Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks put the circumstances of our lives, both good and bad into God’s hands and help us see them through His eyes. Last night our beloved daughter-in-law Melinda slipped from this world into the presence of Jesus. And while we are overwhelmed with grief and shock, these words are promises to which we cling. Melinda has finished her race. Her battle with cancer is finished. And while that pernicious disease claimed her physical life, it could not touch her soul. That remained fully and exclusively in the hands of Jesus with whom she now lives. Nancy and I didn’t know how to process the news that came in three words. “She is gone.” Yet as sadness rolls over my heart I sense the message echo back from Heaven, ” She has arrived!”
“Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that ‘democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…’ ” Winston Churchill November 11,1947
Tomorrow the great experiment in American Democracy will hold its next lab-class. As poll workers, my wife and I have a unique perspective, that I hoped would bring some calm and light in what may feel like a crazy election cycle. I am now seventy-five years old, and for my entire voting life, with each new cycle, I have heard again that this will be the most important election in history because of the changes it will bring. But, to me every election that we choose to vote (or not vote in) is the most important, because we can only choose today. Yesterday is already a moot point and tomorrow is a day never promised. So, without political vitriol or further pomposity, let me share what tomorrow will look like.
We will arrive at 5:45 and begin to set up the polling place. Though people cannot yet cast a ballot, they are free to watch us as we go to our various stations. At precisely 7 am, the first voters will file in. Because I serve in my local precinct, I will know a few people, but most I will not. Some are so young, that this will be their first election, others so old and fragile that their son or daughter helps them as they again exercise their right to vote. Some will vote for the candidates I choose, and some will not. Some are far smarter, wealthier and definitely better looking, while others are quite ordinary. As the lines ebb and flow, I smile at each voter, try to greet them by name and hand them the most valuable thing on earth: their ballot.
Yes, this democratic experiment has had its share of problems, and yet we also have granted more freedoms, and allowed us the ability to choose in secret, and preserved a peaceful transfer of power since the beginning. After all the votes have been counted, some folks will dance, others will challenge the results, and many may complain bitterly. But at the end, we will have new governors, senators, representatives and judges, and on Wednesday morning most will peacefully go back to work. No bombs will fall on us, or missiles fly overhead and if we will pause long enough to consider, we just may begin to give God thanks for His amazing grace in this land of the free and the home of the brave!
God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in time of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Psalm 46:1-3 ESV
I have always loved the word, Selah. It is like the rest in a page of music. It is the pause in which we absorb and appreciate the notes already played, take a breath and then prepare for what comes next. In a busy life, I need more Selah, and most of all, I need to meet with Jesus there. Only He can help me understand what has already happened when things seem out of control and only He can give me hope to face the future. He has promised to always be there in both difficulty and blessings, to never forsake me, when everyone else walks away, and to love us forgive us and keep us in His arms forever. Selah!
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11 ESV
I am pretty sure than when Jesus called us sheep, it was not a compliment. No matter how many sweet coloring book pictures we fill in of pure white sheep strolling through pastures, it doesn’t make it so. Sheep are helpless, and that is their best attribute. Next, they are dirty and last of all, not particularly bright. He didn’t intend for us to respond by saying, “Wow! God made us sheep! Now life will be perfect!” No! Instead, Jesus wanted us to know that as sheep, we were in need of a shepherd. And as He points out in John chapter ten, not all shepherds are equal. Some just show up for the pay. They do the minimum, by making sure we don’t starve to death or die of thirst. But when a real problem – like a WOLF! – shows up, they are as gone as a snowball in… well you know where!
But the Good Shepherd…that would be Jesus. He didn’t see the wolf and run. Instead, he stayed between us and the fangs and killed the wolf but died in the battle for our soul. Now that’s a Good Shepherd worth following, and if He said that He is the good shepherd and I am His sheep it means that I belong to Him! I do hope you will take time to read the entire story of the Good Shepherd in the book of John and that you will be blessed with this short message given at Life Care Center this past week.
You must be logged in to post a comment.