So much seems to press upon us in our daily living that "taking the long view" may not only be remote but considered impractical and therefore shelved. A thousand years equals one day and one day equals 1,000 years. It all sounds so mystical and unscientific! Do you mean we have to rethink being captains of our own ships? That is so basic to the American way and you are suggesting we give it up? After all, we can accomplish anything we set out to do — that is if we just try hard enough. Planning is done and realizable results in a given time frame are necessary.
Well, as some of us have learned, God does not see things and people the way we do. Whether it is Jesus' first or second coming, it happens on God's terms. I have heard it said some have been greatly disappointed he chose the particular time he did to bring his Son into the world. Why couldn't that have happened in time and space that was not nearly as male-oriented, even dominated? Equality of the sexes, especially in religion, could have thrived at a different time and place. Why didn't he return to us during the Second World War or some other cataclysmic moment in history? But he didn't.
Focus
We must seek to view things the way God does.
Body
1. Our God is before the beginning and after the ending.
As this soaks into our limited brains, we begin to have — at least — a clue to his bigness and our littleness. After all, aren't we supposed to do our measuring in starting and stopping points? To view life, especially cherished projects, in any other way is to ask for trouble. The boss sets goals and limits. We had better abide by them or, sooner or later, get fired. It really isn't going to help much to plead our case by maintaining, "But, God doesn't see it that way!" To live in a real world demands we adjust to the ways and means of the workaday world. Some people have to be kept happy, just for us to support our families. God may be God, but tell that to General Motors!
Questing of the sort the writer is speaking can be placed in a corner of the mind and never called upon again. It is labeled miscellaneous and perhaps even hurtful to one's progress. Before "the beginning and after the ending" is for a handful of philosophers to meditate upon. For John Q. Public and those primarily interested in "running the show" it is nothing more than unwanted stretching that goes no place. In truth the man or woman of faith is always more or less influenced by the idea presented. What appears to be so impractical must be considered for the health of our souls.
Could it be our real value and destiny are tied to the God who takes a view we cannot begin to measure? The words, "is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance" enter the picture. If he operated on our timetables, even our own salvation would be in jeopardy. In revival meetings I used to hear as a boy fiery evangelists say — in effect — be born again here and now or run the risk of spending eternity in hell. Frankly, such words scared me half to death! Emotions ran high and the old-fashioned mourner's bench was in clear view. God had spoken and no other chance to come to terms with him would be given.
Even after retirement, patience is often in short supply. The grandeur of the Creator with all his omnipotence and omniscience begs to be heard and believed. There are competitors. If I live ten more years, how much money will I need? Will my children pay attention to me as I am restricted to a nursing home? All this grandeur stuff is fine but who is going to pay the bills? It seldom seems to occur to us that God is God and sooner or later he supplies our needs. We don't want to be dependent on anyone and that is understandable. Yet, if God has taken care of you for seventy, eighty, or even ninety years, won't he continue to do so? Are faith, hope, and love mere words that begin to dissolve as we get so old? The text says, "regard the patience of our Lord as salvation."
2. Our God created time and therefore is master of it.
This thought can be life-changing! To begin to probe an infinite mind that knows no beginning and ending and — in fact — creates what we understand as time itself has a jarring effect. In a way it is much like a spectacular trauma carrying the revelation of God's greatness clearly exceeding our boundaries. Adjustments to this can be a conversion experience. Our measuring sticks tend to become laughable, as we get a peak at the long view. Clocks and all time pieces seem so trivial; yet we know we must cling to them in order for our brief life on this earth to go on.
To look into the heavens with the psalmist and worship God the Father who gave us Jesus the Christ in the form of a baby strains our ability to articulate. That foremost of all babies became a part of time that God created. It is as though he utilizes his powers in such a way that Jesus becomes compliant to the Father's wishes. In still another way, the ages come together to provide humankind's Savior. It is enough to give us a headache, isn't it? It is as though God refuses to allow what he has created to get in the way of his Son's entrance. So, Mary is utilized with her permission to conceive and bear a child in time and yet out of time for he is the second part of the Eternal Trinity.
Regardless of the period in which we are born, live, and die, the long view soon catches up with us. We eventually recognize we are "dust and shall return to dust." We also are alerted to an undying soul, created by the Almighty, that has life beyond our measurements. God set the perimeters. Then we discover he is Master, regardless of time or lack of it. For the Christian this is very comforting because we can rest in the assurance love is at work, especially in the birth, death, and resurrection of the Christ. Our hope is in the everlasting love of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our souls are worth more to God than we can comprehend.
The persistence and consistence of such a view envelops both the good and evil. Struggle as we may, this Creator is at every turn. Our calling is to be found "without spot or blemish." Our free will, also given by him, is exercised and hopefully in ways that promise an eternal home. If it seems we are being crushed by all of this, in a way we are. Nevertheless, our assurance is found in him who goes to prepare a place for us. If a place is prepared for us, then he will come again and take us unto himself. Mystery in all of this comes and goes. We are able to see in a mirror dimly. What more can we ask? Our destiny is at stake and who better to trust than the God who created time and is master of it? As we struggle less and appreciate more, our death becomes powerfully positive.
3. Our God yearns for his children to catch a glimpse of his all-knowing powers.
The Almighty allows you and me the freedom to explore his greatness. We seem often afraid of all of this and end up either in predestination or license! Nevertheless, the windows of opportunity come and go, as we live out our lives. Each and every moment of the day (night) provides something or someone to aid us in a partial understanding of not only the creative process but of salvation history as well. Of course, we have to be alert and sensitive. This may or may not mean the disruption of our vocations and professions. The point is the ongoing availability of potential discovery in all our lives.
Just where is Jesus the Christ in all of this? Well, if God comes to us in flesh and blood in the person of Mary's baby, then he has a great deal to say. Our Lord's birth, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension all enable us to catch a special glimpse. The privileges herein are remarkable for those who profess his name and seek to live by his commandments. In fact, they are unlimited! When we are ready to give up in attempting to make sense of life (and death), where do we go? We go to Rabbi Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit the needed understanding of the Father's will and ways are forthcoming. That does not necessarily mean clarity and specificity. It does mean an abiding presence that motivates us forward and upward.
Debates have raged for centuries about God's action or lack of action. As we live longer and are more absorbed in the Christian faith, I believe there is a certain peace that settles in. We hope we can live one more day but are thoroughly convinced we are not going to live 1,000 years in this life. In our twenties with — major and miraculous — medical advances we thought ten centuries was a possibility! I do not view this as resignation. If it is, it is a special type of succumbing to who and what God was, is, and shall be. Cynicism may rear its weighty head, but for those rooted and grounded in the faith, this is passing. The Father of our Savior and Lord will do whatever he chooses to do — whether it suits our fancy or not.
It seems to me the nature of God is such that we sooner or later pick up the truth that he seeks to woo us to him. Some would say this is a weakness and wishful thinking. It is put in the category of him laughing and crying. Perhaps such people would much rather deal with a first cause that simply does not communicate with his creatures. This denies the humanity of the one who created all of us and comes to us in the person of a baby, born of a woman. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock" is not an empty phrase that depicts a human god, devoid of any real power. It is a cardinal illustration of someone whose vast powers tell us there is providential care and concern, coming to us in a form we can understand.
4. Our God knows us thoroughly and totally, but respects our free will.
We are to "strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish." Striving means it is definitely — to some extent — our doing. Our spiritual formation in the likeness of Christ may very well be a gift but our cooperation is imperative. God does not force his will upon us. In the end, of course, his will is done but let that not be a means to shove responsibility and even authority aside in our pilgrimage. As we, clergy and laity, labor to become more like our master, there is a certain grace that appears. It is as though our destiny is determined by the cooperation of God and man. Give thanks!
A real shocker is forthcoming as it dawns upon us the truth of the Creator's omniscience. Our privacy becomes non-existent. All that we do, say, and think is seen by the one who gave us life. For some this comes early in life and for others quite late. Then, I suspect for some it never comes at all. That is of tragic proportions! What do you mean there is some god out there who knows everything about me? That is sheer nonsense! Well, we know in the deepest part of our beings this is not all nonsense. The everlasting one who put us together in our mother's womb knows everything about us from conception. Is that something that should cause us to be in constant fear? Perhaps the best answer is: only if we belligerently insist on our unenlightened ways.
I am among those who find great comfort in God's knowledge of me. In that approach I discover his love and power coming together for my own good. Do I want it any other way? Frankly, the answer is, "No." There is grand joy. Only the one God of us all has the stature for this. Turn your imaginations loose and ponder a different arrangement. Are you willing to be tossed to and fro by elements and spirits? Are you really the captain of your own ship? In our prayers it helps to put in the beginning words which are obvious. Lord, you know all about me. Once this is unequivocally admitted, prayers take on the clothes of universal and personal reality. We know where we stand!
In the "long view" how much should others know about us? Having dealt with God's complete information bank on us, there is this related question. The sheer fact of the matter is that we are seen many ways by many people. How we perceive God's assessment of us may be tied to what we think others think of us. Wow, that is a conundrum of major proportions! I am reminded of a brother minister who maintains his next appointment is based on about half what he thinks of himself and half what others think of him. There is substantial wisdom here but in the "long view" it leaves little or no room for God. The quicksand becomes manifest, as we enter our prayer closets for extended periods of time. Then and there the Spirit of the Living God helps us to sift and sort.
Summary And Conclusion
This view is one of coming to terms with the way our Judeo-Christian background has informed our journey. From the inspiration of the psalms to the promises of the one who called himself the Son of Man, and abiding truth emerges. It has a way of explaining both our Lord's first and his second coming. In all cases it has to do with "holiness and godliness." Our hope is encompassed in an eternal love that can give us untold joy, as generations pass. No one is above this view and in one way or another all are ultimately subjected to it. There is a call for celebration not because we emerge as people of hope but as the Holy One reveals himself both as God and man.
All of this leaves us with more open doors than we can possibly enter. It is not lack of opportunity to come to grips with this; it is virtually too much which strains our often impotent powers. The fixing of this understanding to take the "long view" is maybe the most crucial and relevant doctrinal principle that waits to be fully received. Its benefits are too numerous to mention. Perhaps to make the mistake of not wholeheartedly accepting it is akin to splashing in the Pacific Ocean alone, shouting your independence. Today can very well be a brand new beginning because, at last, we have seen the light of his mercy, love, and never-ending powers. Humility of heart and mind should very well carry today and all the tomorrows.