Killing Me Softly with Oscillations

I hate hit-and-runs, mood swings, inconsistencies, pendulum swings, oscillations, and the likes. They simply drive me nuts. I'm talking about relationships here. . . .

I think relationships (whatever kind it may be) should be well-defined.  WYSIWYG. What you should see is what you should get. No reading in between the lines. No need for assumptions and analytics.

However, that usually isn't the case. And one of the most frustrating things for me is to be unable to tell a person how much these kinds of "uncertainties" wreak havoc to my peace and sanity.

The world is complex enough as it is. I wish people would just treat people the way they would actually want to treat a person no matter how good or bad that may be. I know that prim and proper behavior has its place in the scheme of things, and often, it does society much good. But sometimes, I wish people would just be true to other people and match their behavior with their feelings and vice-versa. (In case there’s something “wrong” and unacceptable about a particular thought, feeling, or behavior, well, then that’s a different matter completely and should be discussed some other time perhaps.) But, more than simply matching feelings and behaviors, all I’m saying here is that one should be consistent with how one treats someone and not fluctuate between extremes.

Consistency

"The questions are different, but each answer is the same.

What will guard us against foolish extremes?

What characterizes those who are habitually successful in sports or sales or some skill?

What single quality in a business builds respect deeper than any other?

What brings security in relationships?

What makes us choose a particular brand name over all others?

What’s needed most by parents in the home?

What draws you to the same restaurant time and again?

What do you want most from your paperboy… or milkman… or postman?

What will add more weight to your witness for Christ than anything else?

CONSISTENCY. That’s the answer to all nine questions, and you know it’s true. Steadiness. You can count on it. It’ll be there tomorrow just like it was yesterday… free from silly moods, sudden changes, or fickle fads. Early in the day or late at night, consistency stands firm. When pain or hardship bites, consistency doesn’t bleed. When the majority is tired and irritable, consistency is stable and resilient. Not insensitive, boring…but reliable, faithful. Not opposed to change or reason, but trustworthy. Not stubborn, but solid. Yes, that’s it: solid.

It’s the stuff most mothers are made of when their little ones get sick… and missionaries who lose themselves in their labor even though it yields limited fruit. It reveals itself in faithful employees who show up on time, roll up their sleeves, and commit themselves more to doing the job than watching the clock. Diligence is its brother… dependability, its partner… discipline, its parent.

CONSISTENCY. A living model of patience, determination, and strength—regardless of shifty rootless times. The blasts of ridicule and criticism may punch it in the face—but consistency stands and takes it as silently as a bronze statue takes the tempest. One poet calls it “a jewel,” another “an anchor of iron.” It knows little of ups and downs, highs or lows, blue Mondays or holiday hangovers. It hates tardiness and absenteeism. It thrives on sacrifice and unselfishness. It’s an obvious mark of maturity. It’s hanging in there day in and day out in spite of everything that could get you sidetracked.

In biblical terms, consistency is a subtle, supple thread woven into the fabric of scriptural truth. Paul had it in mind when he told Timothy to

…be ready in season and out of season… (2 Timothy 4:2);

and when he exhorted the Galatians

…let us not lose heart…for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary (Galatians 6:9)

James saw it as a stabilizing trait, which he called

…endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect… (James 1:3-4).

We are reminded that Abraham was consistent when it came to believing God’s promise to him, because

…he did not waver… (Romans 4:20).

But best of all,

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever (Hebrews 13:8)

One of the most attractive, magnetic characteristics of the Christ is His consistency. When you need Him, He is there. He’s there even when you don’t think you need Him!  You’re never too early or too late. He’s never is a lousy mood nor will He ask you to call back during office hours. He’s available… because He’s immutable. With Him, there’s no new year or old year. He is “the same,” regardless.

CONSISTENCY.

It’s the jewel worth wearing…

It’s the anchor worth weighing…

It’s the thread worth weaving…

It’s the battle worth weaving."

I decided to post this here since I've just felt a renewed appreciation for the word CONSISTENCY. I think more than anything else that's what I need from people, especially from those who I cross paths with. If applied and used as the word is defined, the world would be a much less complicated place. Relationships of all kinds would be far, far easier to handle. That would be a joy to me….

The Choice is Yours

Jesus is coming very, very, very soon.

. . . Whether you believe this truth or not doesn’t change the fact that IT IS TRUTH.

Yes, there is a God. Yes, Jesus is a part of that God-head, the Trinity (God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit). And yes, He will come again at the end of time (not too far away now . . . ). And yes, by then our cases would’ve have been decided individually–whether we will live eternally with Him or whether we will be eternally lost. There can be no changing of minds then . . .

Admit it or not, THERE ARE ONLY TWO SUPER POWERS IN THIS WORLD! Jesus (representing good, holy, and just) and satan (representing all that is evil). Whether you like or not, YOU will serve EITHER of these two masters. It can only be one or the other. If you determine not to choose Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then by default (whether you choose him or not), you automatically choose to be ruled by satan. If you say you choose "no one," well, then still, by default you still automatically choose to be ruled by satan. It’s either you actively and consciously choose Jesus, or you don’t choose Him at all and end up choosing satan.

Whom shall you choose as your master today?

. . . As for me (and hopefully our WHOLE household, too), I choose to be on Jesus’ side.

My prayer is that this will be my only choice EACH DAY for the rest of my life.

I pray that you will choose His side, too!