Lord of Loose Ends
When we say, “I am at loose ends,” what we are really saying is that we have lost focus of our purpose and objectives. Insecurities and anxieties generally drive us to tighten our grip on control. That is a dangerous spot to be. The Lord never intended for us to be in control. The more we give away control of our time, talent, and treasure, the more the Lord can multiply the impact of our lives. Jesus is our example. He had the margin to be interrupted by anyone. Someone described the life of Jesus as a constant series of interruptions. He was not distracted by stuff; he owned nothing for Himself.
It is the Lord alone who has the right to take charge of our lives. I Corinthians 6:19b-20a says, “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price…” It is a power struggle. The human tendency is to want to exercise our will and manipulate God. We ask God to achieve our goals and organize circumstances for our convenience. The Lord does not engage with us at that level.
Instead, God asks us to do something we cannot do except by faith and with the power of the Holy Spirit. We are asked to reach at least one level beyond where we can stretch on our own so we know the Holy Spirit is involved. Without faith, without risking something for God, it is impossible, not improbable, but impossible to please Him. Hebrews 11:6And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. It is risky business not to please Him. It is risky business not to risk something for God.
Prayerfully engage with God to do something big; something you cannot do on your own. He asks us to give Him our burdens, our hopes and our dreams for a better world. Psalm 55:22Cast your burden on the Lord—He will support you! See if he is not good to multiply your efforts 30, 60, 100X, maybe by 5000. Matthew 13:23he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. For indeed we have a big God! See for yourself how the Lord can use you by engaging in conversation to find options that are surprisingly well suited to you. Register or login at missionnext.org
Nelson Malwitz, Founder
Nelson projects himself as the generic Evangelical baby-boomer. Born in 1946, he was raised in NJ in a Christian family. He holds an MS degree in Chemical Engineering and served in positions of R&D in American industry for 33 years. Nelson is an inventor and has formal training in methods of creative problem-solving. In 1976 he was city co-chairman of a Here’s Life America Campaign in CT. He was a founding elder at Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, CT (1982) and served in many leadership capacities of what is now one of the largest Evangelical churches in New England. In 1998 Nelson founded the Finishers Project, now MissionNext. Nelson also serves as an on-line missionary with Global Media Outreach. Locally he attends a Torah study and is chairman of the sewer commission to work with the unchurched.
Ademuyiwa of Aurora, Colorado wrote:
I find your comments in “Lord of the Loose Ends” quite encouraging personally. There are seasons in our lives when one is so terribly battered emotionally to a point that any interruption translates to a “major distraction”. By this, I refer to your comment that Jesus has the margin to be interrupted by anyone–He is our example. True indeed!!!
There is a great need to ask for emotional healing at such times. Many a time we are in denial of what our great need is before God. In essence, my point is that one has to be “of a sound mind” before that one makes ready for God to multiply the impact of one’s life. I want God to show me and I am asking Him to help me by His Holy Spirit to fully submit to Him.
Thank you brother Nelson. I found your website in a devotional published by Dr. David Jeremiah. It’s amazing how God puts his family together.
I have been wrestling Cancer on chemo. I know not how or when He knows. Anywhere He wants me to go is where I want to be. May God continue His ministry through us!