Walk-on Wednesday - Consistency Amidst Inconsistency - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Walk-on Wednesday. By Hump Day, we are struggling, but we believe a good devotion can strengthen us to finish the week strong. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NLT

She was the most inconsistent person John had ever met . . . but she was his boss.

In an office predominantly stocked with females, he was only the third male ever hired. For that, he was thankful. He needed the job. He soon discovered, however, that each day differed. Although he was hired for a particular position, he didn’t occupy that spot until months later. Instead, he was put in another position, then another, and then another.

From day to day, he never knew what his duties might entail. One day, he might be a teller, the next a custodian, and the next a supervisor. Nor did he ever know what type of mood his boss would be in. One day, she might be playful and humorous and the next morose and serious. Working for her was a challenge because of her inconsistency. 

The first century was also changing because of the day of Pentecost and the church's birth. No longer were Jewish customs and ceremonies needed or required. Instead, early apostles said people only needed to trust in the crucified and resurrected Christ.

Technology has brought a constant flow of change also. No sooner do we learn to maneuver one smartphone than another comes out, and we have to learn new features. Or, as soon as we get comfortable with one computer operating system, the manufacturers will change it to look and function differently.

Thankfully, there is a constant variable among all life's variables: Jesus Christ. Belief in his sacrifice on Calvary was my path to salvation initially, and I don’t have to fear he’ll change the way. Faith was sufficient in the beginning and will be in the end. He isn’t fickle as we often are. He doesn’t keep us guessing whether we are on good terms with him. In an ever-changing world, he is the only constant. Trusting in him will never lead us in the wrong direction.

Is Christ your constant in a changing world?

Prayer: Father, we thank You that the way to You will never change. 

Tweetable: How do you deal with inconsistency? 

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Unexpected Presence - Anne Adams

Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree . . . [while] Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Judges 6:11–12 NKJV

“Did you beep me?”

I heard the question on the front desk phone at the big church where I once worked. I quickly did a mental inventory of the ministers I knew had beepers. It wasn’t any of them, so I blurted, “Who are you?”

The person answered my blunt question, “Walter.” The senior minister. Oops!

After I dove for the switch to connect him to his secretary, I realized what had happened. Usually, when she beeped him, she’d alert me, but this time she hadn’t. Thus the unexpected presence.

Gideon had a similar experience when a divine visitor appeared as he threshed wheat in a hole. The unexpected divine presence brought instructions for God's new job for Gideon.

I’ve never had a visit like Gideon, but I’ve occasionally felt the same sense of a divine presence. It can take various forms–perhaps a sudden urge to say or do something that encourages someone or maybe a new idea I can implement in my writing ministry. Sometimes, God’s unexpected presence approaches me with a new task, as He did with Gideon.

When God shows up unexpectedly or in an unusual way, remember the Lord behind the visit is prepared to provide what you need to follow His divine orders. 

How do you respond when God shows up with a new task for you? 

Tweetable: How do you respond to God's unexpected presence? 

Anne Adams is a retired church staffer living in Athens, Texas, where she writes a historical column for the local newspaper. Her book Brittany, Child of Joy, tells about her mentally disabled daughter and was published in 1986 by Broadman. She has taught junior college history and has published in Christian and secular publications for forty years. 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.