Salina church of Christ Fall Seminar

1646 N. 9th

Salina, Kansas 67401

Leadership Message

Waiting for Rain

 

Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.   Ecclesiastes 11:4

 

Those raised with agricultural backgrounds understand very well the truth of this proverb. There is a window of time during which crops must be sown to have sufficient growing season and there is a window in which they must be reaped before they spoil in the fields.

Weather is always a consideration, but at some point, the necessity to get the seeds planted or harvest the crops takes precedence. Those who are waiting for the perfect time will find themselves waiting until the time has passed and the work cannot be done.

It is the same way in life. The one who looks at the negative – the reasons why something cannot be done – will always find an excuse for failure. Those who are successful in life are generally those who grasp opportunities when they are presented and see obstacles as challenges to be overcome rather than justification for inaction.

Most successful people have overcome great challenges, from ill health to financial ruin, on the way to their final success. It is certain that God’s providence has a great deal to do with the amount of success we enjoy, but the axiom that God only helps those who help themselves is generally true when it comes to seizing opportunity.

Newton’s first law of motion says that an object will tend to stay at rest or continue at constant velocity unless acted upon by an unbalanced external force. We call that playing it safe.

Playing it safe, however, has not been the mission of those involved in the redemption of man. Abraham was told to leave his home and family to wander in Canaan. The children of Israel were told to leave the comparative safety of Egypt – there is a whole lesson in Exodus on the human desire to play it safe even when safety means persecution and slavery – for a land which they would have to conquer.

Jesus left glory to come to earth. The apostles left a nice, familiar existence as fishermen, tax collectors and other things to experience persecution and carry the gospel forward. Paul was a special case; he was called to leave friends, family, power and position in order to live a hand-to-mouth life preaching the gospel to the world.

They didn’t wait; they just went.

What are we waiting for?

By Jay Kelley

 

 

Jay Kelley is the evangelist for the Austin Street Church of Christ in Levelland, Texas. His e-mail is jaykelley5@yahoo.com. He  previously preached in Colby, KS.

For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

1Corinthians 2:2