Just 26 letters in our alphabet and we learned them, probably, before we ever went to school. Why? They are the building blocks of communication – verbal, written, and thoughts. Yet, we also know so much with these few letters, that we rattle a combination of letters together and feel sort of smug with an insider’s knowledge.
Think about it. We understand E=MC2 came from Einstein even if we don’t know what it truly means. Energy equally mass times the speed of light squared. Okay, smarty pants. Don’t just use it. Explain it!
As a technologist of a number of decades, I have just grown used to acronyms in my language.
- IBM – International Business Machines
- DOS – Disk Operating System
- JCL – Job Control Language
- COBOL – Common Business Oriented Language
- FORTRAN – Formula Translation
- ETC – etcetera
Acronyms abbreviated our speech. Code, if you would, that Geeks of a common background speak with as few syllables as possible, but known and understood by fellow aficionado’s.
Somewhere in the past, long before I was a technologist, the same experience was the language of kids!
- FORD – “Fix Or Repair Daily”, “Fast On Race Days”
- DELTA – Don’t Even Leave The Airport
Maybe you will have fun recalling some of your own acronyms and could add them as comments to this posting.
IIITBIIUTM
Through the years, I’ve lived with any number of acronyms, but there is one that is difficult to unravel, nor easy to remember, and you cannot pronounce it as a word. Yet, it’s 10 letters strung together and essentially identifies what some would call the most powerful ten, one syllable, two-letter words in the entire world.
IIITBIIUTM – “If It Is To Be, It Is Up To Me”
Perhaps it’s you, and perhaps not, but I am the type of person that sees something that needs to be done – and just does it. Without asking for permission, without recognition or bragging rights, I see a need and am compelled by some inner force to “just do it.” There is a problem with this type of personality, and that’s something I’ll deal with another day!
Many years ago my pastor (in Texas) preached about something that we have recently called “paying forward.” He would pay for another person’s meal, but ask the server to help him be anonymous, or give the toll road person a roll of quarters to pay for the next number of people behind him. Without seeking recognition, he instilled within me the idea of “just doing it” with no recognition. Now, decades later, my wife and I still look for opportunities to do these kinds of actions without ever seeking a reward for a good deed done, or for recognition. In our little community, we have done this for a number of military families who are obviously here for a short duration and far from home. It makes us feel good to do this for others.
From any activity you could imagine, simply doing it because it needs to be done, is an important personality trait. In my books, that makes you a powerful person!
Here’s My Thought Today
Scripture is full of these kinds of stories, but none stands out more than the one of Philip in the book of Acts.
We find him in the sixth chapter as a man who is singled out with six others – Stephen, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas. These seven men were identified as ones of “honest report,” full of the Holy Ghost, and full of wisdom. Their singular job was to serve tables. Glamorous? Perhaps not. Important job? You be the judge. By doing their tasks it freed up the twelve disciples to remain in the Word of God.
There is nothing more important in life than knowing what you are called to do, and then doing it with all your heart. These seven men were recognized for their faithfulness and wisdom, but their job was to serve tables. Hmmm… Think about it. Who among those serving today are faithful and wise? You would be surprised!
There is nothing more important in life than knowing what you are called to do, and then doing it with all your heart. IIITBIIUTM... If it is to be, it is up to me! Click To TweetThe disciples laid hands on them and prayed for them. The results were astonishing. The Word of God increased, the number of disciples increased, and many priests were obedient to the faith (converts, if you would).
Immediately Stephen is recognized as one who did great wonders and miracles among the people he was appointed to serve.
It is not noted that he was a preacher, pastor, teacher, or any other great orator. He was full of faith and power. (Acts 6:8) But there must have been something about him…in the midst of doing his “J-O-B” (acronym?), he is found to be touching lives with his witness.
Suddenly, the limelight is on him and he is brought before the elders and rulers. They are unable to withstand his power of speech. Stephen gives them a history lesson (Acts 7) and they feel the conviction of his story, but then respond with a gnashing of teeth upon Stephen. He declares to them a vision and they run upon him ready to demand his life.
Why Would Stephen Take This Chance?
Perhaps we find ourselves wondering why someone with Faith and Wisdom, is willing to wait tables and uses their position to touch lives.
A powerful witness from anyone changes our perspective.
Look around the crowd, and you will see one standing, perhaps on the edges, by the name Saul. We don’t get a clear picture of this, but scripture says Saul was consenting unto Stephens’s death (Acts 8:1). After it is recorded that Stephen is stoned!
Saul. The same one who would later experience his own conversion on the Road to Damascus and his name would be changed to Paul. The great Apostle Paul.
Think about it for a moment. What triggered Saul to make havoc of this early church? A man’s witness and death? Or, perhaps that someone could share so eloquently a version of history and then have a personal vision of Jesus? We may never know. What we do know, Saul ravaged the church so much that many fled Jerusalem! Saul was after them. Entering their homes, sending them to prison. As these faithful followers of Christ leave Jerusalem, scripture does not say they did it in fear. No, they did it by preaching the Word wherever they went. (Acts 8:4)
The result of Stephen’s death and Saul’s rantings causes the church to complete the Great Commission!
(Matt 28:19, Acts 1:8).
What caused all of this? Those seven men who were called to serve tables! This singular point of time became the instigator for the completion of the commission. Sometimes, God uses the smallest of details to accomplish his plan.
Where Is Philip?
So, where is Philip in all of this? He goes to the city of Samaria and preaches Christ. Simple. Elegant. No hype, program, plan, deputation, or backing. He sees the need and he does what he’s able to do. Preach Christ.
Philip is accomplishing the acronym! “If it is to be, it is up to me.” One person, accomplishing the simple will of Christ can turn a city completely over. It does not take a team, nor an organization. It does not even take the local church. Just one person doing what needs to be done.
Many miracles are accomplished. Demons are cast out. Palsies and lame are healed. The result of his focus is that there was “Great Joy” in that city. (Acts 8:8)
Think about it! One person doing what needed to be done!
Let me give you another weird acronym…
What if this is me? (WITIM?)
See a need, do the job. As parents, we often simply do what needs to be done for a child. Why? IIITBIIUTM. If we are going to be faithful, wise, and full of God’s spirit, then there are plenty of opportunities to reach others. Why? IIITBIIUTM. What if no one recognizes my effort? Who cares?! IIITBIIUTM. Shut-ins. Nursing homes. Hospitals. Homeless. Next-door neighbors. Co-workers. Strangers behind the counters serving us! IITBIIUTM
Simply put. Opportunities abound for the person who simply sees themselves with the acronym. IIITBIIUTM. So. What do we do now? IIITBIIUTM.
You know…!