Jesus Christ – Page 9

February 27, 2019 | Leave a Comment

No time to worry

Here on the high plains, we live with drought: the threat of drought, the aftermath of drought, the reality of drought.

A few years ago, as we were heading into fall after a summer with no more than a spit’s worth of rain, I found myself standing in the church before worship with a rancher.

“Well,” he said, “it’s gotta rain eventually.”

Several more women and men nearby echoed the same statement in variously hushed tones. “It’s gotta, it’s gotta… gotta.. rain…rain… eventually… rain eventually.”

If anyone has reason to worry, it has got to be those families whose livelihoods depend absolutely on factors that are completely out of their control.

Worry is a funny thing. Did you know that it comes from the Old English word wyrgan which means to strangle? Have you ever been there, so choked with some fear that it felt as though I couldn’t breathe?

I have. Remember Chandler’s girlfriend Janice on Friends? Remember her voice? I can’t forget it because it’s exactly like the voice inside my head when I worry: high, screeching, and non-ignorable.

A couple of Tuesdays ago, I woke up with Janice screeching in my ear. My daughter’s getting ready to head to college, and I’m struggling to get my head around the price of tuition. “You can’t afford it,” Janice cried, “She won’t get the financial aid. Her dreams will be ruined. You’ve failed as parents…” You get the idea. Her voice cried on, as my heart raced and my throat constricted.

Jesus’ teaching on worry can be summed up in just three words: Don’t do it.

He teaches, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’…But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:31-34)

It’s definitely easier said than done, but it’s do-able with God’s help. Like anything, it takes practice. When worry begins, when the strangling feeling starts, when Janice’s voice rings loudly, we pause. We choose to think instead on God, God’s promises, and all the ways in which God has provided in the past and will provide again in the future.

This afternoon, even as I write, I have too much to do and not enough time to do it. Church members, family, friends, students, or all of the above–I could disappoint them all. Or I can trust that there’s always enough time to do what needs to get done as long as I’m not worrying about not having enough time. And God will provide, and all will be well.

After all, it has to rain eventually. And my daughter will go to college. And all will be well. It really will.

January 24, 2019 | Leave a Comment

Finding the right words

In the summer of 1997, I was hired by Westminster Presbyterian Church in Belleville Illinois to run a summer outreach program to the apartment complex adjacent to the church property. Many of the folks in our part of Belleville were from big extended families that had migrated from the south. They had thick southern accents.

One day, a mom had walked her son at the church and we could see that her eye was swollen, almost shut. Can we help you? “Some-um my eye,” she said. Okay, okay. I walked with her into the church and got the first aid kit out. We had eye wash cups. I gave her one and stayed to help her use it. Her eye was still swollen, but better. Before she left, though, she stopped.

“Ha yu be say,” she said. What?

“Ha yuuuu beee say,” she said a little louder. I’m sorry, ma’am. What did you say?

She’s looking at me like I’m an idiot at this point. Finally, “Haw you (I got that word) say-ved.”

“Have I been saved?” I said. “Yah!” she exclaimed. “Yes,” I replied, much to her relief. “I’ve been saved.” And we exchanged goodbyes, and she left.

I remember thinking it was such a strange question. I mean, after all, I was working at a church. Why would she ask someone at a church if they’d been saved? But, it’s also just a really strange question for me, because that’s not how I speak about my relationship with Jesus.

Ask me, “Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior?” I can say yes without reservation. “Do you put your trust in Jesus?” Yes. “Do I believe He is the Son of God, died and risen for all humankind?” Yes.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,” Jesus commanded his followers (Matthew 28:19), so we are called to find our own way to speak of who Jesus is and what He has done for us.

A good place to find the right words is in scripture. Jesus is Son of God, Savior, Lord, and Messiah. Some dear people find their words for Jesus in hymns and praise songs. How great Thou art, my Savior God to Thee. Christ is alone is Cornerstone.

However and wherever we find the words, I encourage us to find them. As recipients of the grace and great benefit of trust in Jesus Christ, why would we not want to share it with our family, friends, neighbors, and anyone sorely in need of the confidence and courage that comes with faith?

November 15, 2017 | Leave a Comment

Shalom

It’s Wednesday. Leaves are falling from the tree outside my office window. They come down in bunches with every swift breeze. When not falling, the leaves still on the branches shimmer with a quality of light that is beautiful.

Yet, the day is unsettled for me and for many. There’s some fear in the air this week, alongside a waft of meanness from another direction. Fear is a natural and appropriate response to threat, especially when it’s our children who are threatened. We can’t make fear our dwelling place, though; fear makes us stupid. Fear makes us hard. There is nothing beautiful in fear.

At the end of a phone conversation a few moments ago, a friend prayed for peace. “For shalom,” she prayed, “we ask You, God.”

Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace. It’s the word God uses to offer a blessing upon His people: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:26-27)

Shalom is the word used by the psalmist to describe the arrival of salvation when God’s glory dwells in the land: Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.” (Psalm 85:10)

Finally and most powerfully for me on this windy day, shalom is the Name given to the coming Messiah: “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Thanksgiving is near, and Christmas is around the corner. We’ll be celebrating the birth of this Prince of Peace again very soon.

The Prince of Peace speaks into our fears. In fact, before Jesus is even born, the stories tell of the angel Gabriel having to tell just about everyone not to fear. Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph all hear, “Do not be afraid.” All wonder why, but all obey.

At the birth of Christ, when the promise made by Isaiah was fulfilled, a new reality came into being, a reality in which the world for all its brokenness can no longer bring us ultimate harm.

No police force, no government, no armory, can promise us such perfect security. Only Christ can and does.

Tomorrow is Thursday, a new day. Today’s wind brought warmer temperatures, almost 80 degrees is forecast in mid-November. More leaves will fall. And we will, by God’s grace, let go of our fear and choose peace.

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