The other virus

In all the talk about ‘the’ virus, a few make glancing reference to another challenge that Americans will face in coming months. Despair! Most of the support systems that keep humans healthy are curtailed right now – family gatherings, traditional celebrations, and church worship. When we are isolated, if we lose sight of the future, we can slip into despair and it can kill, too.  

 A century ago, (1915-1918) during the first world war and the influenza pandemic that followed it, the death rate rose in the US steeply. The common thread in many of those deaths was not physical. People were dying because they had lost hope.

Christian, I have good news and a challenge for us. We are people whose hope has deep roots in an unchanging faith and we have the privilege of sharing that hope with others. The inspired writer of Hebrews explains that "God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.

We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us." (Hebrews 6:18-20, The Message)

Hope is born out of faith. There is a direct relationship of depth of our confidence to face an uncertain future and our faith in God’s ability to keep us. Oh, I hear you as you ask, “Jerry, why doesn’t God just remove all my doubts?” Because even if He wrote in the sky, without faith, we would find an alternative explanation. Woody Allen once joked that he would believe “If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name at a Swiss Bank.” No, he wouldn’t. He would assume a bank error or a secret benefactor! 
Faith is a choice that rests on the anticipation of God’s promise. "For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." (Romans 8:24-25, NIV)

Let me remind you that faith and doubt are the two sides of the same coin, so to speak. As rational beings, we look around and find things that defy our understanding, things are hard to reconcile with what we learned in Sunday School, when life was simpler and painted in primary colors. But that doubt can, if we choose, lead us to faith in a Person, trusting Jesus to be Savior, Forgiver, Healer, and Life. I find it compelling that Jesus made no arguments about faith, the existence of God, or even His own divinity. Instead, He said, “Look at what I say and do and trust Me!” 

As life has unraveled rapidly in a month’s time, many Christians awakened to the realization that they were coasting along on assumptions, borrowed belief, and pop theology that was largely superficial. It is hard to come to grips with the fact that we loved Jesus more for the ‘good life’ we assumed was our birthright as His disciples than for simply Who He is. Hard questions are being asked, soul searching is beginning.

It is time to go back to the foundation of faith. We must turn our hearts and minds to Christ Jesus. The next step is to integrate what we profess to believe about Him into the daily choices we make – ‘grabbing the promised hope with both hands.’  When we do this, hope grows in us and it is contagious.

Next Sunday, we celebrate our core hope – the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Paul says that this event seals the deal for us. After a long chapter about why he believes in life beyond this present life, in which he explains why his faith rests on the historicity of that first Easter, he tells us: "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:57-58, NIV)

Are you struggling with despair? Face it and reach up and out. God hears even the wordless sighs. Tell someone you trust and love that you’re fearful, that you cannot see tomorrow. I pray they are wise enough to listen, love, and wait with you without the need to provide a quick solution.

I know you are not me, but I offer my life-long experience with faith as an encouragement. For more than 50 years I have walked with Jesus, through some glorious days and some dark valleys. My faith is not evidence of intellect, personal discipline, or strength of character. That I am full of hope is evidence of His gift of grace and love. He has kept me through failure, a major depression in mid-life, in the loss of my beloved wife. He is my hope. Is He yours?

The word from the Word comes to us from 2^nd Timothy, Paul’s last letter, sent from death row. He urges us to take hold of Jesus, our Great Hope.  "Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we disown him, he will also disown us;
if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
Keep reminding them of these things.
Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen." (2 Timothy 2:10-14, NIV)

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40

(U2 sings Psalm 40)

I waited patiently for the Lord

He inclined and heard my cry

He set my feet upon a rock

And made my footsteps firm

Many will see

Many will see and fear

I will sing - sing a new song

I will sing - sing a new song

How long to sing this song?

How long to sing this song?

How long? How long? How long?

How long to sing this song?

Oh Lord I wait, I wait on You

And I will sing, I'll sing this song

Oh Lord I wait, I wait on You

And I will sing, I'll sing this song

(from the 40th Psalm)

Forty (40)

Paul Hewson, Larry Mullen

CCLI License No. 810055

Somebody please make me happy!

The empty refrigerator made a trip to the grocery store necessary yesterday. As I pulled into the parking lot, I prayed for God’s grace to be evident in me, knowing that this time is not always bringing out the best in people. I made a point of offering a word of thanks to each employee; not a speech, not interrupting them. I just simply said, “Thanks for keeping us fed and supplied. God bless you, friend.”  Their faces brightened for a moment. It was a conscious choice to be other-centered – and in those simple exchanges I found joy!

At the risk of sounding like a lecturing Grandpa, I want to urge you to set aside Self, to consciously think about the people around you, their needs, their emotions. Being cooped up in a house with one another, it does not take much to raise the levels of irritation to intolerable levels, does it?  Kids that are arguing, a spouse that thoughtlessly adds to the clutter by leaving his stuff lying around, her desire to watch another Hallmark movie, that hurtful remark about the way you look … it can be a long list of sources of aggravation. It is compounded by worry about where all this ends, about how we will end up financially, if someone we love will get sick. We are tempted to complain and say, “Won’t somebody just please make me happy?”

What’s needed in that moment is a different perspective. A long time ago, I used to sing a little song in Sunday School that said, “Jesus and Others and You, what a wonderful way to spell JOY.” It’s true that when we stop thinking about ourselves and serve others selflessly, WE gain a spiritual benefit. We create a place for God’s joy to grow in us. The opposite is also true. The more focused we are on our own needs, on how much we want to be happy, the deeper our misery becomes.

Christian, joy is an evidence of the life of the Spirit in us. In Galatians 5, where we read of the character of the Christian, we find that little word- JOY – right after LOVE.  Let’s not confuse giddy happiness with true joy. You know that, but keep it front and center in your mind as you pray for the ‘joy of the Lord’ to flow from you. Is Christ Lord of your life? Are you prepared to make Him Lord of your emotions, too?

In James 1, I found my meditation this morning. As you read it, do not allow the familiarity to rob the words of their impact. "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking." (James 1:2-5, NLT)  In the NIV that opening line is “consider it pure joy whenever you face trials.”

Why can we choose to be joyful in times of trouble?

Because God assures us that these days serve a real purpose of making spiritual muscle. When we choose to allow the Spirit to work in us, when we are humble enough to admit our need, to put aside our personal desires we become ‘mature,’ growing a faith that is able to endure, ‘ready for anything.’ This flies in the face of our culture that encourages self-indulgence. Increasingly we confuse minor inconvenience with real catastrophe. God help us, truly.

In our pursuit of God’s joy, there is one thing that will surely block the way - trying to assume control of everything in life. When we make a little gods of ourselves life will inevitably become full of irritation over pressure, people, and problems! Trust this and live it - God rules. Nothing that is happening to you right now is a surprise to Him.   

When faith grows, joy grows. “Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." (Isaiah 46:8-10, NIV)

Here’s a word from the Word. Let it draw a smile to your face as it rebirths joy in your heart.  "Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, … And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (Philippians 1:3-6, NLT)

Jesus,

Others,

You -  what a wonderful way to spell JOY!

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Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee (Ode To Joy)
(a great presentation of this wonderful hymn by Michael W. Smith)

Joyful joyful we adore Thee

God of glory Lord of love

Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee

Opening to the sun above

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness

Drive the dark of doubt away

Giver of immortal gladness

Fill us with the light of day

All Thy works with joy surround Thee

Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays

Stars and angels sing around Thee

Center of unbroken praise

Field and forest vale and mountain

Flowery meadow flashing sea

Chanting bird and flowing fountain

Call us to rejoice in Thee

Thou art giving and forgiving

Ever blessing ever blest

Wellspring of the joy of living

Ocean depth of happy rest

Thou our Father Christ our Brother

All who live in love are Thine

Teach us how to love each other

Lift us to the joy divine

Mortals join the mighty chorus

Which the morning stars began

Father love is reigning o'er us

Brother love binds man to man

Ever singing march we onward

Victors in the midst of strife

Joyful music lifts us sunward

In the triumph song of life

Edward Hodges | Henry Van Dyke | Ludwig van Beethoven

© Words: Public Domain

More trouble, more grace

Here we are heading into a new week, Monday morning of Holy Week, but I am not feeling the same kind of anticipation known in past years. When I awakened today, my first thoughts were for those sick, those fearful, those alone in crisis. There in the darkness of the predawn I chose to turn my heart to my God. “Lord, what of this? How do we meet this challenge? Will You heal my friends, bring Your powerful restoration to this broken world?”  In my meditation, this was His word – “My grace is sufficient.”  It is a great phrase, but so much more than a Hallmark™ greeting!  

I am certain that I am not the only person who is struggling to keep my footing in this mess of a pandemic. If you are feeling dread, if you are fearful, if you are anxious – there is courage to be found in this declaration -  “My grace is sufficient.”

Let’s explore it together. St. Paul was struggling with a “thorn in the flesh.” "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.” He does not tell us what that was, but from context we can conclude that something was making his life hard, bringing him discomfort. He says that he prayed three times for God to heal him but instead of healing, the Spirit gave him this word. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:7-10, NIV)

“Grace” is a translation of a rich word in the original text about the goodness of God, His favor, a gift that changes us by filling us with the joy and wholeness that is the very nature of God.
And, what He offers to us is “sufficient,” enough to meet the challenge, all the resource needed!

Paul’s response to that revelation was surrender to God’s will and acceptance of his own weakness. He isn’t whining about his misery, nor is he fishing for comfort from others. He realized that his own inability to overcome that thing that was causing him such pain, was a way that God was inviting him to rely on a power outside of himself, the powerful Presence of the Spirit. At the point of the death of his self-will, God was able to step in, give him a quality of life he could never have achieved for himself.

God’s word for me, for you, this Monday is  “My grace is sufficient.”  He is more than enough. He is peace. He is life. He is love. As you pray today start with a confession of your need – but instead of demanding that He change your world – invite Him to pour Himself into you, changing YOU. Offer him your surrender, not resigning to fate, but allowing Him to make the sorrow, the hardship, an opening through which His gifts can flow into your heart.

Yes, “My grace is sufficient.”

Here is a word from the Word. "We are confident that as you share in suffering, you will also share God’s comfort. I think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead. And he did deliver us from mortal danger. And we are confident that he will continue to deliver us." (2 Corinthians 1:7-10, NLT)