CAN I MAKE A RECOMMENDATION?

By Rick McCurdy

So, you hear that a friend or co-worker is headed to a city/country that you have visited. What do you do? Of course, you begin to give recommendations of things to see and places to eat. Maybe you even offer a few warnings of things to avoid. Do you do this because you are a self-righteous know-it-all who must always be telling people what to do? Of course not! You do it because you want the other person to have the best possible outcome during their upcoming venture. Do they think you are being overbearing and judgmental? Of course not! They appreciate your input and will keep it in mind during their upcoming venture.

What if a friend or coworker stated that they were looking for a movie to see or a book to read? What would you do? Obviously, you would give recommendations based upon what you know about the other person. You might even query them to ascertain what they are looking for in said move/book experience, to better advise them. Again, will they feel put upon by your recommendations? Will you be perceived as a power-hungry dictator? No, you will be thanked for your input, which they might very well heed.

Brethren, we are possessors of the most powerful thing in the universe. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). It also happens to be the most sought-after thing in all the universe, even if most won’t acknowledge it. Knowing this, how ought we to approach those around us in the world? Might we be so bold as to make a recommendation or two, here and there?

We must know what we would share. We must be able to convey the good news, emphasizing what makes it so “good”. We must love it so much that it is obvious. We must not be afraid to speak the truth of eternity, for all will face it. We must make the effort to get to know the people around us and not just shovel seed onto wayside/rocky soil. That takes time and effort. Consider the recommendation of our Lord, “’You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 22:39-40). That brings us to the next point.

We must care enough to dare (to make recommendations). Might the people we speak to think we are one of “those” people? Yes, they might. Are we ashamed of the gospel? Aren’t we one of those (His) people? Might the people we speak to be mean to us and sever our relationship? It’s possible. If we do it from love it would seem less likely, but even if it does come to pass isn’t that exactly what our Lord said and suffered?

Remember the rich man from Luke 16? Finding himself in torments he begged Abraham to send anyone to his brothers on earth “lest they come to this place of torment”. Every person we encounter, more than likely, has a deceased relative in that very position with that very desire. Here we are, with the power of God to salvation. Will we make a recommendation?

Results

We live in a results oriented society. The teacher has to keep on making lesson plans. And before those lesson plans are finished, more lesson plans must be made. The factory worker has to produce so many parts per day. He can’t point to how many thousands of parts he has made through the years. He has to make more today. The nurse always has more patients to care for. The farmer can’t rest on last year’s yield. His crops must be bountiful this year. We spend so much time doing and seeking results. Each job has its own responsibilities. 

I learned quickly that each week there is another sermon to preach, another Bible class to teach, another article to write. We spend so much time producing, in whatever we do; that sometimes we fail to soak in like we should. “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” (Psalm 46:10 NLT). Have you made the time to be still lately? Have you taken the time to read from God’s word and to pray? God knows that you produce so much. You need to take the time to soak things in to be fruitful. We are men and women, not machines. Although, I will say even machines get tired and need a break too. My red van doesn’t run constantly, but it is up to 300 thousand miles! 

The Israelites kept the Sabbath, a built in day off for worship and rest. This was also incorporated into their land. The land was fallow every seven years, a Sabbath year. This was long before research showed the effectiveness of crop rotation. Even the land needed a rest. Every 50 years, there was a year of jubilee. The land rested for 2 years, year 49 (7 x 7) and year 50. Are you making the time to be a soaker? Read the bible daily. Pray daily. Take time to rest. A sopping wet sponge can’t soak up anymore. Sometimes, we are all wet from producing so much. We haven’t taken the time to be rung out. One of the best ways I have found to be refreshed is by worship. Unfortunately, mankind can try to change this into some results oriented commodity. In reality worship is meant to be focusing on God and being renewed. Soak up all you can from God. You will be better at whatever you do.

Jimmy Hodges