Not for Sundays only

On May 21, 2008 the family of Steven Curtis Chapman, one of contemporary Christian music's best known performers, experienced the kind of tragedy that fills nightmares. Little Maria Chapman, 5, a daughter adopted from China as an infant, ran out to greet her 17 year old brother as he returned home. She ran directly into the path of the vehicle he was driving and he ran over her! She died at the hospital moments later. On a recent broadcast of ABC's Good Morning America, Chapman told this little detail of the story. "Chapman, who immediately got into his car to go to the hospital, had the presence of mind to roll down his window and speak to his inconsolable son Will before leaving. "I really don't remember this," he said about the moments directly following the accident. "It was, actually, Dave -- Uncle Dave that told me. He said, 'You rolled the window down and just, very loudly yelled really... with as much strength as you could muster and just said, 'Will Franklin, your father loves you.'" - http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=5519704&page=2

Watching the Chapman's talk about their loss, their grief, and their family's deepening love, I saw Christianity in action. No one can explain why God allowed Maria to die that awful day, but anyone can see the benefit of great faith that produces love and hope. What I really appreciated about the report was the authenticity of the Chapman's faith. They didn't trumpet the name of Jesus or quote a million verses of the Bible. They didn't pretend that they understood what happened. But, they showed amazing love - for God and for each other. What a contrast to those who experience similar tragedy and are forced to grieve without faith's hope, who are so often consumed by rage. Statistics show that more than half of couples who lose a little child to death through accident, later go through divorce.

The Chapman's have a faith that is not for Sundays only, it is for real life. Their faith is not for show, not for social convention, not mere tradition. It is a working faith, robust and encompassing every part of life- good and bad.

The story reported on the brother's response as well. "For the three oldest Chapman children, Emily, Caleb and Will, healing comes through counseling, faith and the unwavering love of family. "Obviously it's been really hard, you know, just the past couple months," said Will about his sister's death. Will described his siblings' show of support and love: "I started running after the accident, you know, and started just running away from the house. And I remember Caleb was the first one to run and kind of just jump on me and hold me. And then Shaoey was right there by him."

"To me, you know, that meant a ton... I didn't really want to be at the house, I just wanted to be away. And I was just freaking out," Will continued. In addition to his supportive family, Will also turned to faith to help him through. "I've gotten str-- a stronger faith through all this, you know, and more faith through all this. But then there's those days, you know, that just hit you and you're just, like, 'Oh, man, this is just awful.' But-- you just gotta continue to choose to live. And that's the faith that, that continues to keep me going, you know." - http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=5519704&page=3

Believer, are you living in faith?
Are you worshipping, praying, loving, and living in a way that demonstrates reverence and love for God right now? The time will come when your faith will be tested. Make it strong, send your roots deep into God and His community called the Church.

Jesus Christ explains working faith with this simple metaphor.

"These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

"But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards." (Matthew 7:24-27, The Message) __________________

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4, NIV)