We have family visiting this week, and on the return journey from a service we had a discussion about the origin of the phrase, “to pass the buck.” David had used it in a sermon and the translator could not translate it as she had no idea what he had meant. We had many ideas as to what it could or should have originated from, but none of our ideas were correct.

I looked it up and found this answer, “Passing the buck” originated from a ritual practiced during card games. Card players used to place a marker, called a “buck,” in front of the person who was the dealer. This was often a knife, and knives often had handles made of buck’s horn – hence the marker becoming known as a buck. When the dealer’s turn was done he ‘passed the buck’. Silver dollars were later used as markers and this is probably the origin of the use of buck as a slang term for dollar. That marker was passed to the next player along with the responsibility of dealing. Eventually “passing the buck” became synonymous with passing on responsibility.

Isn”t it strange how often we use phrases that we have no idea of the origin? Well, at least we know the modern meaning of the phrase, but what of those who are listening to us. Do we speak clearly enough that others hear what we want them to know? On this occasion, David had no problem finding another phrase which his translator understood, but in every day life, do people understand why we want to tell them about Jesus? How do we help them to understand the importance of the message of salvation for their eternal destiny?

Not one of us who are believers can “pass the buck” to anyone else, as it is our task to pass on the message. Jesus said, “Ye shall be my witnesses, in Jerusalem (at home), in all Judea (in the surrounding area) and Samaria (even to those we do not particularly like) and to the ends of the earth,” Acts 1:8. (parenthesis and italics mine) He wants us to witness of Him. That makes me think of what impression I leave on other people of who my Jesus is.

But he doesn’t leave us powerless to do this task. The same verse tells us we shall receive power from the Holy Spirit. There is no need to pass the buck! He will strengthen and empower us to do the job and also prepare the heart of the person we are witnessing to. It is after all His Will that they hear about Him and understand their need and the remedy for their sins.

While swimming this week, David”s brother heard shouts in a language he does not even know one word of. He could have passed the buck and ignored the lady calling. No one would have thought anything of it. But he didn”t. Instead, he took the responsibility on himself to go and see what the problem was and ended up rescuing a disabled lady, who was having difficulties in deep water. She would most certainly have drowned had he not done something.

Let us be on the look out for people to talk to this week who need to hear about Jesus. David is one of the best people who I know at this task. He can turn a simple question about time, weather or even directions into an opportunity to tell people about the need to be ready for Eternity, the Saviour who loves them unconditionally and made the way for them to get to Heaven. Not only that, but he loves to do it, savoring the opportunity to share with others what He knows to be great news. That is a Gift, and not all of us have a gift just like that. But we can live a life of example, help someone in need, give a Gospel Tract or say a word or two at the right moment. Then, at least in these instances, we need never “pass the buck”

This week we have been getting ready for the arrival of some of our family and as usual, I got to thinking about all the preparation etc.

Already a couple of weeks ago we were finding out all the things they might be interested in around the area for them to do while here.

Then last week, it was time to bake extra and stock the freezer. Cooking a couple of meals ahead to save time and leaving more freedom to entertain, seems like a sensible thing to do. Beds are made up clean and fresh and rooms dusted and cleaned.

We clean out cupboards and get into corners that we know fine well most guests will not be in, but we do it anyway. We are meticulous in cleaning where normally a light rub over will do. Why?

Because we don”t want the flaws in our housework to be discovered!

But I ask myself: Are the people any more comfortable because I have everything bleached and blitzblank? Most folks are not coming to view a house or inspect the dust, they are coming to see the people and we would be much more pleasant company if relaxed instead of stressed out with cleaning and sorting. But no matter whether we know that or not, we still clean our hearts out.

I wonder do we take the same care when we are meeting with the Lord! When He comes to visit us, are our hearts swept clean and ready for His Word to our hearts. Let us take time for Him this week and be ready and open to His still small voice prodding us to reach out to others.

When He sends someone into our lives needing our listening ear are we too busy with our own cluttered lives to listen to them? Is there something they are interested in that we could also learn about as a means of getting to know them better? Some common denominator, allowing us an opening to speak of the New Life Jesus can give them.

As I like to have the freezer stocked up with the fresh baking and cooking, let us prepare to be fresh and¬† have lives which are “a sweet-smelling savour” to the lost whom the Lord brings across our paths. People are hungry, and need to have that hunger satisfied. If we don”t fill their minds with thoughts of Jesus and their need of Him, then satan and the world will send them some appetizers and they will miss out on the real feast. Do we even stop to think of how awful a lost eternity will be for those who are not ready? It will be a million times worse than the worst scenario we can imagine and it will never cease! This should send us to our knees in earnest supplication.

Now that I am ready and prepared for my guests, I can look forward with anticipation to their arrival and all the fun and joy that holds. I have already decided on people we want to have over while they are here to have fellowship, food and fun. There will be a few surprise visits with people calling, as there always is in this house. As we anticipate the future with the Lord, make sure you are prepared and ready to bring as many others with you as you can. That is why He entrusted us with the message, that we could share it! It is amazing that no matter how we anticipate what eternity with Jesus will be like, there will be a few extra surprises and it will be much more than a million times more wonderful than the best we can possibly imagine. I Corinthians 2:6 declares, “Eye has not seen, nor has ear heard, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” And it will never end! Our guests will go home in a couple of weeks, but Heaven will go on for eternity. Only what is done for Jesus will last!

Blessings!

Wilma

I lost a special friend to cancer this week. Ok, she is not lost, as I know full well she is with her Saviour and happier than she ever was on this earth. But for me she is gone and I already miss her.

Helen was a few years older than me and still we became very close. Both Scottish, both nurses and both believers we had a lot in common, yet we only knew each other for about 12 years. Helen was the mission secretary for her church and there began the contact. She was a happy, bubbly person who oozed the love she had for the Lord to everyone she met.  She was capable, practical and totally efficient, yet could be thrilled at the smallest blessing and delighted by any touch from the Lord. She prayed, expected answers from the Lord, and was thrilled to hear of how He worked it out!

Helen battled her cancer in the best of ways, doing all she could to live, but also looking forward to the Lord taking her home, if it was His will. Even in her last days she struggled to write a letter, sending me the information about missions etc that she always sent. She had a great birthday two weeks before she died with many of those she loved around her, then put all her affairs in order and finished well!!!

John 16:33 says “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” God never gives us grace for tomorrow, but for the moment we are going through right now. Helen was “of good cheer” even when being seemingly defeated by her cancer. She knew her victory was in total dependence on Christ. It was a lesson to me to see one who, in herself was so capable and efficient, be so totally reliant on God for every moment, accepting His will as Perfect.

Max Lucado writes, “Do you see Jesus in your clouds? Rev 1:7, Behold He is coming with clouds… Clouds are a sign that God is there, …..Sorrow, bereavement and suffering are actually the clouds that come along with God!”

We don”t often see it that way. Yes, we see the clouds of bereavement and sadness but don”t realize that God is revealing Himself to us through them and strengthening our faith. He gives us greater assurance that Heaven is ahead and He has the way ahead prepared for us. As the clouds pass over, we are left with the sweet memories of our loved ones and even this sad experience serves to assure us that the life ahead is so much more satisfying. That is the one side of it all.

The other side is a reminder of our great responsibility. We realize how short the time is and how many do not have that assurance. We are the only ones who can tell them about our Saviour Jesus Christ who loved enough to die for them and lives to make them ready for Heaven and Home. No other god or religion offers such assurance, such a future or such a pension scheme. We have this treasure, worth more than life, let us share it, until we meet with these loved ones again and rejoice together over all He has done.