Killin' Time

OK, I admit it, I like Clint Black. I even TiVoed (look it up in the new technology dictionary) a concert of his recently. I am watching it now. I think some of the lyrics in his songs are clever and somewhat insightful. His song Killin' Time is about drinking away his time after a broken heart. (unique for a country song, huh? )

While we may not choose to drink away our time due to a lost love, I wonder if there isn't still a connection to that thought for us. Are we stuck in a holding pattern because of a wound (perceived or real) dealt to our hearts?

While the guy in the song knows that when "I cross that line, and they bury me, I just might find I'll be killin' time for eternity". I wonder if we aren't doing the same but without the realization that it might kill us NOW and possibly forever.

I believe that Jesus's promise of "abundant life" is not just a promise of heaven, but a promise of a new life that begins NOW. We all start out in innocence, an Eden like existence. But somewhere (often early in life) along the way, a death, a fall happens. The innocence and confidence is shattered. A disappointement. A divorce. The arrow of a hurtful word. Physical violence. A message from someone we love that we are not valuable, or at least valuable enough. Even an actual death of someone close. All of these things ROCK our world. They make us question...life...ourselves...even and especially God. And the enemy capitalizes. He gives us lies as answers to the questions. We buy it. And part of us dies because of it.

It is of great importance to identify these deaths. But not for the purpose of living in them. We must allow the dead parts of us to be brought back to life. We must identify the agreements. We must replace the lies with the Truth. We must believe and proclaim that truth. And then live in the freedom that comes.

This is not some magical "How To" on undoing or dealing with the wounds that paralyze us. But by initiating this process, by proclaiming the TRUTH and breaking agreements we have made with an Enemy who comes only to "steal, kill, and destroy". We make new agreements to live from. There is a spiritual resurrection that begins.

Now just because something is brought back to life (think about the crash cart in an ER) it doesn't mean that it will necessarily be utterly and completely healed. Although I guess that could happen. Usually healing takes time. Learning to walk again, especially with strength, stamina, and grace, takes time. But those crash cart moments can be looked back upon as resurrection moments. They are anchor points to remember and live from.

BUT if we don't identify those deaths. If we don't claim and live in the abundant life that is available because of the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Savior, we might just be "killin' time for eternity". That doesn't sound very much like life to me.

As always, Shoulder to Shoulder.....