02/18/2017
Are you sleeping through the major opportunities and events in your life and faith? In doing so, do you regret and despair over lost opportunity? As we consider this today, let's also realize that the time we have to do these things is short and the timing of them unforgiving.
The best example of failing to seize the opportunity to do the great things at the moment of their rising is found in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus has gone there to pray and asks Peter and the two sons of Zebedee to stay awake and watch as He does so, but they fall asleep. They fail in their duty in this the moment when danger is its greatest and Jesus at His most vulnerable.
“Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.”
Matthew 26:38 KJV
When Jesus returns to where he left His disciples to watch over Him he finds them asleep, not once... not twice... but three times. In this night of danger, they fall asleep on guard. In most militaries, the penalty for sleeping on guard can be as great as death... and yet that is exactly what they did.
“And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?”
Matthew 26:40 KJV
Finally, in a final act of frustration and disappointment, Jesus says to them:
“Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”
Matthew 26:45 KJV
Then, realizing He was about to be captured He says to them...
“Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.”
Matthew 26:46 KJV
In this pivotal moment His disciples failed Him. How do you think they looked back on this night? Do you think they were disappointed in themselves? Do you think they felt regret? It would be my opinion that they lost much sleep over how they performed in the Garden.
The interesting point to make here, is that on this night Judas performed his duties perfectly. Often when we experience our greatest sense of failure it is when bad things happen, or evil prevails, because we were derelict in our duties. When evil triumphs because of our failure to act, we hold ourselves responsible... and rightly so.
This example is one we should never forget; it should strengthen us in our resolve to perform those things that must be done for the kingdom of God.
“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”
Hebrews 12:3 ESV
But we have lapses all the time, we fail to witness to someone and find out days later that they were at a critical point in their lives... one in which they teetered on the brink of a decision to do wrong... and we failed them. Or, we were told to do a certain thing that would have precluded something that caused great harm. It happens, and we are left with disappointment and regret. Those moments of opportunity are lost forever, and now we must live with the aftermath.
Fortunately for the disciples in Gethsemane, God's will was unfolding in dramatic fashion and their failure to perform was later seen to have been a part of that greater happening. However, we can't depend on our failures to be redeemed in such a fashion. We should be doing those things that God calls us to do with energy and determination.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:9-10 KJV
Remember, that although Judas played his part in God's plan perfectly, he suffered the consequences for it, and although the disciples' failure in Gethsemane was proven to have been part of God's greater will for Jesus and mankind... they suffered the regret as well.
We should seize the opportunity to do great things at the moment they present themselves. We should also do those things that are lesser as well, because we have no way of knowing when a small action will prove to have large consequences... when a little nap can lead to world changing events.
Prayer:
Father, strengthen me in my resolve to do those things that you ask of me. Let me be prompt and without procrastination in answering your call. You ask nothing of me that is frivolous and I should perform my duties as if my life depended on each one. Lord, if I should grow faint, strengthen me, if my resolve should waiver, encourage me, but if I should fail... forgive me Lord. In my success let me feel your joy, and in my failure let me learn from your correction. Always lead me forward to serve you in greater things and in a more perfect fashion. My aim is to serve you and please you always. Those tasks you ask me to perform, even towards my enemies, are meant to work for your good purposes, and I pray that you will always remind me of their importance, and my part in your plan... your will.
Rich Forbes