"It is "unthinkable" that legislation would not pass by end of week, White House says."
The Last Judgement... not for the American way of life... but reading/watching the news these days one would think Michelangelo's great work had jumped out of the Sistine Chapel and now cruises Wall St. stalking our banking system... waiting for a wrong... or even worse, a delayed decision.
Big expenditures- from buying a house, car or boat -it's hard to find a financial adviser who doesn't recommend taking your time, checking out all the options, looking for the best deal and talking it over with your family as you evaluate how hard it's going to hit the pocketbook versus a positive return. Interestingly enough, many nationally known financial guru's seem to ignore their own advice when it comes to the current crisis. Don't need to name names- you've probably read and seen them on TV just like I have as they talk up a plan, not even a week in the making that will be one of the largest financial expenditures in the history of humanity. A little bigger than a new home, car or boat.
The entire situation's reminded me of a simple lesson my old friend Ed Jones, Colonel in the USAF, retired... now with The Lord... as a member of our Pastor Management Team - when things would get tough - not uncommon occurrence in a church - he'd ask us to take a deep breath before making a big decision, to pray about it and tell the little story of the acrostic that helped keep his decision making balanced: H.A.L.T.
WWII, Korea and Vietnam- and a collection of other military actions -from props, to jets, to squadrons of B-52's, Ed had been in more tough spots than most of us will ever imagine. Even still, I can still hear him counsel me, as we struggled to meet Central Community's humble financial needs or stretched to do all we believed God created us to do... to H.A.L.T.
Never make a big decision when you're:
Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired
I've tried to remember these simple words. Too often I've failed to heed them and it's usually cost me. I miss Ed. He was one of the many people God's placed in my path to build, enrich and encourage me... he was a trusted adviser, great friend and brother in Christ. His witness speaks to me still. In his 60's, retired after serving his country for a lifetime with great distinction, he'd left God out. On the golf course one day he felt a strong urge, as if he'd heard a voice, to "come home." He left the course immediately- never one to disobey and order -went into the house to check on Jesse, his wife. "Every thing's fine here. Don't know what's bothering you." Doubt, an uncommon and unwanted guest in his mind, filled him with dread. The words of a buddy in arms from WWII came back to him: "When in doubt, read Philippians." Digging through old mementos until he found his unopened new testament, he read straight through Paul's little note with the BIG MESSAGE to the church. Strangely moved, walking into the kitchen, he said: "We're going to find us a church home!"
Breaking into a smile, hugging him gently, Jesse praised God. Years of prayers were suddenly answered. Then the phone rang. Picking it up, responding in joy, Ed said: "We'll be there this Sunday!" Central Community was in the middle of calling tens of thousands of residents of our community inviting them to check us out. Ed and Jesse did. Ed led many of our ministries for years, stood by his pastor through thick and thin and on the day he died was surrounded by the men of the church. His funeral was in our sanctuary and afterward the large crowd walked into our park for the well deserved honor guard and air force fly over.
I miss him still.
After Ed received Christ he longed to be baptized. We baptise by full immersion: pool in front of the church, family gathered round, hand on Ed's shoulder, I asked if there was anything he'd like to say before he went beneath the water. He thanked God for his family, for a call home, for a phone call from the church... and then he said something I'll never forget... as I held that old warrior in my arms the last words he said as he went beneath the water were: "I never want to hurt another living thing as long as I live."
Ed had seen horrible things. He'd led squadrons of B-52's as they carpet bombed villages filled with people. He was following orders... but he couldn't get it out of his mind... he'd told me so much... now it was ready to leave it with The Lord. God is too good.
Ed was far from perfect. He knew the consequences of spending a lifetime carrying the dark nightmares only a soldier knows. He was quick to encourage every man and woman in uniform, to thank them for their service... he knew the burden they carried. And he reminded me that no matter how great the crisis, it's a good idea to check ourselves before we pull the trigger on that life changing decision. Are we hungry, angry, lonely, tired? Wisdom might be far from us- better to wait -some decisions go with us to judgement day.
Watching TV, looking at all the tired faces of leaders so sure of themselves, can't help but wonder if they've had a friend like Ed... someone honest, wise and experienced enough to remind them to HALT before they jump off this cliff. Don't know what big decisions you're facing today but they very well might change the course of a thousand lives... a million possibilities... have you taken the time to eat, calm down, seek wise counsel from good friends... to rest? To HALT? If not, before you change the course of history, you might want to sleep on it. Judgement will wait. What's the rush?
blessings,
Eric
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