarm bells went off: The Ten Virgins!

In sharing this parable in Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus made it clear that we can’t be complacent. In verse 13, He says,

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

Unlike the five foolish virgins, we must be prepared so that we’re ready to move the instant we hear the alarm. The consequences of failure in the parable were huge to those women.

And they can be huge to us.

The parable of the ten virgins has long been thought to be a reference to the Rapture of the Church, a warning that we must stay prepared if we don’t want to miss that call. Those who study End Time prophecy are well aware that Jesus’ return is unimaginably close, especially given the most recent events in the Middle East.

Don’t let the devil drape you in complacency. Put on the cloak of a warrior and stand up. Keep your eyes on our Lord and go where He leads.

Stay in the Word, stay in prayer, and keep sharing Jesus with everyone you can. Pray for the salvation of those around you. Yes, even pray for your enemies. God doesn’t want anyone to go to Hell, and neither should we.

2 Peter 3:9

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise… but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

1 Timothy 2:3-4

“…God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Don’t let complacency be your downfall.
Stay awake. Stay prepared. Stay in step with the Spirit.
The time is short – and Eternity doesn’t wait.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C