Leave The Night Light On

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hen I think of home and all the wonderful memories I have from my childhood, one image in particular comes back repeatedly.  It is the image of the lights that burned during the night in our house.  My brother and I shared a room and each night before going to bed, we made sure the bathroom light was burning.  There was such a sense of security provided by that light.  As long as it burned, I knew everything would be all right.  I had no fear of the dark, of the things hiding under my bed, or lurking in my closet because I knew the bathroom light would keep me safe.

Some nights, when sleep eluded me, I would lie awake in my bed and look at the soft light coming from our bathroom.  There, in the stillness, the light would assure me that everything was okay. It provided companionship and dispelled the worries and fears I had of the dark.  The light was always faithful, ever vigilant, ever protecting, and ever present.  After a while, perhaps fifteen minutes or as much as an hour, I would drift off into a sound, worry-free sleep, secure in the knowledge the light would always be there to help me, to console me, and to protect me.

Most of us could share similar experiences from our childhood.  We all know what it's like to be afraid of the dark.  We can all identify with the child who fears the monsters under his bed or those hiding in his closet.  Even as adults, there are still monsters that haunt us late at night, and if we are truly honest, we would admit we still find great comfort in night lights.  We want something to take away the dark areas of our lives, those areas that frighten and paralyze us and prevent us from enjoying life to the full.

Would it surprise you to learn that the concept of the night-light can be traced back as far as the Exodus of the Hebrew children from Egypt?  It's true and our scripture today shows us that the children of Israel found great comfort and security in night-lights.  Exodus 13:21-22 says, "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people."

The night-light God provided for his people was none other than his own presence.  There, on the desert floor, having no idea where they were headed, God provided guidance for them.  During the day, a great pillar of cloud went before them and at night, the pillar changed into fire, providing light for their journey.  Can you imagine what it would be like to open the flap of your tent and see the presence of the eternal God? 

On nights when sleep escaped you, or when you were afraid of the monsters in the dark, or when your mind was filled with all kinds of worries, all you had to do was open your tent, and you would see God's night-light.  This light burned all during the dark hours of the night.  It dispelled any fear, any threat, any worry on the part of his children.  There was great security, great peace, and great comfort in knowing the light was always there, always watching, always protecting, always burning.

On the campus of Southwestern seminary, the main classroom building stays lit all night long.  While I was a seminary student, I often imagined myself as one of the Hebrew children during the Exodus.  Whenever I couldn’t sleep, whenever I was lonely, whenever I just needed someone to listen to me, I would go look at that building.  In the soft light, I could hear God say so softly, yet so earnestly, "I am here.  You can sleep because I am awake; you need not be lonely for I am your friend. Come, talk to me, for I am here to listen.  Have no fear of the dark, for my presence is with you and my light can never be put out."

During all the difficult and trying times of my life, when it seems the darkness is all around, the pillar of fire continues on before me.  God never removed that pillar from before the people and I know he will never remove it from before or you me.  When darkness falls, it is wonderful to know that God always leaves the night-light on for us.  As the Psalmist writes in Psalm 21, "He who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep."  Today, as you walk with God, you have the confidence of knowing that no matter how dark the way seems, the light is always on. 

Always In Service

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ou can see them everywhere at the university.  In fact, they are so common that if you don’t look twice, you will walk right by them and not even know they are there.  Everywhere on campus, it seems, these little blue towers stand guard over the student body, always at the ready to lend a helping hand and put them in direct contact with the police in the event of an emergency.

The little towers are more noticeable at night when a blue light near the top illuminates and all the towers begin to glow, bringing a sense of safety and security to those walking the campus at night.  However, there was one tower I passed several weeks in a row that was distinctly different from the rest.  In addition to its blue color and its lamp, this tower also bore a swatch of brown and that swatch made all the difference.

The swatch was a piece of cardboard with a message scribbled across it. The message simply read, “Not In Service.”  Now, I ask you, how effective was that tower going to be had someone required immediate assistance?  It stood ready, but it was incapable of rendering aid of any kind in the event of an emergency.  The tower was unreliable and, therefore, was of no help.

In Psalm 46, David reminds us that God is always in service.  He is always standing by, ready to help us when we need it; and we need it all the time.  Psalm 46: 1 reads, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. “ Who better than David to remind us of this truth?  David knew what it was to depend on God as a refuge.  He also knew God to be a constant source of help in times of trouble.  David had many troubles in his life and he also had many enemies, but he had learned to depend on the one who offered shelter and safety in the middle of life’s crises.

Do you find yourself in need of help today?  Do you need refuge from the world around you and are you running low on strength?  Look for God’s blue tower.  You probably have several of them lying around your house or gathering dust on coffee tables or bookshelves.  Pick up his word; open its pages. By doing so, you place yourself in direct contact with the one who knows you best and can help you the most.  He is always in service, ready, willing, and able to come to your aid at a moment’s notice.  So, have you visited the little blue tower lately?  Perhaps it’s time you did.

Remember Me!

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he last year of high school is one of the most memorable and most challenging for students.  All during the year, students constantly speak of their ardent desire for the school year to end.  They can't wait to receive their diplomas, leave home and family, attend university or get a job, and finally be out on their own.  These sentiments usually last until April and then, as the final six weeks of school approach, they suddenly realize that this portion of life is over.  Frantically, they seek some way of applying the brakes, of slowing life down, and avoiding the inevitable.  The excitement of finishing school and breaking all ties with home is replaced by the anxiety of what the future holds and the fear that they will be forgotten.

One of my former high school students embodied these very emotions with frightening precision.  At the start of his last year he was overjoyed to be finishing school and wanted nothing more than to be done with his studies and his hometown.  Yet, on graduation day, he stood before me with tears in his eyes and streaming down his cheeks asking me over and over not to forget him.  He had this terrible fear that no one would remember him, that his life to that point would have had no significance for anyone. 

This student, however, is not alone.  We all suffer from this same fear.  We are afraid that after we have served our purpose, we will be forgotten, thrown out, discarded, much like we discard containers after we have emptied them of their content.  Such a view of life, though extremely common, fails to take into account God's thoughts toward us.

Genesis 8:1a at first seems to be just an introduction to a new chapter.  But if you read it carefully, you will discover just how much God cares for you.  The opening line of chapter 8 begins with these words, "But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him on the ark..." But God remembered?  No, God never forgot Noah.  He knew where he was and he knew what Noah was doing.  I believe the verse might be better understood if read this way, "But God was thinking about Noah...."  That's right, thinking about him.

Although Noah was locked in the ark without knowing what the situation was on the outside, although he tended the animals day after day and week after week, and although he may have believed God had forgotten him, the scriptures tell us that God remembered him.  God's promise to Noah was that he would be saved and God kept that promise.  All the time Noah spent in the ark seemingly forgotten, he was in the process of being saved and perfected for the purpose God had for him.  God thought about Noah.  He saw him in the ark.  He saw him as he performed his daily duties.  He heard him when he prayed, and he sheltered him during the storm.

God does the same things for us on a daily basis. God thinks about us all the time.  He makes plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11), he knows how many hairs are on our heads (Matthew 10:30), his thoughts toward us cannot be counted (Psalm 139:17-18), he hears our prayers (Psalm 55:17), and he shelters us (Psalm 61:3).  When we consider all that he does on our behalf we understand better what Genesis 8:1a means.  Although it may appear that God has abandoned us and that he has forgotten us in our moment of need, nothing could be farther from the truth.  Isaiah 43:3 assures us that whenever we pass through deep waters or walk through fires God is with us.  It is impossible for him to be with us and forget about us.  It simply will not happen. 

Today as you go about your routine and it seems to you that God is nowhere in sight and that he is very far away, let these words from Isaiah 49:14 -ff comfort and reassure you: "But Zion said, 'The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.' 'Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?  Though she may forget, I will not forget you!  See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me."  He who remembers Israel and who keeps all his promises is faithful to remember you today!!

The Bump Bump Truck

             

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t was simply known as the Bump Bump Truck and we loved it for two very different reasons.  My dad loved the old truck because it ran well and because it was useful.  We thought it was fun because every time we rode somewhere the truck bumped and jostled, especially when daddy took us down one of our area’s many dirt roads on the way to the garden or to visit one of his friends.

I was only four or five years old but I distinctly remember laughing and giggling as that old truck jumped and bumped its way through the back roads of my hometown. No matter if the road looked smooth to me, the Bump Bump Truck found a way to make me jump, bounce, and laugh.  When my brother and I were both in the truck it was twice the excitement, twice the fun, and twice the noise.  I’m sure my dad would agree with the last point but not with the first two.  What was fun for us was just a normal drive for him; but then again, children find excitement and joy in almost any situation.  Sadly, this is something we lose the older and more mature we become.

I have thought about that old pickup truck and the roads we used to drive back home.  What a metaphor for life those roads have become as I have grown older.  Every bump, every rut, and every pothole, serves to remind me that the road of life is anything but smooth.

All of us have experienced bumps and knocks along life’s road.  Sometimes the bumps are intermittent, spaced far enough a part to remind us that every once in a while, life gives us a jolt. At other times, the road is one long washboard with seemingly no smooth sections at all. But no matter, smooth, somewhat bumpy, or rough, the road of life goes on and we must go on with it.

The disciples were not unfamiliar with bumps in the road and they walked with Jesus, himself.  They saw him, heard him, and lived with him every day.  Yet, there were times when they experienced “bumps” in the road, times when things grew difficult and sometimes down right scary.  One such instance is recorded for us in the book of John.  John 6:18 simply reads, “A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.”

It should be noted that this passage comes in between two great miracles.  Immediately preceding this passage Jesus feeds the five thousand with the five barley loaves and two fishes supplied by a young lad.  Just after this passage, the disciples see Jesus walking on the water and they are frightened out of their wits.  But the present passage carries for us two great truths that we need to be aware of in our own walks with the Lord.

First, take note that the wind was blowing.  The wind didn’t kick up all of a sudden, agitating the waters into a swirling vortex.  No!  The storm had been developing, the winds had been gaining strength, and the waters had been growing more and more turbulent.  The further away from shore they went, the more bumps they encountered.

As if the wind weren’t enough, the water now gets in on the act. The waves grow rough, they toss the boat around as if it were only a fleeting thought.  The spray of the sea, once gentle and refreshing, has now become angry waves crashing over the boat.  In the midst of all this, they notice a man walking where it is impossible to walk.  Bump!  Bump!  Bump! The road just grows bumpier!  No matter what they do, they simply cannot find a smooth stretch that brings them peace.

Have you been there?  Have you felt the bumps in life’s road?  Have you wondered if there would ever be a smooth section again or if the road you’re walking has turned into nothing but a series of potholes?  Take heart!  It is when the bumps of life come that Jesus comes to us.  The disciples saw him walking on the water and not long after they were safe.  And it is the same with us.  

Jesus knows where we are on life’s road.  He knows the bumps and jolts we face and he promises to be with us through every single one of them.  Nothing comes into our lives, no pain, no challenge, no difficulty, no blessing, unless he first allows it.  Life’s road is bumpy, but God’s presence makes it bearable and enjoyable.  Would you like to take a ride in God’s Bump Bump Truck today?  

The Turbulent-Free LIfe

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ow was your flight?”  This was the first question my dad asked me as I climbed into the car at the airport in Charlotte, North Carolina.  “The flight, “ I said, “was fine, except for the turbulence!”  My statement was indeed accurate.  For the majority of the flight, it was smooth sailing.  But every once in a while, we would encounter pockets of rough air and the small jet was bustled and jostled from all sides and in all directions—not exactly my idea of a swell time.

The more I fly, the more unrealistic about flight I become.  I expect the flight to be smooth from takeoff to landing with no incidents of turbulence, no hints of gusty winds aloft, and certainly no bumps, rattles, or shakes during the flight.  I know what you’re thinking.  “You’ve got to kidding, Blake.  Get real!”  And I would certainly agree with you that I need to be a little less naïve about flying. Hey, what can I say?  I’m an eternal optimist!

The turbulence does serve its purpose though and is a good lesson about living the Christian life.  Although being strapped in a metal tube at 38,000 feet is no picnic when the winds are buffeting, it is also the safest place to be in that environment.  The only place of safety, the only place where you can survive is inside that airplane.  It has been designed to withstand the pressure exerted on it by the atmosphere and it has been designed to fly in all weathers and in all conditions to deliver its cargo safely to its destination.  The very fact the plane is designed and built with these conditions in mind means the engineer knew there would be bumps along the way and made provision for them.  That turbulence exists comes as no surprise to the designer or the pilot, although it may be unnerving to the passenger.

The number of Christians who believe a walk with God should have no bumps, shakes, rattles, or turbulence is surprising.  Yet, nowhere in the Scriptures are we promised that life gets easier when we become a Christian.  Nowhere in the Bible does God promise that once we accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord that the road automatically becomes smooth and we just sit back and enjoy the ride.  No! It is in the difficult times of life that we understand and learn just how faithful our God is and just how much strength, assurance, and grace He gives to us.

Jesus’ words in John 17 should teach us that there will be bumps in the road of life.  In John 17:15 he says, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one."  This verse is taken from the section of John’s gospel known as the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus.  If you have never read it or if it has been some time since you have, I invite you to do so now.  This is where Jesus prayed for his disciples because he knew the hour for his crucifixion had come and that their lives would change and become turbulent.  Notice he does not ask God to take remove them from the world but to protect them from the evil one.  In other words, Jesus did not ask for smooth or turbulent-free living for the disciples; he asked for protection.  You only need protection if you are in danger, not out of it!

At 38,000 feet, the airplane protected us from the turbulence outside. It did not take us out of it as my shot nerves and aching muscles would tell you.  But only in that turbulence was my faith tested and rewarded.  Had it not been for the rough and bumpy patches in the flight path, I would have never appreciated the long tracts of smooth air nor the firm ground beneath me.  If this is the case with a flight, my friend, how much more true is this in our walk with God?  There is no such thing as a turbulent-free life and I thank God there isn’t!  Only in the most turbulent times can you here His voice saying, “Peace, be still!”  Thank God for the bumps in your road today!  Bon voyage!

Holding Hands

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he parking lot of the local grocery store is somewhat of a hazard especially on Saturday afternoons.  Honestly, it looks more like a flock of vultures circling a fresh kill as car after car makes the rounds ready to strike on the fist available parking spot within 100 yards of the front door.

I voluntarily entered this fray, joining the merry-go-round of cars looking for that perfect place to park.  Twice I was deprived of prime parking space by drivers who were better positioned than I.  One of the spaces was premo, I mean right at the front door.  But I buried my frustration and opted for an available spot further down the way.  It required me to walk a short distance but I figured it would be good for me to get some exercise.

Inside wasn’t’ much better. In fact, it downright was worse. At least the parking lot has lines showing you where to park and just where your limits are.  Inside the store, it was total mayhem as dozens upon dozens of shoppers vied and jockeyed for positions in the aisles, clawing and grasping at whatever was on the shelves.  I spent the necessary time to find my items and then, after a long wait in line, I exited the store, packed my trunk, backed out of the parking space, fought those still-circling cars of prey, and headed home.

Right in front of the store was a crosswalk and several people were standing there waiting to cross from the battlefield of parking to the battlefield of shopping.  Driver’s courtesy maintains that the pedestrian has the right-of-way so I stopped to let a young mother and her three children cross over.  She had one child on her hip and held the right hand of another.  Before crossing to the other side, she told her young son to hold on to his sister’s hand so they could safely cross.

That’s when it hit me.  Right there in a busy parking lot God showed me a wonderful picture of His love for me.  I don’t know how many times my own mom and dad have told me to hold their hands until we safely crossed a busy street, or wondered through a congested mall, or walked the halls of a hospital, new school, or some other scary place!

If this is how parents protect their children, then how are we to understand God’s protection for us?  Does the Bible give us any indication of just how close and personal God’s protection is?  Does God really take the time to hold our hand in times of trouble, distress, fear, or confusion?  The answer is yes and we need look no further than that wonderful prophet Isaiah to find our answer.

In Isaiah 41:13 we find the following words of assurance, “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.”  Now I ask you, with a promise like this should we ever worry about crossing the streets of life?  No matter how busy, no matter how dangerous, no matter how impossible the way may seem, God says He will hold our hand and that He will help us.  For this reason, we are not to fear, we are not to worry, we are not to fret, and we are never to lose hope.  Are you holding hands with your Heavenly Father today?

On The Other Side Of The Door

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here is something unique about the view from a hospital gurney. The ride from my hospital bed to the operating room seemed interminable because all I could see were the lights overhead as they passed by.  Voices unfamiliar to me were all around and my sense of direction was all out of whack!  Mom and dad were close by, following right behind as we made our way through the labyrinth of Duke University Medical Center on our way to the operating suite. 

When we arrived, the gurney came to an abrupt halt!  We had come to the green double doors that indicated the moment of separation had come.  On this side of the doors mom and dad were close by, giving me assurance that all would be well.  On the other side of the doors lay the operating room and the unknown.  After we said our goodbyes, the gurney moved forward, this time without mom and dad’s supervision, and I entered those unfamiliar surroundings all by myself!   

This is exactly how Joshua must have felt when the reality of Moses’s death and the realization that he would be the one leading the people into the Promised Land hit home. The journey to the Jordan River and the Promised Land had been a long one.  Joshua had experienced mana, the pillar of fire by night and the pillar of cloud by day.  He had accompanied Moses to Mt. Sinai where God gave the ten commandments, and he lived through the 40 years of wondering in the wilderness.  He and Caleb were the only two of twelve spies left who had actually seen the Promised Land.  But none of this prepared him to take the reins from Moses and lead the people over the Jordan River to possess the land.

On this side of the doors lay the history of his people and all he had known.  On the other side, even though he knew the land was theirs, lay the unknown.  How would they conquer the land?  How long would it take?  Could he do it?  What would happen if he should fail?  The questions must have been innumerable in Joshua’s mind as he played out one scenario after another.

What Joshua needed was support and assurance and that is exactly what God gave him.  In Joshua 1:9 we find these words of comfort, assurance, and encouragement: ^“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Take a few moments, slow down, and read that verse again, very carefully.  Notice that it begins with a question as God reminds Joshua that he has given a direct command. Joshua is not to be afraid, he is not to be discouraged. No matter how long the conquest lasted, no matter how many cities he had to vanquish, and no matter the size of the armies he would encounter, God’s command was clear: be strong and courageous, do not be afraid.  These were not requests or suggestions; they were commands. But the commands were followed by the promise that God would be with Joshua every step of the way.  The word, wherever, means just that.  There was nowhere Joshua could go, no situation he could face, no obstacle he could encounter without God being right along beside him!

And how about today?  How about the situations in life that we face, the obstacles we encounter, and the situations that overwhelm us and seem to grow bigger and bigger with each passing moment?  God’s answer is exactly the same as it was on the day he spoke these words to Joshua.  No matter where we are, no matter what difficulties we face, no matter how impossible the circumstances, and no matter how dark the way ahead seems to be, the God we serve is with us wherever we go—no questions asked!  Just a few verses before this, God makes this promise to Joshua: “…As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Several hours after passing through those double doors I emerged. I was sleepy, tired, very sore, and completely changed.  On the other side of those doors God was waiting for me and, although surrounded by unfamiliar faces, voices, and difficult circumstances, I was not alone! And neither are you my friend, neither are you!

Leave The Night Light On

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hen I think of home and all the wonderful memories I have from my childhood, one image in particular comes back repeatedly.  It is the image of the lights that burned during the night in our house.  My brother and I shared a room and each night before going to bed, we made sure the bathroom light was burning.  There was such a sense of security provided by that light.  As long as it burned, I knew everything would be all right.  I had no fear of the dark, of the things hiding under my bed, or lurking in my closet because I knew the bathroom light would keep me safe.

Some nights, when sleep eluded me, I would lie awake in my bed and look at the soft light coming from our bathroom.  There, in the stillness, the light would assure me that everything was okay. It provided companionship and dispelled the worries and fears I had of the dark.  The light was always faithful, ever vigilant, ever protecting, and ever present.  After a while, perhaps fifteen minutes or as much as an hour, I would drift off into a sound, worry-free sleep, secure in the knowledge the light would always be there to help me, to console me, and to protect me.

Most of us could share similar experiences from our childhood.  We all know what it's like to be afraid of the dark.  We can all identify with the child who fears the monsters under his bed or those hiding in his closet.  Even as adults, there are still monsters that haunt us late at night, and if we are truly honest, we would admit we still find great comfort in night lights.  We want something to take away the dark areas of our lives, those areas that frighten and paralyze us and prevent us from enjoying life to the full.

Would it surprise you to learn that the concept of the night-light can be traced back as far as the Exodus of the Hebrew children from Egypt?  It's true and our scripture today shows us that the children of Israel found great comfort and security in night-lights.  Exodus 13:21-22 says, "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people."

The night-light God provided for his people was none other than his own presence.  There, on the desert floor, having no idea where they were headed, God provided guidance for them.  During the day, a great pillar of cloud went before them and at night, the pillar changed into fire, providing light for their journey.  Can you imagine what it would be like to open the flap of your tent and see the presence of the eternal God?  On nights when sleep escaped you, or when you were afraid of the monsters in the dark, or when your mind was filled with all kinds of worries, all you had to do was open your tent, and you would see God's night-light.  This light burned all during the dark hours of the night.  It dispelled any fear, any threat, any worry on the part of his children.  There was great security, great peace, and great comfort in knowing the light was always there, always watching, always protecting, always burning.

On the campus of Southwestern seminary, the main classroom building stays lit all night long.  While I was a seminary student, I often imagined myself as one of the Hebrew children during the Exodus.  Whenever I couldn’t sleep, whenever I was lonely, whenever I just needed someone to listen to me, I would go look at that building.  In the soft light, I could hear God say so softly, yet so earnestly, "I am here.  You can sleep because I am awake; you need not be lonely for I am your friend. Come, talk to me, for I am here to listen.  Have no fear of the dark, for my presence is with you and my light can never be put out."

During all the difficult and trying times of my life, when it seems the darkness is all around, the pillar of fire continues on before me.  God never removed that pillar from before the people and I know he will never remove it from before or you me.  When darkness falls, it is wonderful to know that God always leaves the night-light on for us.  As the Psalmist writes in Psalm 21, "He who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep."  Today, as you walk with God, you have the confidence of knowing that no matter how dark the way seems, the light is always on.   

I Will Be With You

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ost people who know me would agree that I am rarely at a loss for words.  In fact, they would tell you that it’s hard to get a word in, especially when I’m on a roll.  I believe that’s why I love teaching language. I get paid to talk and I make sure my employer gets the full benefit of the investment.  However, there are times when words don’t come so easily.  I receive a phone call telling me someone has experienced a death in his/her family, or someone calls because they’ve had a falling out with a friend, or someone wants to talk because they’ve received word that a loved one has an incurable disease.  How do you respond at a time like this?  What words can you say or what can you do to minister to their needs?

I will always remember the summer of 1999. I was working as a chaplain at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, located in the southwestern United States.  I was one of two chaplains on call for this particular week.  It was our duty to deliver messages, address conflicts, do interventions, and attend to the needs of both staff and campers when called upon. It was during this week that I had to perform one of the most difficult tasks of my life.

Early on Tuesday morning, my beeper sounded, requesting me to deliver a message to one of the adult advisors who was on the trail.  I took the message, wrote down the necessary information and made arrangements to locate the advisor.  The message I carried was not an easy one to relay.  During the night, the advisor’s mother had passed away and it was up to me to deliver that message.  I had never delivered a death message and I had no idea what to do or say.  In all honesty, I didn’t want to deliver that message and would have loved to pass it on to someone else.  I asked another, more-seasoned chaplain to go with me and he agreed.  On the way he told me he would help me and gave me good advice about how to deliver this news.  As a result of his counsel, the message was delivered and I was able to minister to this person’s needs.

If you’ve ever been in a similar situation where you didn’t have the “right words” to speak, you’ll be glad to know you are not alone.  Some of the greatest men and women of faith have also felt inadequate when called upon to minister to and serve others for God.  One such man was Moses.  God’s request that he return to Egypt and confront Pharaoh left Moses speechless and scrambling for excuses not to obey God’s command.  He was scared and had no idea what to say.  I mean it’s not every day a guy is called upon to walk into the throne room of the most powerful ruler in the world and demand the release of the entire labor force.  You talk about needing the power of persuasion!!!!!  But this is exactly what God required of Moses; and, in a similar way, it is what He requires of us.

Exodus 4:11-12 gives us a wonderful snapshot of Moses at the burning bush, talking with God.  Moses has given almost every excuse in the book and yet God still calls him.  But God does not intend for Moses to go alone.  He never says “Go down, tell Pharaoh to hand over the slaves, and then meet me back here when it’s all over!”  No! Look at what God tells Moses in this conversation. “The Lord said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?  Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

Like all of us, Moses gives God every reason for not being able to carry out the assigned task.  Moses had difficulty speaking, he had murdered an Egyptian, and he was a fugitive.  Not a very impressive resume, is it?  But none of that was important to God.  He knew all about Moses and called him into service anyway.  We must understand that when God calls us to do something for Him, He always equips us and prepares us for that task.  Look at the last sentence in this passage of scripture. God promises to help Moses and to teach him the words to say.  In other words, the actions Moses would perform and the words he would speak would both come from God.  God never asked Moses to free the people, and He never asked Moses to take on Pharaoh.  Moses was incapable of both these tasks.  But God did ask him to do what he was able to do—proclaim God’s message.

There is a great lesson here for us today as well as great comfort.  God always calls us to things that are bigger than we are.  He always assigns us tasks that are out of our reach, that are too great for us to handle, and that are impossible for us to perform.  Why does it seem that God sets us up for failure?  Moses certainly didn’t feel confident about his ability to carry out his mission.  But God didn’t let Moses fail because Moses had to depend on God.  That is why He gives us such difficult tasks, so we will depend on and cling tightly to Him.  God assigns us the impossible, not to see us fail, but so that we will gain a better and more complete knowledge of who He is and His great love for us.    

Today you may be faced with sharing some difficult news with a friend, a co-worker, or a family member.  You might also be called upon to share Jesus with someone you know or perhaps a complete stranger.  The feelings of inadequacy are normal and so is a little fear.  But God has promised to go with you and to teach you what you are to say.  Go forward in His strength, in His provision, and in His love today.  You will not be disappointed and you will never, ever fail!

Don't You Care?

S

ummers in North Carolina are known for their heat and for their humidity.  The air is so heavy with moisture that a quick walk to the mailbox and back can leave you wringing wet.  The month of August is especially this way when the summer reaches its hottest point and all outside activity comes to a standstill. 

In addition to the humidity, Carolina summers are also infamous for the severe thunderstorms that appear from nowhere.  The day can be perfectly clear with few clouds in the sky.  Suddenly, large, black clouds form on the horizon, the sky grows an eerie gray, the winds increase in intensity, and the rains come.  Added to all this, keen lightening and loud claps of thunder frequently accompany these storms.  At times, the thunderclaps are so loud they shake houses and buildings to their foundations.

One of my aunts dreaded thunderstorms.  I remember her coming over to our house with my cousins, riding out the storm because she didn't want to be at home alone.  She would sit on our couch and every clap of thunder caused her to shudder and grow more frightened.  The storms scared me as well, especially when the power went out.  However, I knew we were safe as long as we remained inside and as long as one of my parents was with us. 

Luke's gospel records a very famous account of a great storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had been teaching all day and he and his disciples were tired.  They got into a boat to cross over to the other side of the lake.  Jesus, worn out from the day's work, fell asleep in the stern of the boat.  Suddenly, from nowhere, a huge storm formed over the lake.  The Sea of Galilee is known for sudden, tumultuous storms that form suddenly.  Due to the geography around the lake, these storms are usually accompanied by ferocious winds, causing large waves on the surface of the lake.  These storms have led to the sinking of many boats caught in the middle of the lake when they appeared.

Understandably, the disciples are afraid.  They see the winds, they feel the boat rocking back and forth, and they know the swelling waves could sink them.  Can't you just see them?  They are panicked, scared, and at their wits’ end.  They don't know what to do, or where to turn.  They only know they are in trouble!!  And where is Jesus?  Where is their friend and confidant?  Where is the one who promised to be with them?  He is in the stern of the ship, asleep!  Yes, in the middle of all this chaos, Jesus is sleeping!

The disciples wake him and fire one question at him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" (Mark 4:38).  Jesus, having been roused from a sound sleep isn't startled, angry, or the least bit agitated.  Their question doesn't offend or shock him.  However, instead of answering verbally, he demonstrates his care for them by calming the winds and the waves. 

This is always God's way.  He is not upset or shocked or agitated when we ask questions like the one the disciples asked Jesus.  Who among us hasn't wondered where God is at certain times in our lives?  Who among us hasn't asked why bad things happen if God loves us?  Who among us hasn't honestly wondered if God cared, really cared about His children?  We have all asked these questions and, perhaps, we are asking them now.

 

Life's sea is not immune from storms. Nowhere in the Scriptures does God promise us that smooth sailing lies ahead for those who follow Christ.  On the contrary, Jesus promised us we would have difficulty in this life but that we should be happy for he has conquered the world.  Notice that Jesus is in the storm with them, not hiding out somewhere, but he is right there in the boat with them.  This is a great truth.  God is not way out in space, far from reach.  Instead, He is with us in our trials, sharing our difficulties, experiencing all the things we experience in life's challenging moments.

Like the disciples, we often accuse God of not caring, of not paying attention to our needs.  These questions and accusations are usually born out of frustration, anxiety, anger, and fear.  At such times, God does what he does best.  Instead of verbally telling us he loves us, he shows us.  He wraps his arms around us and holds us to his chest.  There it is safe, warm, peaceful, and free from all care.

Today if you are experiencing a storm in your life, don't be afraid to call out to God.  He knows where you are, He knows you are afraid, He knows you are anxious, and He knows you are frustrated.  Do what the disciples did, go to Him, make your request to Him plainly, and let Him show you how much He loves you!  Had it not been for the storm that day, the disciples would have never learned what it is to have God say, "Peace, be still!"

Leave The Light On

I

 grew up in a small town nestled in the Piedmont of Western North Carolina.  Our house on Main Street was the place I called home, and the place where I learned so many of life’s important lessons.  At the time, I didn’t know how important they were nor did I understand the role they would play later in life.  But now, as I look back on those years and on that house, so many sights, sounds, and experiences come sharply into focus and I see my childhood in such a different light.

Our home was wonderful. I always felt secure and safe within its walls, especially at night when I had climbed into bed and daddy closed the front door.  I can still hear that door and remember how deeply I slept, confident that that door would remained closed and that mom and dad would take care of me.

Before going to bed themselves, mom and dad would check in on each of us and they made sure that the bathroom light was always on.  Although the sleeping arrangements changed for me as my brother and sister came along, that light in the bathroom never changed. It burned each night, standing watch over us and no matter how dark it grew outside my window, the light from our bathroom reassured me that everything was and would be all right until sunrise the next morning.

The gospel of John has much to say about light and darkness. He mentions the word light no fewer than 15 times in his gospel. It is here that Jesus says of himself that he is the “light of the world” and John begins with the notion of a “light shining in darkness” that the “darkness can never put out.”  What a wonderful promise this is because, not matter our age, we are all afraid of the dark.

In John 12:46 Jesus says, “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.” Please notice the two truths that are in this statement. First and foremost, Jesus makes it very clear that the world is a dark place.  We need look no further than the front page of our newspapers to understand this truth.  But Jesus does not leave us in the dark! He says that his purpose in coming was to be the light to dispel the darkness so we would no longer have to live in fear or in the darkness of sin.

Back on Main Street, if I woke up during the night because of a bad dream, or if I needed a drink of water, or if I just thought there was something lurking in the corner of my room, the bathroom light provided comfort, reassuring me that all was well, that nothing in the darkness would harm me and, that if I needed to get out of bed, I would be able to see where I was going.  What a wonderful picture this is of Jesus.  He watches over us constantly, protecting us from things we can’t see, providing light so we won’t stumble, and making sure that when we feel alone and afraid, that we see and feel the comfort of his presence.  Do you know the security of having Jesus as your nightlight today? He will always leave the light on for you!

Let's Face It

I

 simply love to read quotations. On the Internet, in a book, in magazines, you name it; I love to read the profound statements others have made.  This provides good food for thought and causes me to see things in a different perspective.

A few days ago, I was visiting one of my favorite Internet sites which boasts literally thousands of quotations. You can look them up by subject matter and author.  The site also provides several quotes at random on a daily basis.  One quote I found really caused me to stop and think: “Facing it, always facing it, that's the way to get through. Face it.”  The quote is from English novelist, Joseph Conrad.

I really like this perspective and for anyone who has ever faced a challenge or any of life’s difficulties it is understood that there are only two options from which to choose. We either turn and run from the situation or we face it—there simply is no other possibility open to us.

The prophet Isaiah knew all about facing difficult situations in life but he also knew that we do not, and should not try, to face them alone.  In Isaiah 43:2 we read, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Notice that the word through is mentioned three distinct times in this passage.  The writer speaks of water, rivers, and fire and at every turn he assures us that God will be with us.  We don’t face anything as God’s children on our own.  He is always with us in every trial, in every challenge, and in every one of life’s uncertainties.  They are uncertainties to us; not to God.

Jesus, himself, reminded his disciples of this fact just before his death. In John 16 Jesus promises his disciples two things: 1) that they would have trouble in the world, and 2) that he had overcome the world.  This does not mean that we, as Christians, will lead a worry-free life.  On the contrary, that we will have trouble is a promise but Jesus equally assures us he will be with us and that we will face no problem he has not overcome.

Joseph Conrad is correct.  We must face things in life to get through them and Isaiah reminds us that in every situation, every trial, every difficulty, and every pain that God is with us, through it all!!  Are you ready to face the challenges of the day ahead?  God is waiting on you!

Make Your Bed

One day, I was watching my mom as she cleaned the house.  We were in her bedroom and she was making the bed.  Intrigued, I asked her to teach me how to make the bed.  Little did I know that I would soon inherit this responsibility for my own room.  At the time, it seemed like the grown up thing to do.  I wanted to learn to make the bed, so, she taught me.  From that moment on, making my bed became my responsibility and it had to be done every morning, no excuses!  The novelty of making my own bed soon wore off as the reality that this was expected of me settled in!   

To this day, I still make my bed every morning.  Ok, Ok, almost every morning.  I hope my mom is proud of me for listening to at least one thing she tried to instill in me those many years ago. I'm still working on keeping the space beneath my bed from becoming permanent storage.  Sorry Mom, I AM trying!!  Some lessons just take a little longer to learn!! 

Today's scripture comes from one of my favorite Psalms.  In this popular psalm, David speaks of God's presence and his care for his children.  David, of all biblical characters, knew what it was like to have a close relationship with God.  He understood and enjoyed an intimacy with God that is rare among believers.  It's not that this relationship is impossible, it's just that few of us actually pursue God to the same extent that David did. 

In Psalm 139:8 David writes, "If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there." Why, you may ask, did I choose this particular verse?  Why not address other, more positive ideas present in this psalm?  I chose this verse because I believe it makes one of the most assuring and positive claims in scripture. 

I have had many opportunities to make my bed in different places in the world.  I have made my bed in Australia.  I have made my bed in New Mexico, in Texas, in North Carolina, in Georgia, and several other states.  For two years I made my bed in France and I have also made it in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland. On several occasions, I have made my bed in hospitals as a patient and every time, I have found David's statement to be true. There has been no place I have visited where God was not.  

While living in France, God was there.  He provided shelter, food, clothing, and medical attention when I needed it.  He traveled with me to Italy when I made my bed in Rome and spoke to me of the cost of being a disciple as I visited the great Coliseum.  In Germany, I slept in the city of Munich and visited the concentration camp at Dachau, and God was there. 

Wherever I have made my bed, wherever I have lived, wherever I have visited, God's presence has been with me.  He has never abandoned me and he never will.  When David spoke of making his bed in hell, he did so to demonstrate that even in the most remote places and in the most adverse circumstances, God is there.  He knows where I am, he sees what I am doing, he is aware of my needs. 

No matter what the circumstances, no matter what the difficulties, no matter what the assignment, God bids me to make my bed in his presence and to sleep there in peace.  David, who penned the words found in our lesson today, also wrote these words in Psalm 4:8, "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."  This morning as you start your daily routine, remember to make your bed.  No matter where that is, God is there, watching over you, keeping you, guiding you, remembering you, and loving you today!!