To tell the truth, I don't much feel like writing a column. As I think about the possibilities, consider what I could write I'm thinking "What DO I write about? What should I say? Is there anything I can write that will help?"
Aye, help. There's the rub. Pastors are always supposed to help, be full of encouragement, ready to speak out in every situation to help and one would think this early in a new year one could at least write about the possibilities in the new year to "grow" to greater, never before achieved new heights in our lives and the lives of those around us; you know, the old "there's no way to go but up." If we will be honest with ourselves however, we will have to admit that we do find it is sometimes hard to be positive and upbeat all the time. This can especially be hard for pastors, but I'll wager it fits everyone.
In the last year alone, I have seen people's lives turned upside down from experiencing things they would never in their wildest dreams have expected they would have to go through, and that doesn't count losing loved ones. I've seen once faithful people pull away rather than work out whatever problems they were having. I've seen families who, if you told them what was coming, what was going to happen in their lives, would have laughed at you. Yet, I've watched them fall apart and though they can't seem to understand why, they are sure none of it is their fault and won't listen to anyone tell them different. People who are now moving like zombies, just going through the motions.
In the secular world, it seems we wake up to a new world every day; we never know what tragedy we are going to hear about or see. It seems that everywhere there's a growing sense of urgency and fear of the unknown of what's coming even in the middle of any seeming progress. As for political systems, it seems to be true "the parting on the left, are now parting on the right" and, should the Lord tarry, will be "the parting on the right, are now parting on the left" -- proving the truth of Ecclesiastes 1:9: "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun."
It should come as no surprise to us -- this chaos in the world -- from the old times it was foretold. Haggai 2:6-7: "For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations."
Again, spoken of in Hebrews 12:25-27 with a warning to: "See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, 'Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.' And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain."
The Apostle Paul tells us that three times he was beaten by the Jews, whipped five times with 39 stripes, was stoned and was shipwrecked three times, was betrayed by false brethren, suffered hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness, forsaken by all men and on top of all this, had the daily care of all the churches. Yet, he tells us in Acts 20:24: "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."
How could he endure so much yet say "none of these things move me?" Because he knew who he believed in and was persuaded that he was able to keep that which he had committed to him against that day. Do YOU?
So, we don't feel like it. So we suffer. So things fall apart and we're broken, stunned and confused even to the point of not knowing what to do next, there is one thing that is constant that will not change: God loves us! He proved it (according to Romans 5:8) while we were still sinners by Christ dying for us. He has also promised to never forsake us or leave us.
Tired? Confused? Need help making it through the day? Yes, Christian, I'm talking to YOU -- it's time for you to make up your mind. Will you "trust and obey," follow the commandments of God or not? Circumstances may or may not change but there is a "peace that passeth all understanding" awaiting you IF you will.
•••
Editor's note: Charlie Newman is pastor of Avoca Christian Church. To contact him, e-mail [email protected], or write in care of The Times at [email protected] or P.O. Box 25, Pea Ridge, AR 72751.
Religion on 01/07/2015