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Galatians 6:1-2 – The Alarm Clock Rings
The alarm clock rings…with a heavy hand you smack down the snooze alarm and catch a few more zzzz’s. The alarm clock rings again…and you again – with a mighty hand – slap the snooze control smiling as you go back to sleep…The alarm clock rings again….and again…. I LOVE THE SNOOZE ALARM!
The alarm clock rings…startled, you jump out of bed…your body reacts defiantly, jerking, as you zigzag across the room…unable to walk in a straight line, falling into the wall, BANG! YEP, THIS MORNING!
The alarm clock rings…quickly you grab the alarm clock, throwing it against the wall, stomping on it as it falls to the ground, making sure that it will never disturb anyone ever again! Triumphantly, you crawl back into bed!
The alarm clock rings…you joyfully open your eyes after a restful night’s sleep; you turn the alarm off and start your day…with a song in your heart and on your lips. O.K., I’ll admit, I have only heard the rumor that some people wake up like this!
The alarm clocks rings…you fill in the blank at what happens next according to your experiences.
What’s the point of this little exercise into human behavior? Stick with me by allowing me to ask a couple of questions:
- What was the “constant?” (i.e., what remained the same?)
- What was the “variable?” (i.e., what changed)
The constant was the alarm clock. The variable was the reaction. Folks, that’s life! Let’s make the application by first understanding that we are the constant, the people around as are the variable.
No matter what we do in life, there have been and will continue to be some who are very supportive, encouraging, and bring a smile to our face when we think of them. Without these spiritual weightlifters, our burdens would be debilitating. We all have these saints in our lives, where without their being God’s conduit of blessings, we would not be able to bear our own burdens, let alone help bear the burdens of others (Galatians 6:1-2).
Then there are those who…well, you fill in the blank.
What is the “constant?” What is the “variable?”
We are the constant; the people around us are the variable. There are some people who are easily pleased, who want to be pleased, and who look for the good. Then there are others who…well, you fill in the blank.
What’s the application to my alarm clock analogy? Actually there are several.
First, do not become prideful over the compliments that we receive. Most likely they are more a reflection of the person who is praising us, than a reflection of our ability.
Romans 12:3 NASB – For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.
Is this denying that we have talents? No, but keeping this attitude does help us keep a level head spiritually. Using sound judgment keeps us grounded.
Second, do not become distraught over the criticisms that we receive. While honesty demands that we consider the validity of the criticism, honesty also demands that we consider the source. Very likely, the criticism can be more of a reflection of the critic, than of ourselves.
2 Corinthians 12:11 NASB – I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.
Is this denying that we have weaknesses? Again, no. But remembering that the same action (the constant) brought both praise and condemnation (the variable) helps us to use the criticism more constructively if there is any validity at all.
Third, my work as a preacher, your work as a saint, teacher, encourager, elder, deacon, personal evangelist, etc., must not be depended upon whether or not others support or denounce us. Our not giving up, our constancy must remain despite those who … well, you fill in the blank.
1 Corinthians 15:58 NASB – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
Fourth, let’s change the constant from us to the word of God—the Bible is our alarm clock. God’s alarm clock rings. How do we react? You fill in the blank.
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