November 24

Day 255: Failure to Yield

When we read Revelation (more correctly titled, the Apocalypse) the tendency is to try to figure out the timelines while determining what has already happened, and what is yet to happen.

But John's visions of the end of time also include little windows for our edification. One such is chapter 6:9-10. "When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, 'O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?'"

These are presumably (okay, clearly) the martyrs of the faith, who died for the cause of Christ. They're crying out for justice and resolution to their sacrifice.

The response comes as, "Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been killed."

Apparently, there will be more. Of course, none of us are initially motivated to be part of that remaining list. And, the final stuff doesn't happen until all of the martyrs past, present and future are accounted for.

A martyr is someone, right or wrong, who willingly dies for a cause greater than self. In Revelation, it is someone who gave up their own self-protecting priorities, and ultimately their own precious life, because the Word of God and their witness to Jesus transcended themselves.

Too often in our present culture we do not see examples of those willing to look beyond themselves. It's almost like the current response to the question, "Are you God, or not?" is now open to debate. Good works are not ultimately good works, if the desired outcome is ultimately glory to self.

I re-read an old story this morning. A captain directing a warship through thick fog is met with a light straight ahead in the distance. The captain radios and says, "You must turn 30 degrees. The light in the distance responds with, 'No, you must turn 30 degrees!"

The captain of the ship responds with "I am an admiral in the United States Navy. Who am I speaking to?" "I am an ensign in the U.S. Coast Guard." "Then, I suggest you adjust your course!" "No, sir. I suggest you adjust yours." "We are a U.S. Navy warship. You adjust!" "We are a lighthouse," said the ensign.

God's Word tells us, not unclearly, that to live and flourish, we must adjust to the priorities of God, all of which are greater than ourselves.

An immature character asks life (and God) to meet his demands. But the mature character meets the demands of life (ultimately, God.)

A person of transformed gospel character possesses the awareness that it is not all about him or her, and the willingness to make the necessary adjustments to the things that transcend his or her own desires.

This is the ultimate battleground for the Christian. Will I, or will I not adjust to the commands and promises of God. Will I be willing to see beyond myself, and adjust to what brings glory to our God through Jesus Christ? Will I make His priorities my own?

The ones who do will adjust (even to their own demise) to that which transcends. The ones who do not we will see shipwrecked on the rocks below the lighthouse. Failure to yield.

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church Juneau