Saturday, November 4, 2023

Reflection - Called to Journey - Questions for Life's Quest

Source (book): "Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Chapter 1, "Questions for Life's Quest", Page 13.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


 Many students get very busy at the end of the year.
PHOTO: Many students get very busy at the end of the year. It is time for exams that they are told will determine the course of their lives. These important exams are often drenched (soaked) with the perspiration of anxiety, both of the students and their nervous parents.

Many students, trying to predict the questions in their forthcoming exams, pore (look and study very carefully) through books containing exam questions from past years with model answers. If they had predicted them correctly and prepared themselves adequately, things would be smooth sailing. If not, it would be nail-biting despair.

Life is like this in many ways, is it not? The important questions we face can determine our well-being and even our destiny. But truth be told, the preaching in church about these matters can be rather thin. Or sometimes, like badly or hastily written model answers, they are grossly off the mark.

Scripture teaches that "we will all stand before God's judgement seat" and that "each of us will give an account of ourselves to God" (Romans 14:10, 12). There will be some form of assessment of our lives on earth - an exam, if you like. In their busy lives, people often forget this truth. I have noticed that often, people begin to seriously think about the approaching "mother of all exams" only when they hear the bell indicating the final lap of their race. Some try to cram (study intensively) for it. Even there, huge mistakes can be made.

In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus talks about the "final exam" in two places - chapters 7 and 25. In the first text, He describes people who had read the wrong books. They gave correct answers to the questions they had prepared for, but alas, they were the wrong questions. These questions were not asked. Nevertheless, like anxious students they answered the questions that were never asked, hoping perhaps to impress God with their answers.

Jesus declared that "not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Some of His keen listeners (and readers down the ages) may have quickly concluded (correctly to a point) that getting into heaven has less to do with how you talk, and more to do with how you walk. Not what you have learned to say but what you have learned to do. In their mind they would have quickly drawn up a list of actions that would look good on their CV. Now that they had a hint, they would have gleefully predicted the questions that would be asked in heaven.

Jesus quickly shook them out of their imaginary exams. He said, "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?" (Matthew 7:22). Those listeners may have started congratulating themselves for predicting the question correctly. But notice that these questions were never asked. They offered answers to questions that did not actually appear in the script. They thought that Jesus would commend these answers. But what Jesus said would have shocked them. "Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matthew 7:23). They had obviously prepared for the wrong kind of exam.

The other text in Matthew 25 reveals what the "final exam" might be like. If Jesus does ask a question, it might be something along the lines of: "What did you do for the least of these brothers of mine?" He would point to those who had been in great need and often neglected in the world - the hungry, thirsty, sick, lonely, imprisoned, poor, and marginalised. In fact, in the text, no questions are asked. Instead, Jesus makes statements that sound like verdicts. You gave me food and drink, you invited me in, you looked after me . . . Come, you who are blessed. Where is the exam then?

The truth in these texts that should disturb us are these. First, the exam would have already ended the moment you stepped into the exam hall. An employer who wanted to hire honest employees planted some "lost" money in the waiting room and watched, through a closed-circuit TV, what each applicant did. All, except one, helped themselves to the money. Only the honest man got the job. There was no interview. Those who had dressed up and were all prepared to impress the employer were surprised to be told that they didn't get the job.

Second, even if it is not your talk but your walk that counts, you may still get it all wrong. Sometimes, what is celebrated as spiritual may not impress God. What is sensational in church may not impress heaven. In fact, in Matthew 25, those who were commended were not even aware that their simple acts of compassion had pleased Christ.

Which brings me to the third point: the heart of the matter is not what you say or even what you do, but how you relate with Christ. "I do not know you," Jesus said to those who thought they knew Him. As for those who were commended, however, their response showed that their attention was on their relationship with Christ, so much so that their lives showed the difference. They were not performing but enjoying their relationship with Christ. Their primary concern was in the right place.

The "final exam" is not in the future. It is now. Christ's questions will not be asked then, but they are being asked now. Often, we live our lives in response to the questions that are being asked by the world. What is your job? How much do you earn? Where do you live? What car do you drive? What do your children do? The questions are different in the exam that ultimately matters. They are not asked by earth, but by heaven. Beware wrong and seductive questions (see Genesis 3:1). Rather, let your life's quest be guided by the questions that will not be asked in some distant future, but are being asked daily - by God. In the innermost recesses (small spaces) of your heart.


Many students get very busy at the end of the year. It is time for exams that they are told will determine the course of their lives. These important exams are often drenched (soaked) with the perspiration of anxiety, both of the students and their nervous parents.

Many students, trying to predict the questions in their forthcoming exams, pore (look and study very carefully) through books containing exam questions from past years with model answers. If they had predicted them correctly and prepared themselves adequately, things would be smooth sailing. If not, it would be nail-biting despair.


 Many students get very busy at the end of the year.
PHOTO: Many students get very busy at the end of the year. It is time for exams that they are told will determine the course of their lives. These important exams are often drenched (soaked) with the perspiration of anxiety, both of the students and their nervous parents.
Picture posted by Hemali Chhapia on 01 April 2015 at 06:25 pm IST
https://etimg.etb2bimg.com/photo/46605160.cms
https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/four-universities-to-study-genetics-of-two-mental-health-disorders/46605147


Life is like this in many ways, is it not? The important questions we face can determine our well-being and even our destiny. But truth be told, the preaching in church about these matters can be rather thin. Or sometimes, like badly or hastily written model answers, they are grossly off the mark.

Scripture teaches that "we will all stand before God's judgement seat" and that "each of us will give an account of ourselves to God" (Romans 14:10, 12). There will be some form of assessment of our lives on earth - an exam, if you like. In their busy lives, people often forget this truth. I have noticed that often, people begin to seriously think about the approaching "mother of all exams" only when they hear the bell indicating the final lap of their race. Some try to cram (study intensively) for it. Even there, huge mistakes can be made.


 In their busy lives, people begin to seriously think about the approaching 'mother of all exams' only when they hear the bell indicating the final lap of their race.
PHOTO:  In their busy lives, people begin to seriously think about the approaching "mother of all exams" only when they hear the bell indicating the final lap of their race. Some try to cram (study intensively) for it. Even there, huge mistakes can be made.
Picture posted by Depositphotos
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XvkJ9BFBorn7TrzAoxNRUjkdr8phiXLIN4kWh4Ss1-jfkoUHjLFHclHQomSh6BltVUIv6CwYMK9Pj4yduGC4hSpIdpL61G8-R1hwlJ8Iy9yEJdJYu1DaFLLRVnhhKyvKfYHV4Z6sq8cU5xVkgAa5SY9MiauIJOsZQyhSMsaGVW4vxJVlrK0x7b2bDE8/s1200/depositphotos_3362056-stock-photo-business-woman-rushing-800x1200.jpg
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https://depositphotos.com/photo/business-woman-rushing-3362056.html


In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus talks about the "final exam" in two places - chapters 7 and 25. In the first text, He describes people who had read the wrong books. They gave correct answers to the questions they had prepared for, but alas, they were the wrong questions. These questions were not asked. Nevertheless, like anxious students they answered the questions that were never asked, hoping perhaps to impress God with their answers.

Jesus declared that "not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Some of His keen listeners (and readers down the ages) may have quickly concluded (correctly to a point) that getting into heaven has less to do with how you talk, and more to do with how you walk. Not what you have learned to say but what you have learned to do. In their mind they would have quickly drawn up a list of actions that would look good on their CV. Now that they had a hint, they would have gleefully predicted the questions that would be asked in heaven.


 Jesus describes people who had read the wrong books.
PHOTO: Jesus describes people who had read the wrong books. They gave correct answers to the questions they had prepared for, but alas, they were the wrong questions. These questions were not asked. Nevertheless, like anxious students they answered the questions that were never asked, hoping perhaps to impress God with their answers.
Picture posted by Paul Ellis on 02 August 2010
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXO8uYJAImi_whh7aMGPNRyRmNJ5W3Q7Sz2mKLOHYSpeGORaXvSWpsVSfWDSPLx05UZYhjOx2uIXaq-zgiNho8Mc_saabNhqvBE1yBEDIy8U4QXeZzI-IkjGS_f7RcVb09v23ZMVUmufbPsUFVRSSDCLUb8von4WtAYNwtd5o9zm6TIh8_4LVJfGDaUMc/s1200/job_1_1.png
https://escapetoreality.files.wordpress.com/2023/05/job_1.png
https://escapetoreality.org/2010/08/02/does-god-give-and-take-away/#prettyPhoto


Jesus quickly shook them out of their imaginary exams. He said, "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?" (Matthew 7:22). Those listeners may have started congratulating themselves for predicting the question correctly. But notice that these questions were never asked. They offered answers to questions that did not actually appear in the script. They thought that Jesus would commend these answers. But what Jesus said would have shocked them. "Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matthew 7:23). They had obviously prepared for the wrong kind of exam.

The other text in Matthew 25 reveals what the "final exam" might be like. If Jesus does ask a question, it might be something along the lines of: "What did you do for the least of these brothers of mine?" He would point to those who had been in great need and often neglected in the world - the hungry, thirsty, sick, lonely, imprisoned, poor, and marginalised. In fact, in the text, no questions are asked. Instead, Jesus makes statements that sound like verdicts. You gave me food and drink, you invited me in, you looked after me . . . Come, you who are blessed. Where is the exam then?


 They offered answers to questions that did not actually appear in the script.
PHOTO: They offered answers to questions that did not actually appear in the script. They thought that Jesus would commend these answers. But what Jesus said would have shocked them. "Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matthew 7:23).
Picture posted by Steve Patterson on 30 September 2015
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54O98PIU-nCCfFbmMUoxT-mkuwZyXUH81bdq_pZE61lZHIo2X3sKxJxF8RViq-_jhIE9xqvE-hDyiEiwtIqzxm5cKLmmSQ-nJlZ-t__ZUAuB29JXykqZlIuc3qNzlRO22NbFHkZKxkAPOaM2dfWMP7YnAAiryvc6COVoehmkS9Nb4QEIUcqtA3lDPSRQ/s600/DepartfromMe.webp
https://i0.wp.com/www.courageouschristianfather.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/DepartfromMe.jpg
https://www.courageouschristianfather.com/the-scariest-saddest-words-in-the-bible/#axzz8I5X650fD


The truth in these texts that should disturb us are these. First, the exam would have already ended the moment you stepped into the exam hall. An employer who wanted to hire honest employees planted some "lost" money in the waiting room and watched, through a closed-circuit TV, what each applicant did. All, except one, helped themselves to the money. Only the honest man got the job. There was no interview. Those who had dressed up and were all prepared to impress the employer were surprised to be told that they didn't get the job.

Second, even if it is not your talk but your walk that counts, you may still get it all wrong. Sometimes, what is celebrated as spiritual may not impress God. What is sensational in church may not impress heaven. In fact, in Matthew 25, those who were commended were not even aware that their simple acts of compassion had pleased Christ.


 In Matthew 25, those who were commended were not even aware that their simple acts of compassion had pleased Christ.
PHOTO: In Matthew 25, those who were commended were not even aware that their simple acts of compassion had pleased Christ. Jesus makes statements that sound like verdicts. You gave me food and drink, you invited me in, you looked after me . . . Come, you who are blessed.
Picture posted in Pinterest
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiiiOAUno0LgyxX6Q-e0JHTafhzerE-Rulrzu0N6CjeTiX04_jkP4VfepazxwQ7KiQn88BDOlarVQVRWedPVQZt6w-qYOdTHcCiPAUHV163K_VWl5b-jWkQoNIvB8DxGzSf2mBsOxN2pwNPhl7khOYQyZa5ib7vzXpG-Ch9rKoaoULc5mpMRT3XcA4Lk/s1116/48b4c133e0eac2a5499e894e3624bc34.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/48/b4/c1/48b4c133e0eac2a5499e894e3624bc34.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/6755468183574226/


Which brings me to the third point: the heart of the matter is not what you say or even what you do, but how you relate with Christ. "I do not know you," Jesus said to those who thought they knew Him. As for those who were commended, however, their response showed that their attention was on their relationship with Christ, so much so that their lives showed the difference. They were not performing but enjoying their relationship with Christ. Their primary concern was in the right place.


 The heart of the matter is not what you say or even what you do, but how you relate with Christ.
PHOTO: The heart of the matter is not what you say or even what you do, but how you relate with Christ. Those who were commended, however, their response showed that their attention was on their relationship with Christ, so much so that their lives showed the difference. They were not performing but enjoying their relationship with Christ. Their primary concern was in the right place.
Picture posted by Words of Faith, Hope, Love on 30 June 2019
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXl_XpNDhpwCkiXPNbu2p2nLgUM50PktqO0uFN_Nc7IcTB5Gl_xTcXaICwFgctldMVS_vPplbvG17TlqE0RRK91nWputyCTI5-VqaGgn25MZW7uWWlV8bstkm4mbeYQn0KfbXEkhQ6uIN_7R8ucvSy8sCxLrwzBs30Nda40CA0hSHpJNgWcN95eCAzmY/s1024/how-to-love-God.png
https://i0.wp.com/www.wordsoffaithhopelove.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/how-to-love-God.png?w=1024&ssl=1
https://www.wordsoffaithhopelove.com/how-to-love-god-with-actions/


The "final exam" is not in the future. It is now. Christ's questions will not be asked then, but they are being asked now. Often, we live our lives in response to the questions that are being asked by the world. What is your job? How much do you earn? Where do you live? What car do you drive? What do your children do? The questions are different in the exam that ultimately matters. They are not asked by earth, but by heaven. Beware wrong and seductive questions (see Genesis 3:1). Rather, let your life's quest be guided by the questions that will not be asked in some distant future, but are being asked daily - by God. In the innermost recesses (small spaces) of your heart.
 

 The 'final exam' is not in the future.
PHOTO: The "final exam" is not in the future. It is now. Christ's questions will not be asked then, but they are being asked now. Often, we live our lives in response to the questions that are being asked by the world. The questions are different in the exam that ultimately matters. They are not asked by earth, but by heaven.
Picture posted by The Temple Church Of All Nations
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatcKqi4z1yGb45yXVrHBDPWwivVGibyUc2LG2GExpVqT8sQm_5LEXPMoJvkgCM38pYMVghF8O2mODZWtBElCJwkfH2Hx3lWxDNdOyWmGK2NUZ1dfwtu4Ch-wGmQVBpCnqjoB-iQBi7zmQnj-XNKjT0wmU-FswJfL0lyH1PTFLNxrfRqLgVWx1VQHaqvM/s809/df0aa437d18ab7be6387a4106e21fe8d.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/df/0a/a4/df0aa437d18ab7be6387a4106e21fe8d.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/50665564552092180/
 

 Dear Lord
PHOTO: Dear Lord, we pray that we understand that it is not what we say or even what we do, but how we relate with Christ that matters.
May we know that the 'final exam' is not in the future. It is now. Christ's questions will not be asked then, but they are being asked now. The questions are different in the exam that ultimately matters. They are not asked by earth, but by heaven.
May our life's quest be guided by the questions that will not be asked in some distant future, but are being asked daily - by God. In the innermost recesses of our heart.
Picture posted by Jesus is King 👑
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEAALk1v9WyQYM-VQaZLP4_sHGKzvfYk6-GrfxODYzD1sD9-dggnY1J9TXJ3U3qAepB7e29Rys_Riu1oqLUz7QBJSa3TOaY-QB2A39XFKio4wPaiNo3dIALfiljbYh0vSlNnY1M3sbHwsEZIRRlxuDkrZUqbbRZgpWiP5Bfh3erOXS6ZZ7rqHZ4tDbTo/s792/b0fbab5fd3a35adc8a8ef5e6077a3ce9.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/b0/fb/ab/b0fbab5fd3a35adc8a8ef5e6077a3ce9.jpg
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Reflection - Called to Journey - Questions for Life's Quest
Source (book): "Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Chapter 1, "Questions for Life's Quest", Page 13.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012



"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html
 
 
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html
 
 
"He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God",  © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Shelly Beach

 Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/08/reflection-he-walks-with-me-links.html
 

"Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries

Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 1 - 45 (Links), posted on 03 April 2023
Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 1 - 45 (Links), posted on 03 April 2023
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2023/04/reflection-classic-gem-chapter-1-45.html

 
"Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries

Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 46 - 90 (Links), posted on
Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 46 - 90 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 24 October 2023
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2023/10/reflection-classic-gem-chapter-46-90.html



Reference
[1] From "Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Copyright @ 2022 by Robert M. Solomon, Chapter 1, "Questions for Life's Quest", Page 13.

Links


New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


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