As Good as Dead

It has already been a long, hard, tiring year (you heard me right – YEAR!). As the kids get older, and become involved in more and more activities, both at school and at church, and as we get busier with commitments to church, our families and our jobs, the added time and effort puts extra wear and tear on clothes, our vehicles, and my body. Here it is, only the end of February, and I already feel worn out. It seems to pay great dividends to master the art of the “power nap”. Sometimes, I just want to lock the doors, take the phone off the hook, unplug all the appliances, and collapse on the couch. During some of those times, it seems that it would be a whole lot easier to turn in the keys, turn over those responsibilities to someone else, and just say “NO”.

But it is also during those times that I draw some of my greatest encouragement. One of my favorite passages in the Bible is found in Hebrews 11. We all know that as the “faith” chapter, where the writer extols the virtues of the great faith of our spiritual forefathers. He lays out the unshakable and unthinkable deeds undertaken and accomplished by the prophets of old as examples of how we can stand firm and weather the storms of uncertainty in our lives. One of the funniest – and most encouraging – examples given is of Abraham. Read verses 11 and 12:

“By faith Abraham, even though he was past age-and Sarah herself was barren-was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.”

Did you catch it? Because Abraham considered God faithful to His promise, he and Sarah had a son even though Sarah was barren and even though Abraham was as good as dead! Abraham was about 100 years old when Isaac was born (Romans 4:19). According to Genesis 25:7, he was barely past middle age, for him (he lived to be 175), yet the inspired scripture paints a picture of him as old and feeble. Abraham had already accomplished so much! When God called, he picked up his family, left all he knew, gave up the comforts of home, and headed out, not knowing his destination, or even his direction, all because God said to go. At God’s direction, he relocated to a foreign land, not knowing the culture or anything about the inhabitants, and simply pitched a tent.

But the most inspiring thing about this passage is to see that Abraham never stopped allowing God to use him to do great things to build and further God’s purpose. He never quit serving! And God never quit using Abraham. I guess that God is just waiting for some of us to age, to ripen and mature, so that He can begin another great work through us.

When I anticipate that God has such a purpose for me, I look forward to retirement so that God can truly call me to service. I am grateful to Jerry Myers for continually reminding everyone of Galatians 6:9:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

What Does Love Sound Like?

Well, it’s Valentine’s Day and our thoughts, and minds and hearts are turned to Love. We agonize over what to give, or where to take, or what to do for our sweetheart so that we can forever be ingrained in their memories. We drink in all the details of our beloved so that we can recall that warm feeling on those nights where we are apart, separated by distance or after they have departed this earth, and we imprint those emotions on every one of our senses.

Often, just as in Pavlov’s experiment, those very same emotions wash over us at the slightest remembrance of a certain sound, and we again find ourselves transported back to those magical places and times which we shared with our precious darlings. Perhaps the sound of gentle waves reminds us of a romantic stroll on the beach. The melody of the music box revives visions of the last ride on the carousel. A favorite song, a baby’s cry, laughter, the rustling of leaves, the weeping of a funeral …even silence…speaks volumes of love to our tender hearts. All these and more are vivid reminders of the love shared, the lives lived, and sacrifices made for us.

Now think back to a time unknown to you, some 2000 plus years ago, and imagine the cry of a newborn baby, intermingled with the bleating of sheep and goats and the braying of donkeys. Hear the sounds of celebration at a wedding feast, and the delight of the guests when the “good stuff” pours forth from the jars which, only moments before, held water. The amazement of the scholars at the insightful answers given by a common everyday 12 year old boy. Listen again (or for the first time) at the rich and powerful voice that seems to come from nowhere but delights in the proclamation, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Feel the sudden energy of a tired and weary teacher when little children run to Him and shower Him with affection. Tremble at the sound of the power of the storm that threatens your life, and marvel at the voice that speaks it into submission. Sense the awe when you realize that the Son of God is praying for you!

These are the sounds of love. But sometimes love hurts.

Experience the rage of the bloodthirsty crowd as they cry, “Crucify Him!” The whispers of tearing flesh as He is beaten mercilessly within an inch of His very life. The mother’s cry. The heavy footsteps burdened by the weight of massive timbers. The dull thud of the spikes as they penetrate flesh and cartilage and sinew. A cry of abandonment and a final breath.

Yet amid the clamor, the scoffing, the weeping and the deafening roar of the crowd, our Savior spoke of family and of forgiveness. However, perhaps one of the most significant and powerful sounds of love we could consider is the sound of stone upon stone, as the grave was opened, and as we witness death’s defeat.

So what does love sound like? The sweetest sound of love is the movement of the water as it entombs us and as we break free from the bonds of sin and death, and as we hear the Master say, “well done, My good and faithful servant!”