“Don’t pray! Oh, no, don’t pray!”
I looked at the neatly dressed nun in total surprise. I thought surely she knew the value of prayer, and would thank me for my kindness in offering to pray.
But her words echoed as if she was speaking in an empty football stadium, “. . . don’t pray; don’t pray; don’t pray”.
We were a part of a group that had just experienced a time of reflection, We were learning how to love others at the level of their deepest needs. Two or three of us had just acted out a visit with a hospital patient. The rest of the group had critiqued the role play.
It wasn’t easy for any of us to be told that we were more interested in ourselves than the patients.
I remember a time when I took up a free offer to experience an exercise room. Here came the trainer, with a nice tan, excellent posture, and muscles bulging all over his body. He took me to a treadmill and began to tell me how I should begin. I was totally exhausted in less than ten minutes!
He had experienced the benefits of exercise, but had forgotten how he felt in his own early experiences.
If he had offered me private training, I would have said, “Oh no, I don’t want to train!” I realized the truth of Proverbs 28:16 that says a leader who lacks understanding is very oppressive, but one who hates unjust gain prolongs his life.
The nun needed to learn that prayer could be an amazing treasure, but I also needed to value the understanding I could gain in practicing certain disciplines, but it wasn’t happening! I was still reeling under the pain of someone who had told me not to pray!
We are in pain, and it looks like others want to gain from that pain! We don’t get it. We must be deaf. We don’t know how to respond. We are dumbfounded.
We can identify with Jesus while being accused of telling people he could destroy a magnificent temple that had taken years to build, and rebuild it in three days. (See Psalm 38:10 and Matthew 26:61). That isn't what he really said. No wonder he didn’t answer. They were way off base! But he did answer the high priest’s question in the affirmative, when he said, “Are you the Christ, the Son of God?”
How do I build an appreciation for prayer in someone? How does a trainer build an appreciation for exercise in a lazy person? Understanding is the missing link, and that is sometimes costly.
I don’t naturally hear cries for help during pain, until I myself have experienced it. Pain is an unrelenting authority where my weakness is used against me. That is when I learn to pay exacting prices for truth, wisdom and understanding, without selling it as a piece of merchandise. (Proverbs 23:23)
Understanding is like a warrior's shield, and the person who neglects the discipline that invites it, loses great treasure. (Proverbs 2:2-6) (Proverbs 15:32)
Friday, March 12, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
A DOZEN ROSES FOR A PLACE TO STAY?
As a teenager, I spent a summer working in my uncle’s poultry processing plant in Indiana, called, “Wilson Poultry Company”. I stayed with my paternal grandparents, who lived next to the main building.
I was born in Swaziland, Africa, so I did not realize how much my grandparents loved me.
An overhead line facilitated the process of dressing chickens, which were soon packed in ice, ready for sale and delivery. I couldn’t help but notice that others had stools that rested their feet as they worked all day. I mentioned this to my grandfather, who then personally built me a stool. I appreciated the stool, but after a few weeks, I was asked to help my cousins deliver to grocery stores and restaurants all across central Indiana.
So, the new stool sat in a corner.
Soon a co-employee asked me if I wanted to sell it. I liked the thought of some extra money, so didn’t think twice, as I accepted the low-priced offer! However, I was totally unprepared for the grief of my grandfather when I told him I had sold his love for a few coins!
Several weeks ago, in a similar kind of spirit, I accepted the loan of a sermon on CD. After listening to a small portion of it, I put it on a shelf for “a more convenient season”.
I was not ready for the urgent request to return it after several weeks, so that someone else might enjoy it. Promising myself that I would finish listening to it before I saw them again, I looked for the CD, but it was not where I had laid it.
I had no peace as I frantically searched, in regret, for the CD. While I was readily forgiven, I lost a little more of the “treasure of trust” that day, that I could not afford to lose!
Towards the end of the day, a friend and I were enjoying coffee and a bagel at a local coffee shop. A nicely dressed lady approached us, with a dozen beautiful roses in her hand. I was surprised when she said she wanted money for food, and a place to stay. She implied that she would give a rose in exchange. As she explained it, she said, “Please, I ask for help in the name of Jesus!”
I told her that I didn’t give out money in this way, but that I would buy her a meal. I asked her for her preference. She said, “Buy me what you want.” I went to the counter and bought her soup, a roll, and pastry.
Upon return, I said, “I noticed that you asked for this in the name of Jesus, and I give it to you in His name, please enjoy it! But, always remember that you cannot ‘use’ Jesus like a commodity!” As she took it, she immediately asked for money for a place to stay. I immediately recognized the spirit of ingratitude that I had personally demonstrated towards both my grandfather, and the people who had loaned me the CD, so I forgivingly offered a chance for her to get such assistance through the Salvation Army where I volunteer in such programs. She looked at the floor, shuffled her feet, and walked away.
No wonder things were not working for the religious leaders of Jesus day – they understood sacrifice, but did not understand mercy. (Matthew 9:13) They came, hoping to impress Jesus to buy into their scheme.
Jesus was acting according to his Father’s plan of mercy, in the spirit of the Love of God. This would eventually cost his very life. Why would he cater to someone’s preference? (Matthew 19:16-21)
Mercy implies that we demonstrate knowledge of another’s genuine need. If I attempt to sell the love of a grandfather for a few coins, God may put me under the discipline of learning the needs of others. If I attempt to explain my lack of gratefulness by saying, “I’ll listen to the sermon on CD when I get the time”, God may put me under the discipline of trying to find it in order to return it.
Can you see how it must have saddened Jesus to see the rich young ruler choose his own wealth over the wealth of the universe? Picture Judas regretfully trying to return thirty pieces of silver. Appreciative love is still the highest law, and it cannot be bought.
I was born in Swaziland, Africa, so I did not realize how much my grandparents loved me.
An overhead line facilitated the process of dressing chickens, which were soon packed in ice, ready for sale and delivery. I couldn’t help but notice that others had stools that rested their feet as they worked all day. I mentioned this to my grandfather, who then personally built me a stool. I appreciated the stool, but after a few weeks, I was asked to help my cousins deliver to grocery stores and restaurants all across central Indiana.
So, the new stool sat in a corner.
Soon a co-employee asked me if I wanted to sell it. I liked the thought of some extra money, so didn’t think twice, as I accepted the low-priced offer! However, I was totally unprepared for the grief of my grandfather when I told him I had sold his love for a few coins!
Several weeks ago, in a similar kind of spirit, I accepted the loan of a sermon on CD. After listening to a small portion of it, I put it on a shelf for “a more convenient season”.
I was not ready for the urgent request to return it after several weeks, so that someone else might enjoy it. Promising myself that I would finish listening to it before I saw them again, I looked for the CD, but it was not where I had laid it.
I had no peace as I frantically searched, in regret, for the CD. While I was readily forgiven, I lost a little more of the “treasure of trust” that day, that I could not afford to lose!
Towards the end of the day, a friend and I were enjoying coffee and a bagel at a local coffee shop. A nicely dressed lady approached us, with a dozen beautiful roses in her hand. I was surprised when she said she wanted money for food, and a place to stay. She implied that she would give a rose in exchange. As she explained it, she said, “Please, I ask for help in the name of Jesus!”
I told her that I didn’t give out money in this way, but that I would buy her a meal. I asked her for her preference. She said, “Buy me what you want.” I went to the counter and bought her soup, a roll, and pastry.
Upon return, I said, “I noticed that you asked for this in the name of Jesus, and I give it to you in His name, please enjoy it! But, always remember that you cannot ‘use’ Jesus like a commodity!” As she took it, she immediately asked for money for a place to stay. I immediately recognized the spirit of ingratitude that I had personally demonstrated towards both my grandfather, and the people who had loaned me the CD, so I forgivingly offered a chance for her to get such assistance through the Salvation Army where I volunteer in such programs. She looked at the floor, shuffled her feet, and walked away.
No wonder things were not working for the religious leaders of Jesus day – they understood sacrifice, but did not understand mercy. (Matthew 9:13) They came, hoping to impress Jesus to buy into their scheme.
Jesus was acting according to his Father’s plan of mercy, in the spirit of the Love of God. This would eventually cost his very life. Why would he cater to someone’s preference? (Matthew 19:16-21)
Mercy implies that we demonstrate knowledge of another’s genuine need. If I attempt to sell the love of a grandfather for a few coins, God may put me under the discipline of learning the needs of others. If I attempt to explain my lack of gratefulness by saying, “I’ll listen to the sermon on CD when I get the time”, God may put me under the discipline of trying to find it in order to return it.
Can you see how it must have saddened Jesus to see the rich young ruler choose his own wealth over the wealth of the universe? Picture Judas regretfully trying to return thirty pieces of silver. Appreciative love is still the highest law, and it cannot be bought.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
WHO ME?
“Who me?”
I was a teenager, sitting alone on the back deck of a tour boat, on the Wisconsin river. It was long before young people earned extra funds for college, selling pens, and memorabilia, taking tour groups around to see the Dells. A seasoned guide both piloted the boat, and spoke of scenes along the beautiful river, which had left its mark on the sandstone of the area.
Using both his past knowledge, love of people, and imagination, he also told fascinating stories of different cultures. I found myself dreaming of piloting such a boat one day.
All of a sudden, I heard someone say, “Hey, you! You in the pink shirt! Come here and guide this boat, while I explain some things about this area of the Dells!”
I was shocked that someone might know what I was thinking, and said, “Who, me?” “Yes, you!”
I soon found myself keeping the boat, filled with approximately 150 tourists, between the banks of the Wisconsin River.
Nathanael also found himself in such a situation. We have the record of when Jesus started calling his disciples in John 1. When Jesus decided to go to Galilee, he found Philip and told him, “Follow me.” Philip, from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter, then found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael asked Philip, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip told him to “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael was surprised and said, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Why should it surprise us that God both knows about us, and loves to acknowledge our love for Him? Jacob is awakened by shock, after successfully negotiating the “birth-right” of the family, when he sees a vision of angels on a ladder. Religious leaders are shocked that Jesus could accurately pinpoint their thoughts, as they plan to trap him, when he is actually trying to love them.
As a young person, I got a lot of joy out of pleasing my parents, (when I actually did!) Why not our Heavenly Father? Have we allowed the present world system to bring us a flawed sense of accomplishment and/or condemnation, that does not do justice to a loving Heavenly Father, one that would give His own Son for our salvation? Thus we tend to align ourselves with a world system that is harder and harder to keep up with?
Perhaps we would also be surprised if we knew how much actions of integrity were actually observed, acknowledged, and rewarded.
I was a teenager, sitting alone on the back deck of a tour boat, on the Wisconsin river. It was long before young people earned extra funds for college, selling pens, and memorabilia, taking tour groups around to see the Dells. A seasoned guide both piloted the boat, and spoke of scenes along the beautiful river, which had left its mark on the sandstone of the area.
Using both his past knowledge, love of people, and imagination, he also told fascinating stories of different cultures. I found myself dreaming of piloting such a boat one day.
All of a sudden, I heard someone say, “Hey, you! You in the pink shirt! Come here and guide this boat, while I explain some things about this area of the Dells!”
I was shocked that someone might know what I was thinking, and said, “Who, me?” “Yes, you!”
I soon found myself keeping the boat, filled with approximately 150 tourists, between the banks of the Wisconsin River.
Nathanael also found himself in such a situation. We have the record of when Jesus started calling his disciples in John 1. When Jesus decided to go to Galilee, he found Philip and told him, “Follow me.” Philip, from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter, then found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael asked Philip, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip told him to “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael was surprised and said, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Why should it surprise us that God both knows about us, and loves to acknowledge our love for Him? Jacob is awakened by shock, after successfully negotiating the “birth-right” of the family, when he sees a vision of angels on a ladder. Religious leaders are shocked that Jesus could accurately pinpoint their thoughts, as they plan to trap him, when he is actually trying to love them.
As a young person, I got a lot of joy out of pleasing my parents, (when I actually did!) Why not our Heavenly Father? Have we allowed the present world system to bring us a flawed sense of accomplishment and/or condemnation, that does not do justice to a loving Heavenly Father, one that would give His own Son for our salvation? Thus we tend to align ourselves with a world system that is harder and harder to keep up with?
Perhaps we would also be surprised if we knew how much actions of integrity were actually observed, acknowledged, and rewarded.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
FORTY DOLLARS
“Forty dollars? For that little part? Is that the whole wiring harness for the front turn signal?” The dealership parts clerk had surprised me.
“If the socket is rusted out, and the wiring alright, this is all you need”, he replied.
“I didn’t think it would be that much.” I told him my reasons for believing it should be 20% of the price. He smiled and said he was grateful that he wasn’t making payments on a new car, and that the 2003 model that I had was really a good car.
He then went on to show other things that were going on in the economy across the United States. He spoke of some their own dealership had also experienced.
Imagine this, I finally decided it was worthwhile to be friendly – after all, he had exactly what I wanted! It was just more than I wanted to pay. I paid the bill, grateful I could keep the car safe, and again thanked the Lord I wasn’t making high car payments!
Its amazing how poor, crippled, lame and blind we are at times, when the Lord throws us a banquet! Just look at the banquet of insight He gave to the group at the chief Pharisees’ house in Luke 14:1-14. (I know, I am picking up on his instruction to them – but I am amazed at His insight!)
Psalm 115:4,8 came to mind where it says that those who make idols are like them, and so are those that trust in them. (See especially verse 8.) “Yes, Lord,” I remonstrated, “I know.”
I am not very respectful when I can’t have my way! It seemed like my mother was with me telling me that I needed to enjoy the “humble pie”, whatever that means.
It occurred to me that I may have been subconsciously contributing to our 21st century problem. With a focus on the material, we have become so used to it, we forget Who provides the blessing in the first place.
The scripture is not against material things, but against a wrong view of them. A widow was provided oil; a student prophet experienced a floating axe head; the Israelites had the most nutritious wafers ever, called manna.
As I meditated, I began to realize that things like this drain spiritual stamina. It is so easy to become like my culture! When I do, it expects me to return the favor, and reproduce it, at its own price!
The gift of my most priceless possession, “integrity of heart” was being drained. I wasn’t happy to find the leak! I had worked thirteen years for an automotive supplier where it was against company policy to accept bribes for needed items and services, but I had still been bribed into feeling that automobiles were one of the main blessings of our culture. Where did that come from but my own heart? I am seeing every day that there is big blessing in realizing their ultimate cost as well.
Paul told Timothy, (and us), "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy." 1 Timothy 6:17 (ESV).
“If the socket is rusted out, and the wiring alright, this is all you need”, he replied.
“I didn’t think it would be that much.” I told him my reasons for believing it should be 20% of the price. He smiled and said he was grateful that he wasn’t making payments on a new car, and that the 2003 model that I had was really a good car.
He then went on to show other things that were going on in the economy across the United States. He spoke of some their own dealership had also experienced.
Imagine this, I finally decided it was worthwhile to be friendly – after all, he had exactly what I wanted! It was just more than I wanted to pay. I paid the bill, grateful I could keep the car safe, and again thanked the Lord I wasn’t making high car payments!
Its amazing how poor, crippled, lame and blind we are at times, when the Lord throws us a banquet! Just look at the banquet of insight He gave to the group at the chief Pharisees’ house in Luke 14:1-14. (I know, I am picking up on his instruction to them – but I am amazed at His insight!)
Psalm 115:4,8 came to mind where it says that those who make idols are like them, and so are those that trust in them. (See especially verse 8.) “Yes, Lord,” I remonstrated, “I know.”
I am not very respectful when I can’t have my way! It seemed like my mother was with me telling me that I needed to enjoy the “humble pie”, whatever that means.
It occurred to me that I may have been subconsciously contributing to our 21st century problem. With a focus on the material, we have become so used to it, we forget Who provides the blessing in the first place.
The scripture is not against material things, but against a wrong view of them. A widow was provided oil; a student prophet experienced a floating axe head; the Israelites had the most nutritious wafers ever, called manna.
As I meditated, I began to realize that things like this drain spiritual stamina. It is so easy to become like my culture! When I do, it expects me to return the favor, and reproduce it, at its own price!
The gift of my most priceless possession, “integrity of heart” was being drained. I wasn’t happy to find the leak! I had worked thirteen years for an automotive supplier where it was against company policy to accept bribes for needed items and services, but I had still been bribed into feeling that automobiles were one of the main blessings of our culture. Where did that come from but my own heart? I am seeing every day that there is big blessing in realizing their ultimate cost as well.
Paul told Timothy, (and us), "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy." 1 Timothy 6:17 (ESV).
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
A PATH THROUGH THE STORM
My diary records that it was June 1st, 1970. We had been feverishly caring for the details of leaving Vryheid, Natal, South Africa, because furlough was due.
Last minute visits; farewell gatherings; taking our dog, Lassie, to someone to care for it while we were on furlough; (a hard time for us); sending off the last payment of a debt in South Africa I had been trying to pay off for two years, and so on.
All of a sudden a sense of urgency flooded over me concerning our impending trip, with all of the belongings we had to our name . . . what if it rains!
My emotions went into a whirl, beyond my personal control!
On an open pick-up truck, there is little hope for protection. In the midst of this sense of self-condemnation and fear, I went to a local shop and bought a plastic drop cloth – all I could afford. On the morning of departure, I secured it over the back of the truck, hopeful that this would help protect from the rain that was already beginning to fall. We packed under the cover of a large garage door, and left the loaded truck there, while our neighbors fed us breakfast.
The rain stopped. We began the trip in dry weather.
However, as we drove, the wind began to tear at the plastic. Soon portions of it were in shreds. The worst of my fears began to dominate my emotions . . . if it rained again, we were almost totally unprotected! I began to pray with our little family, that the Lord would get us through the storm. My head was beginning to pound with the stress.
It was black overhead, and in front of us. All of a sudden the pavement turned wet, and we began to see other vehicles coming towards us with windshield wipers on. There was no sign of rain on our windshield, but we were driving on wet pavement! After about a half-an-hour of driving, the storm completely cleared, and we were in sunshine. God had literally made a way through the storm!
Coincidental? If it was, it was perfectly timed! Miracle? Maybe, but others have experienced similar things. I would rather think that it was one of those bonuses that go along with being a child of God, in the ministry and spread of God’s Word, the Gospel. Unfortunately, I had found myself attempting to serve two masters – again – something Jesus warned against in Luke 16:13.
2 Timothy 2:9 says that the Word of God is not bound. If I happen to be the one bearing the Good News of that Word to someone – that Word has no chains or storm that will overcome it.
Do I mean to say that there will be no trouble in the Christian life? No! Otherwise the apostle Paul would not have suffered. But, whatever God felt Paul needed in his mission was safe, right along with him, unless God deemed it otherwise.
We had been the messengers of God’s Word and the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. God was going to take care of that Word.
Just this morning – 39 years later – I received an e-mail from a couple who were saved during that time in South Africa. They are thinking of coming to the U.S.A. to visit us. Friends come and go – but friends of Jesus – disciples – are forever!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
SHEEP NEED A SHEPHERD
It was getting dark and raining again, as we traveled on dirt road towards Mt. Frere, from Pondoland, South Africa. As we went around the hairpin curve, close to the bottom of the valley of a large mountain range, I suddenly realized I had gotten too close to the shoulder, where the muddy gravel had piled up. Before I knew it, the VW mini van was bogged down to the chassis!
We were stuck – even with chains on!
Our emotions were unruly as we assessed the situation. We had a newborn, Mark David, in the middle of a vast area unreached by the Gospel. We were miles from any town. We had been on a “holiday” visit with the missionaries at Good Hope Mission in Pondoland.
It had been a relaxing visit. Our hosts did everything to make our stay comfortable. As it neared time for us to leave, it began to rain, showing no signs of letting up. (We had thought we were going to miss the rainy season!)
The Good News of the Gospel seeks out the lost, but I, as a young husband and father was now the one needing to be found!
I was proud of the way I kept my word, so made the decision to go on to the next stop in our “holiday tour”, so we could get back to our home base. Unfortunately it was even against the advice of the resident missionaries.
However, they were kind enough to loan me a set of chains, as we set out to make the trip over the rugged mountains. (We had notified the missionaries at our destination of our intent.)
Between two mountain ranges, it can get very dark very quickly. Being miles from the nearest town, and rainy conditions, there was no traffic. We did see one car in about three hours, who cautiously passed us on higher ground. We asked them to let someone know our plight.
To mock our feelings, the only thing we could get on our short-wave radio was SABC, and a radio program called “The Creaking Door” – not really the best listening for our situation! (Plus, there was no public cell phone service in 1967!)
It was lonely, and it was frightening!
Hope dawned when I saw a set of headlights appear on the winding road ahead. It was the missionary from the other station, who had sensed we were in trouble. Several came with blankets, medical supplies, shovels, and anything else they could think of – not knowing if we were completely down an embankment or not!
They dug us out, and we followed them safely to the mission station!
This enforced the truth that “lostness” is not cured by merely keeping sheep in a sheep pen. Lostness is in the nature of sheep. (Isaiah 53:6) They need a shepherd. People need spiritual leadership – always! A missionary cannot corral his sheep while he takes a little holiday on the beach! People cannot be cured spiritually merely by getting together in a church, obeying a set of rules, and living happily ever after. Lostness is a universal condition that can be helped by that, but it is not the cure. Sheep always need a shepherd, and a shepherd needs to care for his sheep, even when he needs a holiday!
I was stuck in mud, because sheep get stuck in the mud of life! A part of the Good News of the Gospel is found in the simple truth that all authority is ordained by God, for the reward of those do well, and the punishment of those who do evil. (1 Peter 2:14)
My reputation with God as a shepherd was in question. God had alerted the local missionary to my flaw as he tried to keep both me (and my parishioners at home) from being stuck in the mud! (I could have humbled myself and waited long enough to place a phone call on the local “trunk” to someone to care for our responsibilities, but I was too proud to admit I was the one that was “lost”!) (Psalm 23:3)
As I share my life in this blog, there are some areas that can only be cured by remembering the nature of sheep, and the need of the Good Shepherd, Himself. He has given us His Word, hidden as treasure, in the Bible.
We were stuck – even with chains on!
Our emotions were unruly as we assessed the situation. We had a newborn, Mark David, in the middle of a vast area unreached by the Gospel. We were miles from any town. We had been on a “holiday” visit with the missionaries at Good Hope Mission in Pondoland.
It had been a relaxing visit. Our hosts did everything to make our stay comfortable. As it neared time for us to leave, it began to rain, showing no signs of letting up. (We had thought we were going to miss the rainy season!)
The Good News of the Gospel seeks out the lost, but I, as a young husband and father was now the one needing to be found!
I was proud of the way I kept my word, so made the decision to go on to the next stop in our “holiday tour”, so we could get back to our home base. Unfortunately it was even against the advice of the resident missionaries.
However, they were kind enough to loan me a set of chains, as we set out to make the trip over the rugged mountains. (We had notified the missionaries at our destination of our intent.)
Between two mountain ranges, it can get very dark very quickly. Being miles from the nearest town, and rainy conditions, there was no traffic. We did see one car in about three hours, who cautiously passed us on higher ground. We asked them to let someone know our plight.
To mock our feelings, the only thing we could get on our short-wave radio was SABC, and a radio program called “The Creaking Door” – not really the best listening for our situation! (Plus, there was no public cell phone service in 1967!)
It was lonely, and it was frightening!
Hope dawned when I saw a set of headlights appear on the winding road ahead. It was the missionary from the other station, who had sensed we were in trouble. Several came with blankets, medical supplies, shovels, and anything else they could think of – not knowing if we were completely down an embankment or not!
They dug us out, and we followed them safely to the mission station!
This enforced the truth that “lostness” is not cured by merely keeping sheep in a sheep pen. Lostness is in the nature of sheep. (Isaiah 53:6) They need a shepherd. People need spiritual leadership – always! A missionary cannot corral his sheep while he takes a little holiday on the beach! People cannot be cured spiritually merely by getting together in a church, obeying a set of rules, and living happily ever after. Lostness is a universal condition that can be helped by that, but it is not the cure. Sheep always need a shepherd, and a shepherd needs to care for his sheep, even when he needs a holiday!
I was stuck in mud, because sheep get stuck in the mud of life! A part of the Good News of the Gospel is found in the simple truth that all authority is ordained by God, for the reward of those do well, and the punishment of those who do evil. (1 Peter 2:14)
My reputation with God as a shepherd was in question. God had alerted the local missionary to my flaw as he tried to keep both me (and my parishioners at home) from being stuck in the mud! (I could have humbled myself and waited long enough to place a phone call on the local “trunk” to someone to care for our responsibilities, but I was too proud to admit I was the one that was “lost”!) (Psalm 23:3)
As I share my life in this blog, there are some areas that can only be cured by remembering the nature of sheep, and the need of the Good Shepherd, Himself. He has given us His Word, hidden as treasure, in the Bible.
Monday, September 7, 2009
I WAS JUST WALKING FOR EXERCISE
Having faith in God, I was convinced that the intersection was safe. The traffic light and walking sign were in my favor, and traffic was stopped – at least so I thought! All of a sudden the metallic grey Ford Escape started moving towards me. I thought, "What is he doing, trying to intimidate me into getting out of his way?" (I had previously experienced this while walking!) Only as he drove right into me, did I realize he was determined to make a right hand turn on red as traffic, (all but me), cleared, but that He did not see me.
"This can't be happening to me! Am I going to make it? Will he ever see me?"
The car nudged right into me. I fell on to the hood of the car. The slap of my hands on the hood startled the driver. He realized what was happening, and was horror-struck, realizing that he could have killed me, or severely injured me! As I safely walked away, he profusely apologized. Then he drove on.
The sheer irony of it all came through when I sensed both anger and sorrow for him all at the same time. I had seen the sheer horror written all over his face. He had not intended to run over me! He apologized profusely, through his closed window!
I had to forgive him, you see, because just a few weeks earlier I had accidentally run a red light myself, forgetting that the light at our corner is usually flashing when I leave for work, but not during the day! I had it coming! I had accidentally disobeyed a known law, and he had done the same. Was I going to forgive? You bet! Otherwise I wouldn't be qualified to be forgiven for my incident. Thank God I am still alive!
Faith is much more than declaring trust in Jesus in order to go to heaven. Thank God for that wonderful news. But faith governs our everyday experience. By implication I can assume that the eternal world will be much more than hanging out with angels and playing a harp for thousands of years!
A gentile centurion once trusted Jesus, a Jew, so much that he told him he had to just speak a word, and his servant would be healed. Jesus marveled at that, saying to those around, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” (Luke 7:9) Since he, himself, was under authority, he saw that Jesus was no different in his relationship to God. (Luke 7:8)
Jesus used this as an example of faith as it related to healing. He gave a mere word, (at a distance), and the servant was healed. We may safely conclude that there is protection in faith. For example, the apostle Paul used the protection of a shield from fiery darts as an example of faith as it related to quenching the fiery and injurious darts of the enemy. (Ephesians 6:16)
Since ordinances of man are given by God for punishment of evildoers, and the praise of those that do well, (1 Peter 2:13-14), we can safely assume that we can have “faith” in that, as we patiently walk in obedience. (Hebrews 10:36)
"This can't be happening to me! Am I going to make it? Will he ever see me?"
The car nudged right into me. I fell on to the hood of the car. The slap of my hands on the hood startled the driver. He realized what was happening, and was horror-struck, realizing that he could have killed me, or severely injured me! As I safely walked away, he profusely apologized. Then he drove on.
The sheer irony of it all came through when I sensed both anger and sorrow for him all at the same time. I had seen the sheer horror written all over his face. He had not intended to run over me! He apologized profusely, through his closed window!
I had to forgive him, you see, because just a few weeks earlier I had accidentally run a red light myself, forgetting that the light at our corner is usually flashing when I leave for work, but not during the day! I had it coming! I had accidentally disobeyed a known law, and he had done the same. Was I going to forgive? You bet! Otherwise I wouldn't be qualified to be forgiven for my incident. Thank God I am still alive!
Faith is much more than declaring trust in Jesus in order to go to heaven. Thank God for that wonderful news. But faith governs our everyday experience. By implication I can assume that the eternal world will be much more than hanging out with angels and playing a harp for thousands of years!
A gentile centurion once trusted Jesus, a Jew, so much that he told him he had to just speak a word, and his servant would be healed. Jesus marveled at that, saying to those around, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” (Luke 7:9) Since he, himself, was under authority, he saw that Jesus was no different in his relationship to God. (Luke 7:8)
Jesus used this as an example of faith as it related to healing. He gave a mere word, (at a distance), and the servant was healed. We may safely conclude that there is protection in faith. For example, the apostle Paul used the protection of a shield from fiery darts as an example of faith as it related to quenching the fiery and injurious darts of the enemy. (Ephesians 6:16)
Since ordinances of man are given by God for punishment of evildoers, and the praise of those that do well, (1 Peter 2:13-14), we can safely assume that we can have “faith” in that, as we patiently walk in obedience. (Hebrews 10:36)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
