My last post came from the Labor & Delivery Room while my wife was sleeping (as a result of this amazing thing called an Epidural). In those moments leading up to the birth of Emery Grace I was, needless to say, lacking the ability to think clearly.
Since that day my wife and I have enjoyed the New Normal. We have logged a total of 2 months in our Parenting journey together that have been fraught with new challenges, interesting situations, a lack of real Parenting (really, do you actually parent a 9 week old?). I would like to say that I have undertaken this new responsibility like a duck takes to water (or like Emery to the Bottle) but I am painfully aware (at least at times) how irresponsible I have been or am being.
People ask how the past 2 months have gone. We respond that they have been pretty smooth. Emery is a happy baby who sleeps the vast majority of the night. She grins most of the time that I am home and makes the best noises when I sing my rendition of “A Peanut sat on a Railroad Track.” Amber and I were married for a month short of a year when she was born, but it is hard to imagine what it would have been like to not have her with us right now. Children really are a Blessing for God.
Personal failures now seem much larger now. Those things that I viewed as being bad habits or little hang-ups have become the battles that they should have been my entire life. Those areas of selfishness which appeared to me as entitlements now show to be a true hindrance to my marriage relationship. How do you correct 20+ years apathy? Only by God’s Grace…
I found myself asking a question tonight that may, at first glance, seem harsh and not at all Christ-like. The question is as follows:
What is the worth/benefit of the ‘Senior Saint?’
Or, to state it a little more bluntly:
What do ‘Old People’ have to offer?
As I stated before, this does seem a tab bit harsh and unloving. So, before all of you who never respond to any of my posts decide to respond all at once to my errant attitude, allow me chance to expound on my question.
Though it would seem as such, this question does not come out of a desire to rid the Church of all members 55 and older. I do not wish any ill will and I hold no malicious feelings toward the older crowd. Quite the contrary in fact! The question asked flows from a heart that is burdened and desires to know and understand the past generation of Christian Brothers and Sisters.
Needless to say, the differences between the Generations in Christian Culture can be astounding. Though sometimes the distance between the Generational Gap seems contrived, all too often the Christian stereo-types are true to form.
We all know what these stereo-types are when it comes to the Church. You have those who value History and Tradition and desire to stay the same on one side of the equation and you have those who cannot seem to help but change and re-evaluate on the other side. You have the ‘way things were’ and you have ‘the way things could be.’
Along with these opposed viewpoints comes tension. Tension, without staunch determination for unity, often brings division. Division is soon followed by hindered ministry.
Perhaps it is where I am at in life. I look around the Church and I see within the Twenty-Something crowd (and younger) potential. I see the countless possibilities for ministry and Spiritual victories. I see God’s Truth and Gospel being spread to the endless corners of this globe and a multitude of tribes, nations, and people being redeemed by God’s Lamb. I understand this group. I see the benefit. I can grasp the worth.
My eyes then fall on the elderly. Weak, hobbled, frail. What could have been seems to be years in their past. The potential that once was there – dwindled. Where is that benefit? What do they have left to offer?
At this point, the discussion turns to Biblical passages that deal with the Body of Christ; each part of the Body with its purpose, each part with a special use (Romans 12: 3-8; I Corinthians 12:14-26). I understand that Truth and can see the practical out-workings of that Truth in my generation, but does this mean that the Elderly are regulated to their respective prayer closets? Doubtful!
Yet, somewhere something got lost. That something, in the midst of the Generational Tension, would appear to be the answer. What is missing? Understanding of each other (young and old) and a deep understanding of God’s Truth.
Thus, we have come full circle and the question that was asked at the beginning needs to be answered:
What do ‘Old People’ have to offer?
“But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.”
Hebrews 3:13-14
Faithfulness is not the path to Biblical Success…
Faithfulness IS Biblical Success.
(Pastor Tim Jordan; 6/28/2009)
It was encouraging to hear the Pastor of the Church last night stand up and level with the Congregation. His message was a structured Testimony with a point and by the time he reached the end, the point was quite sharp.
This was not the first time in the past month that this sort of concept has come up. Along with my personal musing, the idea of Faithfulness was also the topic of a Wednesday Night Bible Study.
The head of the study asked the question – What does the life of faith [faithful life] look like?
When most of us hear this question we think of fruit, blessing, and success in some form as a reward for or as a sign of Faithfulness. Likewise, we have the tendency to view the opposite of all of these as signs of Unfaithfulness.
The Study on Wednesday Night focused in on Hebrews 11:32-38.
Looking at the first have of the passage (v. 32-35a) we see that through faith…
“…conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection.”
This would seem to be the true marks of Faithfulness. You have great deeds accomplished by and for Men and Women of Faith. Blessing, Fruit, Success!
Yet, you read on in the passage (v. 35b-39) to see that some through faith…
“…Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised…”
Were it not for the inclusion of this section with the previous and the ending statement of the Author (not to mention a basic understanding of Christian History) we would be tempted to see this section as the outcome of sinful choices, disobedience, or straying.
At least, that is how we typically view bad outcomes and circumstances with our modern minds.
I have fallen prey time and time again to the errant concept that good life, good actions leads to comfortable and enjoyable circumstances. I follow the incorrect assumption that a Faithful life leads to “perfect” life. I use Faithfulness to fulfill my fleshly desire for comfort over God’s commendation for pleasing Him by submitting to His Will and Plan.
What I so often miss throughout all of this is - comfort does not compare with the satisfaction of knowing that faithfulness pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). With that in mind, the temporary discomforts and anxiety give way to peace and joy. The fears and sleepless nights give way to rest and comfort. It honestly is amazing how that works.
So… I will continue to “chew” on these thoughts. I will continue to strive to be Faithful. Though failures will come and situations may arise, may my God in the end say:
“Well Done… My good and Faithful Servant…”
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world
…and forfeits his soul?
Or what shall a man give
…in return for his soul?”
(Matthew 16:26)
Prior to yesterday evening I viewed this verse differently. The concept of gaining the World seemed like a hyperbolic statement. Really, who could gain the whole world? The acceptance, the adjure, the respect? Who, after they take their final breath, would be mourned by cultures?
As we all know by now, Michael Jackson passed away. What followed the announcement of his death was amazing, if not a little frightening. Crowds gathered, the news stations had special reports, and vigils were held. This was not limited to our Country.
Michael Jackson, in essence, gained the World. His name is known globally, his Music is viewed as being some of the most respected across cultures, and today the world is mourning. Yet, by most accounts, we would say that he lost his own Soul. That which lasts, that which is timeless will eternally face the requirement of Righteous Justice.
So, the question can now be asked – What would he give in return for his Soul?
I daresay, he would have given the World.
Things are Changing… Not only around me as we are getting ready to have a Baby… But inside as I look around and see situations over which I have no control.
To say that I have been unaffected would be far from the truth. To say that I have responded correctly throughout would be far fetched. There has been tears, frustration, impatience, questions. There has been countless hours spent wondering “why” and “how.”
And throughout all of this - God knows. He is not removed from trials and struggles, but He is there with me throughout. He has Compassion, Sympathy… Empathy as He, in the form of Jesus, has experienced similar and far more. He, as my Creator, remembers my frame and knows that I am dust.
The issue, that has become perfectly clear, is not that God has forgotten or does not understand, but that I do not remember God. Those Characteristics listed… they often slip from my memory. His promises for His Children are so easily forgotten by my frail mind. The grace He gives each day and the Mercy He shows each morning remains neglected.
God is still God. It is “I” that change and forget.
“I came that they may have life…”
Because before Him there was only Death and Misery, Pain and Suffering, Trial and Temptation, Sin and Failure…
“…and have it abundantly.”
For He is the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Well that never will Run Dry, the Way the Truth and the Life…
I visit the same sites everyday. It is a Habit… and a Habit that can be encouraging. Well, one fo my Favorites (Between Two Worlds) had a link to an interesting video. This is definitly worth spending a little time to watch.
Thought Provoking… and I wish I had the Rest of the Sermon… But after watching this short clip my Heart (the Regenerated part) begins to preach to itself…
Originally found at Between Two Worlds Blog
