Buy now, pay later!

Nobody is perfect when it comes to finances, and we can all improve the way we spend our money. Of course we should not be tight and hold on to our money as if it were the ultimate protection shield to save us from any kind of crisis. On the other hand, we need a lot of wisdom and calculative sensitiveness on how to spend every single quid - it all adds up.

One thing which I never felt comfortable with is the way how it is possible in our western culture to spend even the money we don't (yet) have - and we are not talking about the "smaller" stuff here! We're talking about TV's, computers, cars and even houses that are bought with money that is not yet in our hands. Sign the contract - feel powerful! And don't bother reading the small print, just the usual formalities! Buy now - pay later!

Isn't it strange that in such cases, we will always end up paying more than the actual value of what we purchased in the first place? I am not intending to boycott today's methods of purchase and sale, but it made me think further.

When we see stuff in this life - even non-material things - that we really want to have, the last thing we need is an invisible, but tempting tag that comes with it: Buy now, pay later...

I do feel like rolling my eyes when I hear yet another sermon on "resisting the pleasures of this life", presented in a religious, dusty language, but this is about the real stuff in life! I have come to learn that, as I am not the most patient person on planet earth, I have often been in such a hurry to want certain things without bothering to think about the price plus interest - but sooner or later, I was being confronted with the contract I signed when getting the thing I wanted here and now.

Buy now, pay later... When your "later" becomes your "today", it is often a bitter pill to chew on, when you wish you could just swallow and get it out of the way. We can't change the past, but we can from now on choose to ask God for the wisdom and patience to rely on His timing for the things we desire.

Maybe we should ask ourselves:

Why do I want this particular thing so much? Why do I feel like I can't wait? Do I have the expectation to live a happier and more satisfied life if I am getting this thing now, which means: Do I rely on having this thing now for my happiness, instead of finding joy, peace and satisfaction in God's love?

The wall and the sledge hammer

As I sat in church some weeks ago, I had a conversation with God. I told Him about some circumstances that seem like a massive wall in my life at this time, blocking the way to bigger things I want to do with and for God. As I sat there, desperate and passionate at the same time, I said to God: "Lord, I am so desperate about this thing. This wall seems too big and strong and tall - I wish I could just take a sledgehammer and break it all down violently! I just want to move on and I don't want to wait any longer!"

Suddenly, before my inner eyes, the whole scene changed, as God was whispering His response into my heart.

"There is another way to get rid of this wall. And it is an even better way! If you let me, I will help you take this wall down, brick by brick, piece by piece. If you're using a sledgehammer, you will destroy all the bricks. But if you will work together with me, we will take this wall down, which will take a lot of energy and patience. But when we've done that, you will see that there is a rift right behind where the wall once stood! Then, we will use the bricks to build a bridge, a stable and strong one that you can walk over to cross the rift. But that is not everything - there will actually be other people who will be using the same bridge that you and I have built together!"

Sometimes, all we want is to escape the difficulties that seem to stand in our way, because it's just been too long, and this wall really looks so big! But if we allow God to take over, He will create something useful and very strong out of the very thing that seems to hold us back right now!

How does prayer work?

Don't we sometimes wonder, what prayer really does, if it works, and - if so - how? When our prayers are answered quickly, we don't take the time to think much about it. At times we might thankfully receive our answer, help or solution and praise God for it. But, if you are like me, many of your prayers won't be answered right away. And I am not saying that there is a way we can understand prayer fully or define it clearly. Most of all, it matters that our prayers are pointed to the right person, rather than the words we are using, or whether we are standing, sitting or kneeling. Jesus is a person, and He is the one our prayers are to be addressed to. Prayer is not a method or a religious ritual, it means "talking to God", basically. But prayer is more than mere conversation! It activates God to move on our behalf. If our lives belong to God and our hearts are genuine, He will do everything to work out the best for us. Prayer allows God to get involved in our lives and take over, and to answer the prayer in His way - which is always the best anyway - and His time. And God's timing is perfect. I have had times where I prayed for the same thing over and over again, without seeing a result. And I wondered: Does it make any difference at all, if I keep praying for this issue? Does God not listen? Sometimes, when we are praying, it's like cutting a key into the right and perfect shape to open an specific door. It's a process that can take many steps and quite a long time, depending on how complex the lock is. Some doors need brand-new keys because they were never opened before! As we keep praying without ceasing as the Bible says (1.Thessalonians 5:17), we don't always see the process with our human eyes because it's happening in the spirit! But our prayers do have an effect, and if what we are praying for is a) the will of God and b) good for us and / or others, we will one day hear God say: "My child, the key is ready! It has got the right shape now! I am putting it in the door for you, and all you need to do is use the handle - and the door will swing wide open!"

Faith needs expectancy!

Philemon 1:22 "And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers." 

When Paul writes these words to Philemon, he is behind prison bars, not the most pleasant place to be for a mighty man of God. For sure he must have felt limited or down at times, he didn't even have a TV, newspaper or anything else to entertain him there. But this statement that he makes here is quite amazing. Although his circumstances are not looking very positive, he puts faith into the prayers of his fellow brothers and sisters, and he hopes and expects to be released as the answer to their prayers. So, he asks them to prepare a guest room for when he is going to come. There is no place for "in case God doesn't move, what are we going to do then..." 

Faith doesn't have power if it's focused on chance, or on people, or feelings. But it is amazingly powerful when it's invested in God who created heaven and earth. And it becomes even more powerful if we are putting action and expectancy into it. We are doing our part, we are taking the first step, because we are expecting God to move and answer our prayers, and the prayers of others. This doesn't mean that we are trying to make things happen ourselves. But it shows God that we are counting on him, not just with our words or thoughts, but with our whole being. And it releases God to respond to our trust, and to move in power. 

Where does your faith need some expectancy added to it?