The Gift of Right Now

Born eighteen months apart, they have been as inseparable as identical twins. Their earliest memories come from the double-wide baby buggy the two of them shared. To the younger brother, his sister has been the one who has loved him best of anyone in the world. She understands him when nobody else seems to have a clue. It is hard to imagine one surviving without the other. But, as the days grow short, her health is in jeopardy. In his despair, the brother rants about deathbeds and dying, living in anguished anticipation of the day that he will no longer be able to seek the comfort of her presence. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof. ---Matthew 6:34 Another sister reminds him that none of us can be certain that he will sleep in his own bed tonight. No one can claim that he will see another morning. We all need a perspective adjustment. Under the curse of sin and death, we are all dying. For some, death comes as a shocking surprise. Others receive advance notice and are blessed with time to prepare. Yet others recognize that I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. ---Galatians 2:20 With this perspective, we do not face death. We have already died. That is the eternal reality found in God‘s Word. We who have died “early” pass already from death to life. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ---Romans 6:3-4 Even so, we do not relish the thought of separation from our loved ones, even temporarily. God created us for community. He assigned to us His ministry of reconciliation, that all may be one with Christ Jesus. But, we all fall short. We miss the mark. We live with the regret of what cannot be erased, what cannot be undone, what we neglected to do. All of that becomes part of the grief we experience. Looking back, which should bring joy and laughter over things remembered, can be an opportunity for the accuser of the brethren to load us down with regret. It is his way of getting our eyes off Jesus. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. ---1 John 3:20 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. ---Psalm 103:14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ---Philippians 3:13-14 All that we have is right now. If we see each moment as a gift to cherish, living in the present in the presence of Jesus and the loved ones He has given us, then our times of separation will be as free of regret as is possible this side of eternity. God grant that we so live. Another day is at its close, its joys and sorrows spent. Another night of sweet repose unto the earth is sent. In Thee, O Lord, my trust I place, no change can Thee befall. My days and nights, filled with Thy grace, by Thee are numbered all. Safe in Thy keeping let me be when daylight fades away, And gladly will I worship Thee when dawns another day. If death this night should summon me, O Jesus, be Thou nigh. Grant that I rest, secure in Thee, whether I live or die.* ----------------------- *Author unknown, this was the bedtime prayer we learned from our grandparents during summer vacations at their home in the city.

Cold Feet And Strong Arms

The choice lay before her. Darkness, fast overtaking winter twilight, forced her decision. Around the lake to her boarding house was a mile long walk, across the lake half the distance. The young country-school teacher decided the ice was thick enough that she could venture the shorter route. At first, the ice felt solid beneath her feet. But, the closer to the center of the lake she walked, she knew she was in trouble. Here, the ice gave no sure foundation. As she began to run, she glanced over her shoulder in the fading light and saw her footprints like black marks in the ice, running together into a single ribbon.... ....Away in her parents' home, the teacher's mother decided to catch a quick nap before the midweek Bible study and prayer meeting. A dream interrupted her sleep and jolted her awake. Immediately, she set to prayerful intercession for her daughter's protection. And, when the train brought her daughter home for the weekend, the mother greeted her thus: "Why didn't you drop me a postcard and tell me what happened Wednesday night? I had a dream, and I saw you running across the lake with your footprints making a ribbon behind you." My mother was that young teacher who took the shortcut. Unlike my father's stories that aimed at a child's heart, Mom told her stories to prompt us to think. Actions have consequences. But, even in our mistakes, God is faithful. He already has connections to call His prayer warriors into action when we find ourselves in need of a hedge of protection. Just as Peter discovered in a situation similar to my mother's, Jesus' strong arm was right there for him. In his characteristic bravado, Peter had challenged what the apostles feared was a ghost. He told Jesus in effect, if it's really You, then let me come walking on the water, too, to meet you. And, Jesus allowed it all to happen. Peter's story is a personal favorite because it is such a wonderful illustration for all of us. Jesus bids us to come to Him, to walk with Him, to follow where He leads. We, like Peter, step out in faith, knowing our Savior only can be trusted with our life. Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, as the Scriptures encourage us, is the key to our solid foundation. Only when we find ourselves distracted by the storm around us (or the enemy's reminder that we can't "walk on water," since we are just frail humans, after all) do we suffer that sinking experience along with Peter. But, even in this predicament, what a joy to discover that "underneath are the everlasting arms," of our Lord and Savior. As Corrie ten Boom reminds us, there is no pit so deep but God's love is deeper still. We may lose faith, lose our footing, lose our way. But, Jesus remains faithful, our solid foundation, the Way that is our provision in every circumstance of life. To "read more about it," check: Matthew 14: 22-33; John 14; Deuteronomy 33:27; 1 John 1:7 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." ---Hebrews 12:1-2 So, may we all lift our voices in praise and adoration of our Lord Emmanuel, in the words of Simeon: "For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel." (Luke 2:30-32) Originally published as "Footprints Across The Water," The Salt & Light Report in St. Paul's January 2008 Messenger.