Now Think On This
Steve Martin
“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NASU)
When I got on the uptown Charlotte, NC office building elevator the other day for work, starting at the bottom floor of course, as usual I pressed the UP button for the 16th floor. Except for the very top floor, the penthouse as some would call it, the office I did my accounting job at was located up there.
Riding the elevator every day, from Monday-Friday is OK, but having done it now for over three years can make it rather monotonous. And then if I go out for lunch to the nearby city park with my bag of leftovers (most days) or make a bank deposit run (part of the routine), it is up and down several times a day.
The first couple of years working here wasn’t too bad, as the steel, brick and mortar building was only occupied about half full with other office personnel, also using the elevator. Generally one or two stops on the ride didn’t impede your movement too much. Typically within a minute or so you got to where you needed to go.
But as the economy somewhat picked up here in the USA, and there was an ongoing effort to relocate businesses to the Charlotte center city (from locally, around the state, nationally or internationally) the vacant floors started filling up with new organizations. Which had employees. Which meant more stops on the elevator. Annoying.
If I was to stop and count how many times I rode this mechanical machine (thank the Lord we don’t have to walk the stairs, except for the semi-annual fire drill, going down those 16 flights), I would calculate I have ridden it up and down at least 3,753 times by now. Yes, a lot of times. (Too bad I don’t wear a FitBit. I could accumulate a lot of mileage. Except that I really don’t take too many steps in the process, so it wouldn't count anyway.)
So on Thursday, when I got on the elevator to make the flight upward, several other people got on with me. Knowing that I of course would be the last one off, my brain, and attitude, immediately went to the fact that there would be some other floor stops along the way.
Then I heard Him speak quietly but firmly to me. “If I want to wait for others to get on board, to take them up, why are you inconvenienced by that?”
I knew what He was talking about. It shut me up real quick.
The Lord Jesus’ heart is so big that He extremely desires that none would perish. He calls out to all, through His Holy Spirit, to come to Him. Salvation from sin, rest for their souls, and eternity in heaven would await them. He loves mankind so much that His abundant patience overflows continually for them. And us.
Yeshua's sacrificial death on the rugged cross, followed by His glorious resurrection from the dead, fully reveals His immense love He has for His creation in all the nations. He went “out of His way” to do so. He is calling us to do the same – to be a touchpoint for Him on this earth.
As The Message Bible version puts it, a rendition of the same verse as used at the beginning of this little message, “God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.” (2 Peter 3:9)
In these days of darkness, salvation is to be found only in the Messiah Jesus, Yeshua HaMashiach. Whatever it takes to be an instrument of His message, we can count it a privilege to do so. Our patience must become as His.
And if the elevator stops on the way to pick up one more person, let it be so Lord. Count me in to wait for them too.
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People. Inc.
See!
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Now Think On This #202 “The Elevator” by Steve Martin
Date: In the year of our Lord 2015 (11.06.15) Friday at 5:15 am in Charlotte, NC
All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This
I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve
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