Again: More than just thoughts and prayers

Ten months ago, I wrote the following post after the Uvalde school shooting. This past week, a similar tragedy occurred in Nashville. The names and location are different, but I still believe this post contains the right prescription for us to effectively end school shootings:

More than just thoughts and prayers
Originally posted on May 26, 2022

This past week had yet another school shooting.  In Uvalde, Texas, 19 students and 2 teachers died as the 18 year old gunman walked the halls of the school.  But this event has brought greater feelings of anger and grief…this wasn’t a bullied teen who was out to get revenge on those who were tormenting him…instead he walked into an elementary school with the intention to do as much harm as possible.  That’s sadistic.  That’s appalling.  That’s really difficult for us to process.

Unfortunately, the national conversation over the next two weeks will be largely predictable as everyone – whether directly impacted or distantly aware – wrestles with this event.  There will be calls for legislation.  There will be debate of individual’s rights.  There will be questions about mental health care.  Fear, anger, and hostility will characterize most discussions.  Some will simply withdraw to avoid the tension.  In the end, though, not much is likely to change on the national level.

Without a doubt, nothing can be said to comfort the grieving families that lost their children.  And we know that.  We often express our condolences, our grief, and our concern by posting on social media or telling the families that “our thoughts and prayers are with you”.  But let’s be honest, shall we?  Do our sad thoughts for the victims and their families really change anything?  And what is the content of our prayers?  Dear God, please stop school shootings from happening.  Amen.  What do we expect God to do with that?  Do we ask Him to fix our nation, and then sit back and wait for some miracle to happen?  Or hope for common sense and niceness to simply dawn on everyone?

If we want real, lasting change in society…it’s going to take some work.  Fortunately, God provided us with an example in the life of a man named Nehemiah.

When family came to visit Nehemiah, he asked about his homeland:

Nehemiah 1:3-4
They said to me, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace.  Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned.”  When I heard these words, I sat down and wept.  I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.

An ancient city with no walls had no protection, and its citizens would be in constant danger.  They were easy pickings for raiders, armies, or anyone to take and kill as they pleased.  Nehemiah mourned, fasted, and prayed – all natural, good responses – but he didn’t stop there.  He took action.

Nehemiah obtained a leave of absence from his job and secured supplies to help rebuild the city.  He traveled a great distance to his homeland, and he rallied people to the most important task at hand: rebuilding the city wall.  However, you’ll find in the account that Nehemiah didn’t build the whole wall, and neither did his crew.  What you’ll read in Nehemiah 3 is that multiple groups were responsible for building and/or repairing sections of the wall.  Here’s a small example:

Nehemiah 3:3-4
The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate…Next to them Meremoth son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz, made repairs.  Beside them Meshullam son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel, made repairs.  Next to them Zadok son of Baana made repairs.

Next to them…beside them…Next to them…they all worked together, but they each focused on their specific section of the wall.  When you read through the entire chapter, you find that people from all walks of life were doing the work: rich and poor, politicians, priests, goldsmiths, servants, even one district ruler was specifically called out because of how he and his daughters took care of their section.

Later on, when they were under deadly threat from surrounding opposition, Nehemiah organized the people into shifts of those who would continue to work on the wall and those who would stand ready at the walls most vulnerable places, to defend the city should their enemies attack.  They took their turns, standing in the gaps, and they were able to rebuild the wall in 52 days.

The connection I’d like to make between people of Nehemiah’s day and how their actions can be applied to our current crisis is this: they worked to rebuild their part, and they stood in the gaps when called upon.

No new law will change the reason why Salvador Ramos picked up a gun.  Our sad thoughts and trite prayers after the fact aren’t going to make any lasting change.  If we’re going to see change, we the people will have to get involved in the lives of children before they reach the point that they reach for a weapon.

There are so many gaps in society.  So many places for people to fall through the cracks and be forgotten or ignored.  If we try to take in the enormity of it, we are quickly overwhelmed.  However, just like we saw in Nehemiah’s example, we don’t have to fill all the gaps on our own.  But it’s time we each took our shift.

Find a local ministry or program and volunteer at it.  Homeless shelter, YMCA, or an after-school program…find the children and befriend them.  They need to be seen, cared for, and listened to. 

If you still need suggestions, here are a few I would personally recommend.  If these are local to you, please find a way to get involved.  If they are not local, find something similar that is nearby.  These are various-sized programs, each with impact in different portions of society:

Chestnut Mountain Ranch – Providing a Christ-centered home and school for at-risk boys, their aim is to restore broken families, giving these young men hope and a future.

Libera, Inc – They support women and teens through listening groups, love packs for foster kids, student body safety assemblies, and counseling services.

Family Room – They provide support for foster families with clothing, bedding, toys, games, and supplies for foster kids at no cost

Established Family Recovery Ministries, Inc – When an addict enters rehab, they provide support and resources to the family through mentorship, financial assistance, and addressing practical needs.

Feeding Lisa’s Kids – Once a month, they provide food for families with children who are facing food insecurity.

There are lots of gaps.  Don’t wait for the government to pass a law to fix it.  Don’t complain on social media and do nothing in the real world.  We need to properly grieve the Uvalde tragedy, so mourn, fast, and pray as you need to…but don’t stop there.  It’s time for you and me to take action.

Keep Pressing,
Ken

More than just thoughts and prayers

This past week had yet another school shooting.  In Uvalde, Texas, 19 students and 2 teachers died as the 18 year old gunman walked the halls of the school.  But this event has brought greater feelings of anger and grief…this wasn’t a bullied teen who was out to get revenge on those who were tormenting him…instead he walked into an elementary school with the intention to do as much harm as possible.  That’s sadistic.  That’s appalling.  That’s really difficult for us to process.

Unfortunately, the national conversation over the next two weeks will be largely predictable as everyone – whether directly impacted or distantly aware – wrestles with this event.  There will be calls for legislation.  There will be debate of individual’s rights.  There will be questions about mental health care.  Fear, anger, and hostility will characterize most discussions.  Some will simply withdraw to avoid the tension.  In the end, though, not much is likely to change on the national level.

Without a doubt, nothing can be said to comfort the grieving families that lost their children.  And we know that.  We often express our condolences, our grief, and our concern by posting on social media or telling the families that “our thoughts and prayers are with you”.  But let’s be honest, shall we?  Do our sad thoughts for the victims and their families really change anything?  And what is the content of our prayers?  Dear God, please stop school shootings from happening.  Amen.  What do we expect God to do with that?  Do we ask Him to fix our nation, and then sit back and wait for some miracle to happen?  Or hope for common sense and niceness to simply dawn on everyone?

If we want real, lasting change in society…it’s going to take some work.  Fortunately, God provided us with an example in the life of a man named Nehemiah.

When family came to visit Nehemiah, he asked about his homeland:

Nehemiah 1:3-4
They said to me, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace.  Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned.”  When I heard these words, I sat down and wept.  I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.

An ancient city with no walls had no protection, and its citizens would be in constant danger.  They were easy pickings for raiders, armies, or anyone to take and kill as they pleased.  Nehemiah mourned, fasted, and prayed – all natural, good responses – but he didn’t stop there.  He took action.

Nehemiah obtained a leave of absence from his job and secured supplies to help rebuild the city.  He traveled a great distance to his homeland, and he rallied people to the most important task at hand: rebuilding the city wall.  However, you’ll find in the account that Nehemiah didn’t build the whole wall, and neither did his crew.  What you’ll read in Nehemiah 3 is that multiple groups were responsible for building and/or repairing sections of the wall.  Here’s a small example:

Nehemiah 3:3-4
The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate…Next to them Meremoth son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz, made repairs.  Beside them Meshullam son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel, made repairs.  Next to them Zadok son of Baana made repairs.

Next to them…beside them…Next to them…they all worked together, but they each focused on their specific section of the wall.  When you read through the entire chapter, you find that people from all walks of life were doing the work: rich and poor, politicians, priests, goldsmiths, servants, even one district ruler was specifically called out because of how he and his daughters took care of their section.

Later on, when they were under deadly threat from surrounding opposition, Nehemiah organized the people into shifts of those who would continue to work on the wall and those who would stand ready at the walls most vulnerable places, to defend the city should their enemies attack.  They took their turns, standing in the gaps, and they were able to rebuild the wall in 52 days.

The connection I’d like to make between people of Nehemiah’s day and how their actions can be applied to our current crisis is this: they worked to rebuild their part, and they stood in the gaps when called upon.

No new law will change the reason why Salvador Ramos picked up a gun.  Our sad thoughts and trite prayers after the fact aren’t going to make any lasting change.  If we’re going to see change, we the people will have to get involved in the lives of children before they reach the point that they reach for a weapon.

There are so many gaps in society.  So many places for people to fall through the cracks and be forgotten or ignored.  If we try to take in the enormity of it, we are quickly overwhelmed.  However, just like we saw in Nehemiah’s example, we don’t have to fill all the gaps on our own.  But it’s time we each took our shift.

Find a local ministry or program and volunteer at it.  Homeless shelter, YMCA, or an after-school program…find the children and befriend them.  They need to be seen, cared for, and listened to. 

If you still need suggestions, here are a few I would personally recommend.  If these are local to you, please find a way to get involved.  If they are not local, find something similar that is nearby.  These are various-sized programs, each with impact in different portions of society:

Chestnut Mountain Ranch – Providing a Christ-centered home and school for at-risk boys, their aim is to restore broken families, giving these young men hope and a future.

Libera, Inc – They support women and teens through listening groups, love packs for foster kids, student body safety assemblies, and counseling services.

Family Room – They provide support for foster families with clothing, bedding, toys, games, and supplies for foster kids at no cost

Established Family Recovery Ministries, Inc – When an addict enters rehab, they provide support and resources to the family through mentorship, financial assistance, and addressing practical needs.

Feeding Lisa’s Kids – Once a month, they provide food for families with children who are facing food insecurity.

There are lots of gaps.  Don’t wait for the government to pass a law to fix it.  Don’t complain on social media and do nothing in the real world.  We need to properly grieve the Uvalde tragedy, so mourn, fast, and pray as you need to…but don’t stop there.  It’s time for you and me to take action.

Keep Pressing,
Ken

Round 2: Aftermath of a miracle: the response

It’s been 7 weeks since we received my wife’s cancer diagnosis. It’s been 6 weeks since her surgery. Overall, she has been healing well - and the day this posts will be the day we see her surgeon for her first post-op checkup. We already received the great news that the hysterectomy removed all of her cancer; as such, we expect this appointment to focus on what life will look like going forward.

Looking back over the last two months, I cannot point out “why” she has had to endure this. Maybe it’s just life in a fallen world. Maybe there’s a grander purpose we don’t know about yet. Maybe we won’t know until we’re on the other side of eternity. No matter what the reason is…we’ll continue to trust God with it.

Aftermath of a miracle: the response
originally posted on August 16, 2018

“Seems like the only time we ever get together anymore is weddings and funerals.”

Sound familiar?  It’s certainly true of me and my extended family.  We’re not only scattered across the entire US, but there are a few of us who live in distant countries at the moment.  It takes a big event to get everyone to coordinate schedules and finances such that we can all be face-to-face for even a couple of days.  If someone has a serious illness or accident, we will call and text to check in on each other.  A few of us that are regionally close to each other might get together for Christmas or Thanksgiving, but for most holidays, birthdays, and graduations our communication is through technology and not in-person. 

But a wedding or funeral?  It would take a lot to keep us from showing up to one of these events.   And our drive to be there in-person isn’t just for our immediate family, but when our friends experience these milestones, as well.  While some might decry this as a negative result of modern society, I don’t think it is the case.  It takes a huge moment of celebration or tragedy to get everyone’s attention and bring people together.

And that is why Jesus allowed Lazarus to die.  Many friends and family showed up for his funeral in his hometown of Bethany

John 11:18-19
Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away).  Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.

Something tragic had to happen in order to bring everyone out of their normal-daily routine, to ensure they were aware – and present – for the revelation of God’s authority and power that was about to take place.

Jesus had a distinct purpose in the steps He took as Lazarus’ situation would unfold.  Throughout the account, John records several statements Jesus made about His motivation.  Look at what He says:

John 11:4
When Jesus heard [that Lazarus was sick], He said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

John 11:14
So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus had died.  I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe.”

John 11:40-43
Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

So they removed the stone.  Then Jesus raised His eyes and said, “Father I thank You that You heard Me.  I know that You always hear Me, but because of the crowd standing here I said this, so that they may believe You sent Me.”

After He said this, He shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”

Did you notice what Jesus included in His prayer?  Because of the crowd standing here.  Would the crowd have gathered if Jesus had arrived before Lazarus died, when was still sick?  Most definitely not.   A few may have shown up out of concern, but, realistically, Jesus would have performed a healing in front of the disciples, the sisters, and an on-looker or two.

Instead, Mary and Martha had to experience their worst nightmare – helplessly watching their brother waste away and die.  Even worse, Lazarus painfully experienced his body failing him…all the way through death.  By allowing these personal tragedies to run their course, a crowd of people became eye-witnesses to the greatest miracle up to that moment in human history.  At Jesus’ command, a man that they all knew was without-a-doubt 100% dead was suddenly restored and standing among them.  As eye-witnesses, how did they respond?

John 11:45
Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what He did believed in Him.

A short while later, Jesus returned to Bethany; and look at what happened:

John 12:9-10
Then a large crowd of the Jews learned He was there.  They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, the one He had raised from the dead… he was the reason many of the Jews were…believing in Jesus.

The “Tragedy of Lazarus” had become the “Glory of God” that Jesus predicted…but Lazarus still had to suffer before getting there.  If Jesus can use a death to draw others to Him, I’m certain that any disease can also be used for God’s Glory.  This includes my younger brother’s Multiple Sclerosis, my debilitating migraines, your terrifying cancer, your uncontrollable anxiety, and any painful unexplainable failing of our bodies. 

I cannot promise that God will heal any of us.  It is certainly acceptable to ask: He may say yes; He may say no.  What is clear from Lazarus’ story is that Jesus places a higher priority on God’s Glory and drawing others to Him than we do on our current status.

But if we’re talking about changing the eternal destiny of those around us – ones who otherwise would not be eye-witnesses to God’s Glory and Power, if not for our personal tragedies – we can trust God with our sufferings, our illnesses, and our frail bodies.

Keep Pressing,
Ken

Round 2: A question of belief

As we walk back through this series, I am thrilled that this is the post that comes during the week of Christmas.

Christmas 2020 isn’t the way we wanted it to be. We aren’t celebrating the way that we’re used to with all the people we want to. We desperately want Christmas to close out a muddy mess of a year that most of us would rather soon forget.

Maybe, like Martha, life hasn’t gone the way you wanted it to. God didn’t answer your prayers, like you asked. Perhaps someone you love has been sick, or even died. The kinds of circumstances we’ve dealt with in 2020 make it difficult to celebrate Christmas in our normal fashion.

But maybe our memories of “normal” isn’t the place we should look to for comfort this year…

A question of belief
originally posted on July 26, 2018 

Can I be open and honest with you?

Throughout my decades as a follower of Jesus, I have had several mini-crises of faith.  Times of struggle or tragedy in my own life (or in the lives of those that I love) have caused me to pause and wonder a number of different things, like:

·       Does God really care what happens to us?
·       Is living the Christian life really worth it?
·       Do I really believe all this “Jesus stuff”?

These are hard-core questions, and our pride may make it difficult for us to admit to other people that we wrestle with these kinds of thoughts.  But we wonder, just the same.  And it’s hard to reason through these kinds of questions.  Our feelings can be all over the place, especially when life goes sideways.  Throw in the daily struggle with sinful desires, and we can easily start a mental tailspin.

As our feelings ebb-and-flow and our actions are typically tainted with at least some level of selfishness, we can’t rely on ourselves to answer these questions and doubts.  This is where it is helpful to look at what Jesus explicitly said about us and about Himself. 

John’s record of a conversation between Jesus and Martha can help as we deal with our questions and doubts:

John 11:17-27
When Jesus arrived, He found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.  Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away).  Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.

As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet Him, but Mary remained seated in the house.  Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.  Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give You.”

“Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.

Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live.  Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she told Him, “I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.”

Martha was going through what was likely the toughest time of her life – her brother had fallen sick and she watched over him as he died.  God hadn’t answer her prayers to heal Lazarus.  Jesus didn’t arrive in time to rescue Lazarus from the pain he was suffering.  Martha had been grieving for four days when Jesus arrived.

Martha was looking toward future events for comfort, instead Jesus directed her to look at who was standing next to her.  What Jesus offered was Himself.  It is in this conversation that Jesus states one of His greatest “I am” statements: I am the resurrection and the life.  If we believe this statement, then Jesus guarantees that even if our bodies experience physical death, we will still live – forever.

Notice that Jesus doesn’t say to clean up our lives and then He’ll give us eternal life.  He does not tell Martha to examine her life to see if she really does believe in Him.  He also does not tell her to make sure she continues to act a certain way.  In fact, Jesus does not tell Martha to look at herself, at all.

Jesus said that those who believe in Him have eternal life, no matter what else happens in this life.  Based upon what Jesus said, our hope and eternal security are found exclusively in Him – not in our circumstances, not in how we feel, not in how we behave.

Do you believe this?

Keep Pressing,
Ken

Aftermath of a miracle: the response

“Seems like the only time we ever get together anymore is weddings and funerals.”

Sound familiar?  It’s certainly true of me and my extended family.  We’re not only scattered across the entire US, but there are a few of us who live in distant countries at the moment.  It takes a big event to get everyone to coordinate schedules and finances such that we can all be face-to-face for even a couple of days.  If someone has a serious illness or accident, we will call and text to check in on each other.  A few of us that are regionally close to each other might get together for Christmas or Thanksgiving, but for most holidays, birthdays, and graduations our communication is through technology and not in-person. 

But a wedding or funeral?  It would take a lot to keep us from showing up to one of these events.   And our drive to be there in-person isn’t just for our immediate family, but when our friends experience these milestones, as well.  While some might decry this as a negative result of modern society, I don’t think it is the case.  It takes a huge moment of celebration or tragedy to get everyone’s attention and bring people together.

And that is why Jesus allowed Lazarus to die.  Many friends and family showed up for his funeral in his hometown of Bethany

John 11:18-19
Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away).  Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.

Something tragic had to happen in order to bring everyone out of their normal-daily routine, to ensure they were aware – and present – for the revelation of God’s authority and power that was about to take place.

Jesus had a distinct purpose in the steps He took as Lazarus’ situation would unfold.  Throughout the account, John records several statements Jesus made about His motivation.  Look at what He says:

John 11:4
When Jesus heard [that Lazarus was sick], He said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

John 11:14
So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus had died.  I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe.”

John 11:40-43
Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

So they removed the stone.  Then Jesus raised His eyes and said, “Father I thank You that You heard Me.  I know that You always hear Me, but because of the crowd standing here I said this, so that they may believe You sent Me.”

After He said this, He shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”

Did you notice what Jesus included in His prayer?  Because of the crowd standing here.  Would the crowd have gathered if Jesus had arrived before Lazarus died, when was still sick?  Most definitely not.   A few may have shown up out of concern, but, realistically, Jesus would have performed a healing in front of the disciples, the sisters, and an on-looker or two.

Instead, Mary and Martha had to experience their worst nightmare – helplessly watching their brother waste away and die.  Even worse, Lazarus painfully experienced his body failing him…all the way through death.  By allowing these personal tragedies to run their course, a crowd of people became eye-witnesses to the greatest miracle up to that moment in human history.  At Jesus’ command, a man that they all knew was without-a-doubt 100% dead was suddenly restored and standing among them.  As eye-witnesses, how did they respond?

John 11:45
Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what He did believed in Him.

A short while later, Jesus returned to Bethany; and look at what happened:

John 12:9-10
Then a large crowd of the Jews learned He was there.  They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, the one He had raised from the dead… he was the reason many of the Jews were…believing in Jesus.

The “Tragedy of Lazarus” had become the “Glory of God” that Jesus predicted…but Lazarus still had to suffer before getting there.  If Jesus can use a death to draw others to Him, I’m certain that any disease can also be used for God’s Glory.  This includes my younger brother’s Multiple Sclerosis, my debilitating migraines, your terrifying cancer, your uncontrollable anxiety, and any painful unexplainable failing of our bodies. 

I cannot promise that God will heal any of us.  It is certainly acceptable to ask: He may say yes; He may say no.  What is clear from Lazarus’ story is that Jesus places a higher priority on God’s Glory and drawing others to Him than we do on our current status.

But if we’re talking about changing the eternal destiny of those around us – ones who otherwise would not be eye-witnesses to God’s Glory and Power, if not for our personal tragedies – we can trust God with our sufferings, our illnesses, and our frail bodies.

Keep Pressing,
Ken

A question of belief

Can I be open and honest with you?

Throughout my decades as a follower of Jesus, I have had several mini-crises of faith.  Times of struggle or tragedy in my own life (or in the lives of those that I love) have caused me to pause and wonder a number of different things, like:

·       Does God really care what happens to us?
·       Is living the Christian life really worth it?
·       Do I really believe all this “Jesus stuff”?

These are hard-core questions, and our pride may make it difficult for us to admit to other people that we wrestle with these kinds of thoughts.  But we wonder, just the same.  And it’s hard to reason through these kinds of questions.  Our feelings can be all over the place, especially when life goes sideways.  Throw in the daily struggle with sinful desires, and we can easily start a mental tailspin.

As our feelings ebb-and-flow and our actions are typically tainted with at least some level of selfishness, we can’t rely on ourselves to answer these questions and doubts.  This is where it is helpful to look at what Jesus explicitly said about us and about Himself. 

John’s record of a conversation between Jesus and Martha can help as we deal with our questions and doubts:

John 11:17-27
When Jesus arrived, He found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.  Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away).  Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.

As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet Him, but Mary remained seated in the house.  Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.  Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give You.”

“Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.

Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live.  Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she told Him, “I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.”

Martha was going through what was likely the toughest time of her life – her brother had fallen sick and she watched over him as he died.  God hadn’t answer her prayers to heal Lazarus.  Jesus didn’t arrive in time to rescue Lazarus from the pain he was suffering.  Martha had been grieving for four days when Jesus arrived.

Martha was looking toward future events for comfort, instead Jesus directed her to look at who was standing next to her.  What Jesus offered was Himself.  It is in this conversation that Jesus states one of His greatest “I am” statements: I am the resurrection and the life.  If we believe this statement, then Jesus guarantees that even if our bodies experience physical death, we will still live – forever.

Notice that Jesus doesn’t say to clean up our lives and then He’ll give us eternal life.  He does not tell Martha to examine her life to see if she really does believe in Him.  He also does not tell her to make sure she continues to act a certain way.  In fact, Jesus does not tell Martha to look at herself, at all.

Jesus said that those who believe in Him have eternal life, no matter what else happens in this life.  Based upon what Jesus said, our hope and eternal security are found exclusively in Him – not in our circumstances, not in how we feel, not in how we behave.

Do you believe this?

Keep Pressing,
Ken
 

Wanting to know "Why?"

We like to ask the question “Why?” a lot.

Throughout our youth, that one-word question typically came from a desire to learn or understand.  Our fastest rate of learning is when we were less than five years old…simply because we asked “Why?” to everything around us. 

However, at some point during our formative years, “Why?” transitions into questions regarding authority.  And as we experience more of this sinful world, our “Why?” becomes a question that desperately looks for meaning and purpose among the tragedies and difficulties.

The truth is we may never know, on this side of Heaven, why God allows tragedy and evil and tough situations to occur.  When we experience these, we may feel like God doesn’t care.  Even when we trust God through difficult times, we can still feel saddened by the situation.

While we cannot see what the future holds, the apostle Paul gave us an example of how we can handle the “Why?” of difficult times as he makes an appeal for reconciliation between two people he cared about:

Philemon 9-14
I, Paul, as an elderly man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus, appeal to you for my child, whom I fathered while in chains – Onesimus.  Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful to both you and me.  I am sending him – a part of myself – back to you.  I wanted to keep him with me, so that in my imprisonment for the gospel he might serve me in your place.  But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will.

Here is where Paul applies the benefit of hindsight to view the heartbreak and anger of the broken relationship between Philemon and Onesimus through a different lens.

Philemon 15-16
For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave – as a dearly loved brother.  This is especially so to me, but even more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Whatever happened between the two men, it was significant.  It was difficult.  It was an issue that created problems that wouldn’t have been there otherwise.

In the aftermath of their separation, each man would have been tempted to believe that all was lost and what was wrong could never again be put right.  Maybe they did believe it.  Philemon could have asked out of frustration “Why did this happen?”, “Why are we the ones to deal with this?”, or “Why didn’t God stop this from happening?”.

In his letter, Paul shows Philemon that God used his hardship to bring Onesimus to the place where he would accept the gospel.  Philemon likely wouldn’t have thought it could happen when he was in the difficult moment, but God is willing to take both time and tragedy to reach out to people with the gospel.

Maybe, at some date in the future, we’ll get to see how God used our personal struggles, problems, and tragedies for our good and the benefit of others.  Maybe we won’t be able to see the “Why?” until we’re on the other side of eternity.

The good news is that God not only knows the “Why?”, but also the “Who?”, the “What?”, the “Where?”, the “When?”, and the “How?”.

Keep Pressing,
Ken