Morning Meditation – Process vs. Production
Morning Meditation with George Hutchings
Process or Production
1 John 1:5 “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (NKJV)
Recently, the United States, and quite possibly all of the world, celebrated Halloween. People dressed as ghosts and goblins paid a type of homage to the dead. And not like loved ones who are missed, but the death of decayed bodies with horribly disfigured faces and limbs. There is often nothing in the celebration that praises our God. We are reminded by John that God is a god of light and not darkness. There is absolutely NO DARKNESS in Him.
However, in many neighborhoods Halloween is also a light way neighbors touch neighbors with their kids and enjoy community. There may be nothing sinister to it. But our verse indicates there is a life more sinister than dressing up and collecting candy from neighbors.
In Philippians, the scripture says, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13, NIV). God gives us work to do on Earth and we are to be careful to accomplish it.
This scripture teaches us the process is important, lest–as Paul said—”that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27, KJV). John tells us, “if we say that we have fellowship with (God), and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (1 John 1:6, NKJV).
Major League Baseball player Mark McGuire was once celebrated for hitting home runs. Upon hitting his 61st home run he said, “This assures that one day my bat will lay down alongside the bat of Roger Maris.” That hasn’t happened because McGuire cheated by taking steroids to enhance his power. He would never enter the Hall of Fame with Roger Maris and Babe Ruth and other baseball greats because he sacrificed production for the process.
I’ll never forget his face after hearing he had cheated. He looked like he’d lost his best friend. Fans’ cheers became tears of rejection. All his training, work, sweat, and effort were erased.
Another baseball great, Pete “Charlie Hustle” Rose also cheated. No one has come close to his 5,000 base hits. But he traded Hall of Fame status by betting on baseball. The process was more important than the production.
God has a work for us to do on Earth. At the end there are rewards for Christians. Paul reminds us, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race I have kept the faith; Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8, NKJV). So, we are to work out our salvation with “fear and trembling” that we might accomplish our work and not lose our reward through illegal or unethical activities.
Halloween can be a light social reminder not to walk in darkness but in the light. And, it also reminds us that God offers an eternal treat—a treat that is given for walking in His Light.
Contact us if you’d like to have George speak at your church or ministry organization. Email George at georgehutchings@heronfund.org. Or, donate through www.JuanitaSchoolKenya.org; by text to 801801, by Venmo @HeronFund (JuanitaSchoolKenya), or via check by mail to Juanita School at PO Box 425, Cottleville, MO 63338.
George Hutchings, Co-Founder and President
Juanita School for Girls, Jungle Kenya
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