by Michael E. Brooks

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Conventional wisdom says, "Do not travel in South Asia during the Monsoon season." From Late May to mid-September this region receives the vast majority of its annual rainfall. It rains nearly every day, and flooding is prevalent. Travel is difficult at best, impossible if one's destination is a rural village accessible only via dirt roads, or if floodwaters cover (or wash out) the highways. Frequent rains keep one wet, humidity is high and uncomfortable and the general atmosphere is rather soggy and unpleasant.

Sometimes one just has to travel regardless of circumstance. Recent experience has revealed that the listed disadvantages are real, but their over-all effect is less severe than expected. Temperatures are actually lower during the height of the monsoon than just before it begins; daily rains have a cooling effect. Rain is frequent, but not constant and one can often do several hours of outside activity each day. Flood waters must be avoided, but they often can be, and in other cases, just waiting a few days for them to recede takes care of the problem. True, there are places one cannot get to, but plenty more that are available and are just as much in need of visiting.

The point is that circumstances do not determine life. Life goes on -– things must be done –- regardless of circumstance. If it is dry, cool, and pleasant, that is wonderful and we may be more comfortable and more efficient. But the weather is often otherwise. We can be at its mercy, or we can go ahead and do what needs to be done, as best we can.

This principle does not apply only to weather, of course. People may be cooperative and helpful, enabling us to work and relate well with them. That is excellent, and we appreciate those times and opportunities. But people are often not like that. Do we let that cause us to fail to minister to them as Christians? Do we allow their negative attitudes change our values and character? God forbid.

Paul points out the importance of one's inner convictions in this regard:

"I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean" (Romans 14:14).

He is talking about different kinds of food, some of which Christians were being forbidden to eat. Paul says there is no food which defiles. Christians are free to eat all kinds of foods. But if someone sees harm in a food and considers it unclean for himself, then that makes it unclean, but only for that one individual.

This principle is easily applied in a wider arena. Circumstances frequently do not determine our actions. Rather it is our perception of and reaction to those circumstances which cause us to act in certain ways. One writer told of a recession in a certain city. He spoke to two different realtors, asking them "How are things going?" The first responded, "Terrible. No one has any money. I am not selling any houses." The response of the second was different however. She said, "I am having the best period ever. People are not working, so there is plenty of time to look for houses. I have made many sales." They were in exactly the same situation, but reacted to it in opposite ways. One saw the recession as a negative factor and was discouraged. The other saw it positively, as an opportunity, and took advantage.

Most that happens to us in life is neither good or bad in itself. That is determined by our attitude and reaction. If we view things positively, doing what we can, good will come.

By Michael E. Brooks

"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect him" (Matthew 24:44).

As I write these words I am less than four days from departing for Bangladesh. I have been home a little more than three months since my last trip and will be gone for over three months this time. I have known since arriving in March approximately when my next departure would be, and have had tickets purchased for several weeks. I have spent much of my time these months preparing lessons to teach during the fall semester in Bangladesh and for the campaign in Nepal.

Now ask me, "Are you ready to go? You have your bags all packed and your lessons all prepared, right?" You know the answer to that. I am not even close to ready. I have shopping to do, suitcases to pack, people to see, and yes, more lessons to prepare. I expect to be ready before next Tuesday, but I am not yet and it will take extra effort to accomplish total preparation.

The fact is, preparation is difficult. We are busy, frequently interrupted by unexpected circumstances, and prone (many of us anyway) to putting things off. Departure dates and deadlines approach with certainty and awesome speed, and we find it very difficult to meet them.

If preparation for a known, fixed and important deadline such as a departure date for a long mission trip is difficult, how much harder is it to be constantly prepared for an event whose timing is unknown? That event, of course, is the coming of the Son of Man, or as we more frequently refer to it, the Second Coming of Jesus.

We do not know when he is coming, but we know for certain that he is coming.

"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for him he will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation" (Hebrews 9:27,28).

"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first" (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

"Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 1:6-8).

As we have certainty about the second coming of Jesus, so we have certainty about the importance of being constantly prepared for his coming. Peter, describing the great day of the Lord, asks, "What manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God?" (2 Peter 3:12). His answer is, "Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by him in peace, without spot and blameless" (2 Peter 3:14). Jesus often commanded us to watch and be ready, for his coming would be unexpected and surprising (Matthew 24:42,44).

Preparation for Jesus' return is not a matter of packing suitcases, nor of preparing lessons to teach. It does not involve passports, visas, or taking shots and buying medicine. Rather it is simply the process and practice of sanctification and faithfulness. To be ready for Jesus is to be found in a forgiven state, reconciled to God through the blood of his Son. It is further to be found in service to God. Paul describes it as follows:

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

by Michael E. Brooks

"Another parable he put forth to them, saying: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches'" (Matthew 13:31,32).

On my first trip to Nigeria I visited a game park where I saw a number of antelope and other African animals, including real wild elephants. I was fascinated by all of them, but none were more impressive than one of the smallest of all that I saw –- the termite! Actually, it was not the termites themselves that impressed, but the huge mounds of dirt that marked their subterranean nests. These termite mounds were from three or four feet high to fifteen or even twenty feet, the larger ones with bases at least ten or more feet in diameter. Made of the red Nigerian clay they were scattered throughout the forest, clear, easily seen evidence of just how many of the small insects dwelt there.

A number of spiritual lessons can be inferred from the termite and his mound. Perhaps most obvious is the power of numbers, when all are united in purpose and action. One termite can move very little dirt in his short life, but millions together are quite powerful. Another way of stating the same principle is "Great things have small beginnings." Jesus describes his church as being like the mustard seed; tiny in its original form, but with immense potential. A preacher said several years ago, "the only limit to what a Christian can achieve for God is the size of his or her faith." This is true of one Christian, but how much more true is it of all Christians united together by faith in Christ Jesus. Surely, "All things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23b).

A second lesson is that all things that we do have consequences. The termites do not set out primarily to build a mound. Their real construction takes place underground where they build their nest. Though the mound has some function, it consists of the waste dirt that is removed to make their tunnels. To a great degree it is the by-product, or consequence, of the termites' work. In physics we were taught, "Every action has an equal but opposite reaction." Whatever we do leaves results. Every word we speak, every good or evil deed, even every thought, produces other words, deeds or thoughts within ourselves and those who are influenced by us. We frequently do not know all the results of our actions, nor do we always know just whom they affect. But there are effects, either good or bad. We must learn to anticipate the results of our words and deeds and ensure that they are for good, not for evil.

Finally, in a termite mound the real action is beneath the surface. One can look at the big pile of dirt for a long time without seeing any movement or sign of life. One could easily assume it is inert, dead, with nothing inside. Nothing could be further from the truth. Just under the surface there are millions of insects working, eating, and reproducing. The mound above is only a part of the real structure. Thousands of feet of tunnels wind beneath the earth, full of life.

Does the same principle not also often apply to people and even to churches? We may watch someone for a time, thinking, "there is not much to him –- he is nothing special." Some churches don't seem to have a lot of activity, no spectacular programs or obvious attraction. But both may contain hidden depths of spirituality and faith. Don't be quick to judge. Make sure to know the whole story, exploring beneath the surface, before coming to conclusions. People and churches are often doing much more than we think they are –- they just don't feel compelled to advertise or take credit for it.

In God's creation there are often parallels between the laws of nature and the spiritual principles governing eternal life. Our observations of the material world help us to understand the spiritual. We often can learn, even from the lowly termite.

by Michael E. Brooks

"Again, the devil took him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, 'All these things I will give you if you will fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Away with you Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God and him only you shall serve"'" (Matthew 4:8-11).

I have never been a very effective bargainer. I usually don't have a proper idea of the true value of goods, and am easily intimidated by sellers who seem to know just what they deserve and who may seem offended by my offers. Since I have been traveling in areas where bargaining in the open market is a way of life, however, I have learned not only to participate but even to enjoy it.

Once on the streets of Kathmandu I was offered a "Kukhuri" (Gorka soldier's knife) at 3,500 Nepali rupees (about $50). I was actually planning to purchase one of them at some point, and having shopped a little I knew that their true price was closer to 600 or 700 rupees, or about $10. I offered 600, then kept walking. The vender followed me all the way to my hotel, gradually reducing his asking price, until just before I walked through the door and out of his reach he finally said, "Okay, I will take 600." I felt good about having succeeded in buying something I wanted at what I felt to be a fair price.

In many stores, however, bargaining is not practiced. One offers less than the listed price only to hear the storekeeper respond, "Fixed Price". Since that is the system that prevails in American retail business, I am usually pretty comfortable with it. Take it or leave it, the price is what it is. This system reflects a view of reality and a philosophy that is easily transferable to other matters.

Certain things are, or at least should be, non-negotiable. One's honor, a nation's security, truth, justice, genuine love -- there is no price on these things, no bargaining or negotiating them away. Jesus' reaction to Satan's attempt to buy his adoration was the appropriate response. Jesus' worship did not have a price -- it could not be purchased. He worshipped God, and only God; no one else could receive his devotion. Not all the kingdoms of the world nor any other enticement could change his allegiance.

Cynics claim, "Everyone has his price." Is that really true? Can we be bought? Can our faith, our love be purchased by enough money, or pleasure, or power? Or is it given to God who made us and to him alone?

Let us follow the example of our Lord and cry, "Away with you Satan! For it is written ...."

By Michael E. Brooks

"After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates; and Josiah went out against him. But he sent messengers to him, saying, 'What have I to do with you, king of Judah? I have not come against you this day, but against the house with which I have war'" (2 Chronicles 35:20-21a).

After an all day visit to the town of Pirajpur, Bangladesh, several of us were returning to Khulna Bible College in the evening. About 9:00 p.m. we came into the town of Bagarhat, whose streets were virtually empty. Suddenly a bus came out of a business parking lot, blocking the road ahead of us, and several young men with clubs surrounded our van. They spoke with the driver, then withdrew, allowing us to pass. It turned out that they represented a local bus company and were checking to see whether our van was an unlicensed "for hire" vehicle, competing with their company. Their intentions were obviously to force such competition off the roads.

A serious concern in traveling in unfamiliar territory is the possibility of getting caught up in someone else's fight. One may at any time inadvertently come upon a demonstration, riot or battle. Even though the traveler would not be a target of such violence, he or she could be injured or killed as an "innocent bystander." Another possibility is for a traveler to become identified with locals who have enemies of whom he or she is not aware. These enemies may then include the traveler on their "list" as a target of revenge or anger. Obviously one should do whatever possible to avoid both these dangers.

Sometimes, however, people actually choose to invite themselves into situations where they have no real stake. Josiah, the righteous, reforming king of Judah is a tragic example. Necho brought the army of Egypt to do battle with the Babylonian army at Carchemish. Josiah apparently attempted to intercept the Egyptians at Megiddo, acting as an ally of Babylon. The king of Egypt warned him not to involve himself in what was actually none of his business, but Josiah persisted and was killed as a result. Judah lost a righteous, effective king because he chose to partake in someone else's fight.

How much of the church's resources are lost because Christians become involved in issues that do not really have anything to do with God's true purpose or with our ultimate goals? Business issues, recreational pursuits, social causes, and even national concerns may not really be matters that pertain to spiritual people. Christians have legitimate interests in all these areas. Yet, they all offer distractions and extreme situations that not only conflict with our true allegiance, but constitute genuine hazards to faith and eternal life. Consider for instance the obvious inconsistency of a Christian becoming angry and getting into a fight over the results of a football game.

When Jesus prophesied of the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome, his advice to Christians living in Jerusalem was,

"Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes" (Matthew 24:16-18).

Was Jerusalem not their home? Should not they be concerned with it? Jesus is not forbidding patriotic commitment, but he is saying that Christians would have no stake in a rebellion staged by fanatics of Judea who had rejected God's word, nor in fighting with or against a pagan Roman Empire. It was not their fight. Get out, avoid the harm, and use their strength to do God's work.

Christians today should identify our priorities and goals and ensure that we are using our resources for those things genuinely important. Let us not use time, strength and resources in pursuit of things that do not relate to eternal life. And let us especially not endanger life or soul in fighting battles that have nothing to do with our Lord and his cause.