Memorial Day is an important day for us to look at both as Americans and Christians, a day which we can acknowledge the sacrifice of so many who have given us the right to freedom within the walls of this nation. Albeit, these freedoms are many times misunderstood, warped, perverted, and ignored by the people of this nation, but it does not excuse us from recognizing those who have laid so heavy a price upon the alter of freedom for our benefit. Should we be a people of ignorance and trite sentiment simply because we drive nice cars, have big houses, pools in our back yards, good jobs, medical benefits, public education, and so much more than most of the others in the world? How do we so quickly fall away from the things we were founded upon? How far are we who understand going to simply stand by and watch as those few outspoken hippies who want us to forfeit our freedoms yell and scream about world events which they understand less about than they do the history of our own nation? I could ponder questions and frustrations all day without catching a breath; however, that is not why I exist or why I write today. I write that we might think on something a little more meaningful and more beneficial than our current political status. There are but three points I hope to ponder here on this day of remembrance: Why do we sacrifice? Why is thinking on it relevant? Why should it be honored and replicated?
We are approaching a day when none of these things will matter, the freedom that we so yearned for we will realize was just a concept which could never lastingly be obtained with respect to a worldly nation. What we have now and fight to maintain is not going to last forever, there will be a day when it will all fail. At times I don’t want to acknowledge the truth in this, but we must realize in that moment that we are but aliens in a foreign land. The freedom that we are seeking can be found here to some extent, but ONLY in Christ. He came to liberate us from bondage and to set us free from the law which required our eternal separation from God. In America we find much worth in the actions of a soldier who fights and dies to bring us political and financial freedom in the physical world that we live in; but in a much greater way we must realize that Jesus Christ came—fully God, fully Man—lived a perfect life, died a wicked and cruel death, raised from His tomb just as He had promised, and joined God in Heaven, all to serve as a means for us to obtain true Freedom. This Freedom, however is not political, financial, physical, or emotional, but spiritual and eternal. He has provided Freedom to all those who believe that He truly did what He said and who put their trust in Him to forgive the shortcomings in their lives. We all have these shortcomings and if we truly look inside and are honest with ourselves we know it is true that we are not ‘basically good’ at all. We are corrupt and full of evil desires and thoughts, even if we don’t act upon them. We also know that we cannot find happiness or contentment on our own…our money won’t buy it, our big houses won’t accommodate it, our new cars won’t stay shiny enough, our greatest joys will always be fleeting. BUT, I can promise you that God has NEVER failed me, He has always given me Hope for tomorrow, Peace for today, Comfort from the storms of my life, Food and Shelter enough for the day, and Joy which not the most cynical, satiric, or hate-filled soul could steal from me. I am not indicating that these things are the reason WHY someone should turn to Christ…IN FACT, I mean to say that despite these things we owe our allegiance, our lives, our future hopes and dreams, and our complete devotion because of who He is: our Creator, Sustainer, Lover, Redeemer, Almighty King, and Friend—our everything.
He has made us to be like Him; we praise the sacrifice of our soldiers in the cause of freedom and we weep when we think of those who have shed their blood so that we might have the right to be called Americans all because Christ shed His blood that we might be called sons and daughters. Think about this when you hear about our soldiers fighting for us today, some paying the ultimate price, because their sacrifice whether we like it or not points directly at Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us. Sometimes the Truth stings, but it is always sobering and brings us to a better understanding of who we are and what we are here for…think about it!
Monday, May 29, 2006
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
What does the Bible mean by salvation?
This is the singularly most important question one will have to answer in their life. The consequences of their answer are eternal. As Christians this becomes a very important subject for us, not only in our own salvation, but in the understanding and ability to explain the Bible’s true meaning. I guess that we should ask ourselves as Christians why so many people misunderstand or are turned away by the word ‘saved.’ The reason is simple; many of us do not understand ourselves what salvation truly is. We go through life knowing that God has made a difference in us, and even if we are trying to live righteous lives, many times we do not consider that dying world around us who desperately needs to know the truth about the salvation that has been extended to them.
First, we must establish what we are being saved from. Many may be thinking, “I know the answer, it is Hell, right?” Well, partially, but there is something much more fundamental than the fiery pit of despair that we hear so much about and see so much of on Primetime TV. Romans 3:23 says that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” We must understand that none of us are good enough to reach God on our own. Because of our sins there is an impassable chasm between where we are and God. There is a price that must be paid for the sin that we have. The bad news is that we cannot pay this debt; none of us are good enough to do this. We must understand that we are not saved because we are good or because we are better than any other person—all of us are wicked and deserve death and eternal separation from God. But, this is why Jesus came and paid the ultimate price for our salvation.
Next, we must understand what we are saved into. Because of God’s extreme love for us we have been grafted into his body. This may sound weird to non-Christians…well, I am sure that it does, but I am talking about a family, a relationship with the one who formed us ex nihilo-or “from nothing”. This family of God is called the Church. It is not some mystically connected group of people, but is closest resemblance of God that we can reach—at least in its ideal form. God is three entities in one, probably the most difficult things for a non-Christian to accept. This Trinity, as it is known, consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each aspect or entity of God lives together in perfect harmony with the others, wholly completing one another. This is the truest form of community or family and is the example which the Church is supposed to model.
Then, we must ask ourselves who and/or what is affected by salvation. This is a very inclusive answer but it is true, everything will be affected by salvation. When salvation is complete at the return of Christ we will see how separation from God has truly affected Creation. Romans 8:22-23 says, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” Everything in creation is eager for the fulfillment of our salvation.
So, is salvation an individual experience, or a corporate one? Truthfully the answer is both, because Christ has come and desires a personal, intimate relationship with each and every one of us. We are individually accountable for our decision to choose salvation; however, we many times see this it as only this. Salvation in many ways is more of a corporate event than an individual experience. I am not speaking of the present salvation that is being worked out in each of our lives, but the salvation of the Church, the restoration of God’s creation—which is in His image. I spoke about God as the Trinity before and that this is truly who God is. Being created in God’s image then means more than just our physical attributes, it means that we were made to reflect the community of the Trinity in the Church. This is the corporate salvation of the body of Christ, and we are its limbs.
What are the roles of the Trinity in our salvation? The Trinity is very actively involved in our salvation. As the Father, God set this plan in motion, creating a way for us to be restored to the fullness of a relationship with Him. As the Son, God came to Earth, lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and rising again He exacted power over death and the grave. As the Holy Spirit, God has come to guide and comfort us and giving us strength to complete the work that God has given us. Acts 1:8 says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Not only has God redeemed us, bringing us salvation in the face of eternal death, but He has commanded us to reach the world with this message.
Because of this command we must have a practical understanding of the role of the Church in salvation. Matthew 28:18-20 clearly outlines God’s desire for our lives: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” The Church is to be the support and the family, but it is called to reach the dying world around it with the true message of Christ’s salvation. Why is the world so confused about being ‘saved’? Why are so many jaded and embittered towards anything pertaining to Christianity? It is because the Church is not doing what it is supposed to do, it is not living as the community of believers that it is supposed to do. It is not reflecting God in its relationships within its own walls, much less to those outside of them. We must begin living as we have been called. We can no longer conform to the ways of the world. If we look at ourselves and see nothing different the world will see the same thing, and desire nothing of God. When will the redeemed of the Lord start living like the Gospel is true? When will those called by God stand and be counted among the throngs of needy souls? How long must we wait to see the truth of God consuming the hearts of people in every tribe and nation? It could be today, it could be with you, but it starts right now in each of our hearts.
First, we must establish what we are being saved from. Many may be thinking, “I know the answer, it is Hell, right?” Well, partially, but there is something much more fundamental than the fiery pit of despair that we hear so much about and see so much of on Primetime TV. Romans 3:23 says that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” We must understand that none of us are good enough to reach God on our own. Because of our sins there is an impassable chasm between where we are and God. There is a price that must be paid for the sin that we have. The bad news is that we cannot pay this debt; none of us are good enough to do this. We must understand that we are not saved because we are good or because we are better than any other person—all of us are wicked and deserve death and eternal separation from God. But, this is why Jesus came and paid the ultimate price for our salvation.
Next, we must understand what we are saved into. Because of God’s extreme love for us we have been grafted into his body. This may sound weird to non-Christians…well, I am sure that it does, but I am talking about a family, a relationship with the one who formed us ex nihilo-or “from nothing”. This family of God is called the Church. It is not some mystically connected group of people, but is closest resemblance of God that we can reach—at least in its ideal form. God is three entities in one, probably the most difficult things for a non-Christian to accept. This Trinity, as it is known, consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each aspect or entity of God lives together in perfect harmony with the others, wholly completing one another. This is the truest form of community or family and is the example which the Church is supposed to model.
Then, we must ask ourselves who and/or what is affected by salvation. This is a very inclusive answer but it is true, everything will be affected by salvation. When salvation is complete at the return of Christ we will see how separation from God has truly affected Creation. Romans 8:22-23 says, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” Everything in creation is eager for the fulfillment of our salvation.
So, is salvation an individual experience, or a corporate one? Truthfully the answer is both, because Christ has come and desires a personal, intimate relationship with each and every one of us. We are individually accountable for our decision to choose salvation; however, we many times see this it as only this. Salvation in many ways is more of a corporate event than an individual experience. I am not speaking of the present salvation that is being worked out in each of our lives, but the salvation of the Church, the restoration of God’s creation—which is in His image. I spoke about God as the Trinity before and that this is truly who God is. Being created in God’s image then means more than just our physical attributes, it means that we were made to reflect the community of the Trinity in the Church. This is the corporate salvation of the body of Christ, and we are its limbs.
What are the roles of the Trinity in our salvation? The Trinity is very actively involved in our salvation. As the Father, God set this plan in motion, creating a way for us to be restored to the fullness of a relationship with Him. As the Son, God came to Earth, lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and rising again He exacted power over death and the grave. As the Holy Spirit, God has come to guide and comfort us and giving us strength to complete the work that God has given us. Acts 1:8 says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Not only has God redeemed us, bringing us salvation in the face of eternal death, but He has commanded us to reach the world with this message.
Because of this command we must have a practical understanding of the role of the Church in salvation. Matthew 28:18-20 clearly outlines God’s desire for our lives: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” The Church is to be the support and the family, but it is called to reach the dying world around it with the true message of Christ’s salvation. Why is the world so confused about being ‘saved’? Why are so many jaded and embittered towards anything pertaining to Christianity? It is because the Church is not doing what it is supposed to do, it is not living as the community of believers that it is supposed to do. It is not reflecting God in its relationships within its own walls, much less to those outside of them. We must begin living as we have been called. We can no longer conform to the ways of the world. If we look at ourselves and see nothing different the world will see the same thing, and desire nothing of God. When will the redeemed of the Lord start living like the Gospel is true? When will those called by God stand and be counted among the throngs of needy souls? How long must we wait to see the truth of God consuming the hearts of people in every tribe and nation? It could be today, it could be with you, but it starts right now in each of our hearts.
Integrity
תּמים
tâmîym taw-meem'
Without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright (-ly), whole.
נכח
nâkôach naw-ko'-akh
Straightforward, that is, (figuratively), equitable, correct, or (abstractly), integrity: - plain, right, uprightness.
There are numerous references to integrity in the Word of God, forty times in the KJV the word INTEGRITY appears and this character quality is continually stressed throughout the rest of the text of the Bible. We look around us today and see a world in utter chaos, even Christianity faces the cries of hypocrisy and many doubt the existence of God at all. Why? Could it be that we have failed to live with integrity? Is it true that those who claim to be Christians have not lived upright lives? This is a gigantic problem facing the Church today. Are we the people that God has called us to be?! Are we even trying? Are we standing for what is right and true? Are moral values and integrity important in today's Christian culture? They should be of utmost importance, yet I fear that the worst is coming. If we do not embrace the calling of the Lord to rise up and live as people of integrity we will utterly fail to walk according to the guidance and teachings of Jesus Christ. We who have been redeemed have a reason to believe in principal, we have a cause to fight for, our selfish ambition and pent-up resentment for each other must be cast aside and we must embrace each other as brothers and sisters in Christ united in our resolve to live righteously. We must live with a spirit of affirmation, love and forgiveness. We must BE the body of Christ to the dying world around us. We cannot, we must not, waiver in our resolve to stand for what the Holy and Inspired Word of God tells us is right. We must cleanse our minds of the unholy drabble which is shoved at us with full force from the world around us and live so that the world will see that we are SALT bringing flavor to a tasteless and stale worldview. We must be LIGHT that the world can see the utter chaos which the lifestyle it promotes has brought on. We must STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN to the needs, the desires, the longing inside of the hearts around us - the only way we will change make an impact is if we LOVE. We have become a people so distraught over petty things - like dancing, and drinking, and inconsequential doctrinal differences - that we have neglected our first love (GOD) and embraced the very lifestyle that we abhor. We destroy the unity in the Church, we cause division between each other as children of God, and we try to control the life which we have given “wholly” to God. I find myself there frequently, grabbing up the reigns and attempting to guide my seemingly chaotic life back into line with God's Word. But, do you know what I always find? The more I fight to bring my life into accord with God's desires, the more off course I get.
tâmîym taw-meem'
Without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright (-ly), whole.
נכח
nâkôach naw-ko'-akh
Straightforward, that is, (figuratively), equitable, correct, or (abstractly), integrity: - plain, right, uprightness.
There are numerous references to integrity in the Word of God, forty times in the KJV the word INTEGRITY appears and this character quality is continually stressed throughout the rest of the text of the Bible. We look around us today and see a world in utter chaos, even Christianity faces the cries of hypocrisy and many doubt the existence of God at all. Why? Could it be that we have failed to live with integrity? Is it true that those who claim to be Christians have not lived upright lives? This is a gigantic problem facing the Church today. Are we the people that God has called us to be?! Are we even trying? Are we standing for what is right and true? Are moral values and integrity important in today's Christian culture? They should be of utmost importance, yet I fear that the worst is coming. If we do not embrace the calling of the Lord to rise up and live as people of integrity we will utterly fail to walk according to the guidance and teachings of Jesus Christ. We who have been redeemed have a reason to believe in principal, we have a cause to fight for, our selfish ambition and pent-up resentment for each other must be cast aside and we must embrace each other as brothers and sisters in Christ united in our resolve to live righteously. We must live with a spirit of affirmation, love and forgiveness. We must BE the body of Christ to the dying world around us. We cannot, we must not, waiver in our resolve to stand for what the Holy and Inspired Word of God tells us is right. We must cleanse our minds of the unholy drabble which is shoved at us with full force from the world around us and live so that the world will see that we are SALT bringing flavor to a tasteless and stale worldview. We must be LIGHT that the world can see the utter chaos which the lifestyle it promotes has brought on. We must STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN to the needs, the desires, the longing inside of the hearts around us - the only way we will change make an impact is if we LOVE. We have become a people so distraught over petty things - like dancing, and drinking, and inconsequential doctrinal differences - that we have neglected our first love (GOD) and embraced the very lifestyle that we abhor. We destroy the unity in the Church, we cause division between each other as children of God, and we try to control the life which we have given “wholly” to God. I find myself there frequently, grabbing up the reigns and attempting to guide my seemingly chaotic life back into line with God's Word. But, do you know what I always find? The more I fight to bring my life into accord with God's desires, the more off course I get.
The reason is that I do not have the power or the foresight to do this monumental task. I could not save myself from the sin which separated me from knowing God. I could not span the gap between the Father and myself. Not with all of the technology or money, experience or knowledge, fear or doubt could I bring myself even one step closer to a relationship with God. So why do I think I can do it now? I can't and neither can you. Only by the Gracious Blood of Christ can the gap be bridged from my broken and sinful heart to the throne of God; likewise, neither can I gain a foothold in the right direction without first going to the author of my faith and the perfector of my ways. He is the Guide, the Search and Rescue team, He was waiting on me to grab His hand and say, "Okay God, I'm willing to let go...here is control...really, you've got it all. I trust in Your guidance and know that Your desires for my life are far and above any plans that I could make. Break me oh God, make my life a perfect reflection of you. Tear all of me down, destroy me, decimate my inmost being, that I may then be built completely on your firm and never faltering foundation. Be Glorified in my life that Your name would be lifted high above all things and that the farthest reaches of the Earth will know that You are God, Creator, Master, Lover of our Souls, Alpha and Omega, the King of Kings, He who is and is to come, our Redeemer, our Keeper, our Protector, our Comforter, our Shield, our High Tower, and our friend. Bless your name forever and may Your Glory be known in me each day. Amen!"
Integrity is one of those things which cannot be quested for, it must be lived out and practiced. It must be focused upon in every aspect of one's life, that it may be seen and that God may receive glory for the character that He has placed and grown within one's life. I pray that we
would become a people of integrity, a world of integrity, and most imperatively a Church - a BODY - of integrity. The world is looking for someone to lead, will we?
Some scriptural references:
Deu 9:51, Ki 3:6 1, Ki 9:42, Ch 19:9, Job 1:1, Job 1:8, Job 2:3, Job 2:9, Job 4:6, Job 8:20, Job 27:5, Job 31:6, Psa 7:8, Psa 25:21, Psa 26:1, Psa 26:11, Psa 41:12, Psa 51:6, Psa 84:11, Psa 101:2, Psa 101:6, Psa 145:18, Pro 1:3, Pro 2:7, Pro 2:21, Pro 10:9, Pro 11:3, Pro 13:6, Pro 14:2, Pro 19:1, Pro 20:7, Pro 28:6, Pro 28:18, Amo 5:10, Tit 2:7
Deu 9:51, Ki 3:6 1, Ki 9:42, Ch 19:9, Job 1:1, Job 1:8, Job 2:3, Job 2:9, Job 4:6, Job 8:20, Job 27:5, Job 31:6, Psa 7:8, Psa 25:21, Psa 26:1, Psa 26:11, Psa 41:12, Psa 51:6, Psa 84:11, Psa 101:2, Psa 101:6, Psa 145:18, Pro 1:3, Pro 2:7, Pro 2:21, Pro 10:9, Pro 11:3, Pro 13:6, Pro 14:2, Pro 19:1, Pro 20:7, Pro 28:6, Pro 28:18, Amo 5:10, Tit 2:7
Ever Trusting
“Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey all the law…that you may be successful wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7)
This command is repeated over and over throughout the book of Joshua and was a great source of encouragement and guidance as the people of Israel moved into the Promised Land and took possession of what God had delivered to them. More and more each day I am growing to understand God’s faithfulness, just as Joshua was seeing the active hand of God as he led God’s people in battle I am seeing a daily direction and comfort from He who knows the ways of all man. I began reading Joshua this summer and was awed at the Greatness and Power of our ever Faithful God. As the summer has progressed however I am starting to see this attribute of God (faithfulness) in a whole new light.
In the beginning I was simply hopeful for a continuation of work with my employer. My wife and I had been extremely blessed as we were taken on by Stonecroft Conference Center to be a part of their summer youth staff. The opportunity to work with my new wife in ministry right after marriage was something that I was extremely excited about and we came running into it wholeheartedly, all of the time hoping that there would be the possibility of future employment for myself as she was not yet through her undergraduate degree. Sure enough, before long the summer had been going well and the opportunity for me to continue working at Stonecroft became a real possibility. I knew that Stonecroft was being sold, as the ministry headquarters had redirected and was phasing out this part of their ministry, but had full confidence that despite this occurrence God was providing. The job would at least be lasting until December which would coincidentally coincide with my wife’s completion of her degree. What an answer to prayer. God was truly being faithful and I was starting to see it in a new and fresh way in my life. But God was just beginning to show me how faithful He truly is.
As the summer progressed and the activity and energy began to wean, I found myself continually coming to God for strength and praising Him for the freshness He had been giving the staff despite the daunting future which was looming overhead. The fact that the conference center was selling was a huge issue. Many of the families involved in the ministry there had shifted their lives completely to serve there and now everything they had worked so hard for was being stripped from underneath them. The worst part was that the whole time it looked as if the center was probably going to sell to the ‘highest bidder’ and not necessarily go into the hands of another ministry. Consequently, all of the staff would probably loose their jobs there and would have to relocate their families and start over. But what I saw was very inspiring, I saw the hearts of people who serve others wholeheartedly, I saw what we are truly supposed to be like if we Trust in God. I saw people who made this the best summer yet because that is what God would have them do. They were strong and courageous, not yielding to the temptation which even I felt as a new employee to simply give what you had to make it work and nothing more. But that is not what we were called to do, and that is not what happened. We gave to those families, some who had been coming to that place for almost twenty years, who had raised their children and some their grandchildren there in those beautiful Ozark hills, and my heart mourned with them at the seeming loss of a place which had not only been a restful retreat to some but the place where for the first time they met God.
And this too was not the only challenge of the summer, for as I said I am continuing to grow in my understanding and in my leaning on the faithfulness of God. Only two months after our marriage, while working at that conference center, my wife and I found that we were pregnant. What a surprise and what a reality check. Here I had committed to a job which I was very thankful that God had provided, but in reality I had no security. Rationally there was no way to believe that there would be a job for me after December … and the baby would be due sometime in March. But, God had been preparing me to hear this news and when it came He allowed me to feel joy instead of fear and confidence rather than dread. I knew He would be faithful and I knew that our needs would be met – even if it were not in the ways that I had previously imagined.
At times it seems amazing at how good God is to us, but in reality any goodness He shows is undeserved and reveals to us His true character. I have been working now for about seven months at a job that God has provided at Haggar Clothing Company as the 2nd Assistant Manager. I had wondered for so long how we were going to be able to make it on just one income and no insurance, but God has again shown His face. He has provided for us every step of the way, from jobs to housing and a way to pay for the baby. It is incredible just to think of all of the things that have happened to keep us afloat, but I guess that it should not surprise me that God is faithful. Occasionally I find myself worried about what is coming, about what job will be next, how I will be able to provide for my family, if I will be a good father, when I will be able to complete my degrees, what God would have me do with my life…the list seems endless. But, realizing God’s faithfulness is the only way to enjoy and move forward with what is going on now.
Daily I find that He is with us, guiding and protecting us, preparing us for what is to come. The hardest part of where we are at now—at least for me—is watching my wife struggle through these last weeks of pregnancy. It has been very difficult on her and I can do nothing to help which is a trying experience. I am torn because I desire for my wife to feel well, but I also hope for the healthiest child that is possible. I love them both dearly and want what is best for them both, it is good that I can trust in God because my own understanding is nothing helpful.
Soon, I will be looking into the face of my child, flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone. I will have the opportunity to get to know a young lady, to instruct and teach, to raise and love … I can already feel the pressure of being a father. I want the best for my child and I want to give her every advantage possible, but above all I want to show her Christ through a life devoted to Him. I know that the charge on my life, the magnitude of this calling, is immense to say the least and I cannot say that it is not daunting. In fact I do believe that it scares me stupid to realize that this little one will be looking at my flawed and imperfect life to see a reflection of my God. I only hope that my will and heart are so yielding to God that I might be able to teach her about how Glorious and Amazing our God truly is. I can only hope that by God’s incredible grace that she comes into a committed relationship with Him. This is my heart’s desire above all things. This is the most important legacy that a man can leave – that he lived life in such a way that those who truly know Him would have no doubt as to who God is and that the only logical and true response to this knowledge is complete abandon of the world and unbridled embrace of Christ.
This command is repeated over and over throughout the book of Joshua and was a great source of encouragement and guidance as the people of Israel moved into the Promised Land and took possession of what God had delivered to them. More and more each day I am growing to understand God’s faithfulness, just as Joshua was seeing the active hand of God as he led God’s people in battle I am seeing a daily direction and comfort from He who knows the ways of all man. I began reading Joshua this summer and was awed at the Greatness and Power of our ever Faithful God. As the summer has progressed however I am starting to see this attribute of God (faithfulness) in a whole new light.
In the beginning I was simply hopeful for a continuation of work with my employer. My wife and I had been extremely blessed as we were taken on by Stonecroft Conference Center to be a part of their summer youth staff. The opportunity to work with my new wife in ministry right after marriage was something that I was extremely excited about and we came running into it wholeheartedly, all of the time hoping that there would be the possibility of future employment for myself as she was not yet through her undergraduate degree. Sure enough, before long the summer had been going well and the opportunity for me to continue working at Stonecroft became a real possibility. I knew that Stonecroft was being sold, as the ministry headquarters had redirected and was phasing out this part of their ministry, but had full confidence that despite this occurrence God was providing. The job would at least be lasting until December which would coincidentally coincide with my wife’s completion of her degree. What an answer to prayer. God was truly being faithful and I was starting to see it in a new and fresh way in my life. But God was just beginning to show me how faithful He truly is.
As the summer progressed and the activity and energy began to wean, I found myself continually coming to God for strength and praising Him for the freshness He had been giving the staff despite the daunting future which was looming overhead. The fact that the conference center was selling was a huge issue. Many of the families involved in the ministry there had shifted their lives completely to serve there and now everything they had worked so hard for was being stripped from underneath them. The worst part was that the whole time it looked as if the center was probably going to sell to the ‘highest bidder’ and not necessarily go into the hands of another ministry. Consequently, all of the staff would probably loose their jobs there and would have to relocate their families and start over. But what I saw was very inspiring, I saw the hearts of people who serve others wholeheartedly, I saw what we are truly supposed to be like if we Trust in God. I saw people who made this the best summer yet because that is what God would have them do. They were strong and courageous, not yielding to the temptation which even I felt as a new employee to simply give what you had to make it work and nothing more. But that is not what we were called to do, and that is not what happened. We gave to those families, some who had been coming to that place for almost twenty years, who had raised their children and some their grandchildren there in those beautiful Ozark hills, and my heart mourned with them at the seeming loss of a place which had not only been a restful retreat to some but the place where for the first time they met God.
And this too was not the only challenge of the summer, for as I said I am continuing to grow in my understanding and in my leaning on the faithfulness of God. Only two months after our marriage, while working at that conference center, my wife and I found that we were pregnant. What a surprise and what a reality check. Here I had committed to a job which I was very thankful that God had provided, but in reality I had no security. Rationally there was no way to believe that there would be a job for me after December … and the baby would be due sometime in March. But, God had been preparing me to hear this news and when it came He allowed me to feel joy instead of fear and confidence rather than dread. I knew He would be faithful and I knew that our needs would be met – even if it were not in the ways that I had previously imagined.
At times it seems amazing at how good God is to us, but in reality any goodness He shows is undeserved and reveals to us His true character. I have been working now for about seven months at a job that God has provided at Haggar Clothing Company as the 2nd Assistant Manager. I had wondered for so long how we were going to be able to make it on just one income and no insurance, but God has again shown His face. He has provided for us every step of the way, from jobs to housing and a way to pay for the baby. It is incredible just to think of all of the things that have happened to keep us afloat, but I guess that it should not surprise me that God is faithful. Occasionally I find myself worried about what is coming, about what job will be next, how I will be able to provide for my family, if I will be a good father, when I will be able to complete my degrees, what God would have me do with my life…the list seems endless. But, realizing God’s faithfulness is the only way to enjoy and move forward with what is going on now.
Daily I find that He is with us, guiding and protecting us, preparing us for what is to come. The hardest part of where we are at now—at least for me—is watching my wife struggle through these last weeks of pregnancy. It has been very difficult on her and I can do nothing to help which is a trying experience. I am torn because I desire for my wife to feel well, but I also hope for the healthiest child that is possible. I love them both dearly and want what is best for them both, it is good that I can trust in God because my own understanding is nothing helpful.
Soon, I will be looking into the face of my child, flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone. I will have the opportunity to get to know a young lady, to instruct and teach, to raise and love … I can already feel the pressure of being a father. I want the best for my child and I want to give her every advantage possible, but above all I want to show her Christ through a life devoted to Him. I know that the charge on my life, the magnitude of this calling, is immense to say the least and I cannot say that it is not daunting. In fact I do believe that it scares me stupid to realize that this little one will be looking at my flawed and imperfect life to see a reflection of my God. I only hope that my will and heart are so yielding to God that I might be able to teach her about how Glorious and Amazing our God truly is. I can only hope that by God’s incredible grace that she comes into a committed relationship with Him. This is my heart’s desire above all things. This is the most important legacy that a man can leave – that he lived life in such a way that those who truly know Him would have no doubt as to who God is and that the only logical and true response to this knowledge is complete abandon of the world and unbridled embrace of Christ.
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