SAVIOR OF SOLDIER CRABS

SAVIOR OF SOLDIER CRABS

The message of gospel truth is present throughout creation to all who will open their senses and sensibility to discern the voice of God.  In my travels, I once came across one of God’s simple-but-fascinating creatures, the soldier crab.  They caught my attention because their behavior depicts a picture of mankind’s need for divine intervention and grace.

Although they are somewhat elusive, soldier crabs can occasionally be found on the sandy shore at low tide.  Their appearance is quite different from the crabs we typically see.  They have a sky-blue dome about the size of nickel.  Attached to this dome are long, spindly, cream-colored legs, which they use to lift themselves on the sand.

The unusual name of soldier crabs comes from their tendency to march around in large groups.  They emerge from holes in the sand seeking food; and because of their close formations and blue shells, they look like a marching army.

When I drew closer to observe, I noticed a distinctive characteristic in their behavior.  Soldier crabs have an amazing ability to burrow down quickly into the sand.  Sensing my presence, they vanished in mere seconds, leaving nothing behind but tiny mounds of sand.  Each time I tried to get close, they dug and hid again.  More than likely, I was too big and overwhelming; from their perspective, possibly a predator.  

It occurred to me that the only way I could get close to those soldier crabs would be if I had the ability to transform myself into one of them.  Of course, I don’t have the ability to do that.  But isn’t this a marvelous image of what Almighty God has graciously done for US?  We were just like soldier crabs.  Our fallen nature caused us to feel too small and too sinful to commune with a transcendent and Holy God. 

So the all-wise God did not approach us clothed in His majestic splendor.  Instead, He condescended to our level and appeared to us in a form that looked like us and communicated like us.  And miracle of miracles, through our close encounter with His Son, Jesus Christ, we became “the righteousness of God” – with the call and capability to “come boldly to the throne of grace…to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (II Corinthians 5:21 and Hebrews 4:16) 

God did not overwhelm us; rather, He joined us so we could be reborn and reunited with Him.  In other words, the Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God.  What a good, gracious, merciful, loving and mighty God we serve!  

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

SINCERITY - SOFTNESS - STRENGTH

SINCERITY - SOFTNESS - STRENGTH

Our handwritten letters often end them with the phrase, “Sincerely yours.”  Have you ever wondered why?  This practice has its origins in ancient Rome.  Using melted beeswax, Roman sculptors frequently concealed cracks in what only appeared to be flawless marble statues.  However, when the wax dried and crumbled, angry purchasers returned and sought compensation.  Thereafter, more reputable sculptors guaranteed their work as “sine sera,” which means “without wax.”  The phrase “Sincerely yours” derives from this. 

Likewise, we Christians are called to be people of sincerity and integrity, whose words embody truth.  Sincerity shall always be the cornerstone of the character of God’s children.

Contrary to what is typically prevalent in the presidential debates, our words need never be blustery, or boastful, or loud in volume.  Most of the time, less is more; and, true strength is discovered in surprising and unexpected places.

Although we are accustomed to thinking of strength as the polar opposite of gentleness and softness, this is not always the case.  During World War I, British fighter pilots made the amazing discovery that layers of silk provided great protection against low velocity shrapnel, far more effective than steel.  So they wound silk around their heads, worn inside their helmets.  Scientists still aren’t sure what gives silk its incredible strength.  But in certain situations, soft and tender silk proves to be much stronger than hardened steel.

JESUS CHRIST shows us that the same holds true for human character.  While some people showcase harsh and impenetrable exteriors, the Savior requires far more of us.  In fact, our openness and our softness become the magnetic currents that transport others to the cross of Calvary, where they become gracious recipients of His divine love.

How SINCERE, SOFT and STRONG are you?

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

THE DISCIPLINE OF DISTANCE

THE DISCIPLINE OF DISTANCE

An extraordinary author by the name of Chaim Potok writes extensively about the life experiences of Hasidic Jews.  He penned numerous novels that I have enjoyed over the years: “In The Beginning,” “The Book of Lights,” “Davita’s Harp,” “My Name is Asher Lev,” “The Promise,” and my all-time favorite, “The Chosen.”

In Potok’s book, “The Chosen” he spins the story of Danny Saunders, the eldest son of a strict Hasidic Rabbi.  For many years, Danny’s brilliant yet very human father, never spoke one word to his son, except when teaching him out of the Torah and Talmud.

On the surface, this total silence appears to be a terrible act of cruelty, but one day the mystery is revealed.  Rabbi Saunders explains that God has blessed him with a remarkable son, a child with a mind as rare and precious as a jewel.  When Danny was just four years old, his father saw him reading a book and became frightened.  The book described the suffering of a poor Jew, yet Danny appeared to thoroughly enjoy it!

In Rabbi Saunders’ view, “There was no soul in my 4-year-old Daniel, there was only a mind.”  The Rabbi cried out to God, “What have you done to me?  A mind like this I need for a son?  A heart I need for a son, a soul I need for a son, compassion, righteousness, strength to suffer and carry pain.”

Thereafter Rabbi Saunders followed an ancient Hasidic tradition and brought his boy up with a bare minimum of words passed between them.  The result – from the Rabbi’s point of view? “In the silence between us, Danny began to hear the world crying.”

If this story sounds vaguely familiar, it is due to this fact: Every mature Christian has experienced those lonely moments when GOD appeared to be absolutely silent, entirely absent from our circumstances.  Prayer seems somehow hollow and ineffective when GOD is MIA, missing in action.  Frantically, we ask ourselves, “Does Heaven even HEAR us?  Oh GOD…are you there?”  At such times, we enter into a careful soul-searching, an honest self-examination.  But quite often, no transgression is found that tells us ‘WHY’ God has gone on sabbatical.  We feel isolated.  We feel desperate and fearful that He might not soon return to us.

But the promises of God are steadfast and sure. (Hebrews 6:19)  What did Jesus Christ say?  “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, NKJV)

But God’s teaching methodology is reflected and repeated in His creation.  Those seasons of silence are much like the moment when the soaring eagle drops its eaglet into the upper atmosphere, trusting that there is sufficient strength and knowledge to soar on its own.  Those seasons of silence are much like the moment when I removed training wheels from the bicycle of Wayne II, or Mike, or Kim – giving them one hopeful push while trusting that I had been a skillful tutor and they had been attentive learners. 

Rabbi Saunders always loved his son.  The mature eagle is always nearby.  Likewise, the watchful parent never leaves the scene.  But mission-critical lessons of trust and faith that reside in their apparent silence and distance.

GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN YOU.  LESSON LEARNED.

Sometimes, He is merely allowing space for your spiritual and emotional development, i.e. the priceless opportunity to be experientially conformed to the image of Christ.  So don’t stress.  There is purpose in the pressure.  And there is destiny in what only ‘looks like’ distance.

Look around you, my friend.  JEHOVAH SHAMMAH IS THERE. (Ezekiel 48:35)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

SUGAR-WATER VENDOR OR WORLD-CHANGER?

sugar-water vendor or world-changer?

Recently, I read an intriguing article by an unknown author.  It motivated me to revisit my life-mission and life-vision.  I hope it will have the same impact on you.  Please read and prayerfully ponder.

Who among us could live without computers?  It seems they’re everywhere – in our studies at home, on our desks at work, in the library, the bank and even in the cafe.  We get pleasure from them, we get frustrated by them, but we truly need them.

It’s only a relatively recent phenomenon.  Just three generations ago, the Chairman of IBM declared that there is a world market for only five computers!  As recently as 1977, the President of Digital Equipment claimed there is no reason anyone would want to have a computer in their home!

The global technology revolution was brought to us in large part by Steven Jobs, the founder of Apple Computers.  Steve Jobs was just 21 when he and Steve Wozniak invented the Apple Computer.  Until then, computers were a monstrous mass of vacuum tubes which took up whole rooms.  These two men managed to take that mass of tubes and incorporate them inside a box small enough to sit on top of a desk.

Jobs and Wozniak offered their invention to Atari.  They weren’t interested in big bucks.  All they wanted was a salary and the opportunity to continue their work.  Atari turned them down.  Then they offered it to Hewlett-Packard, but that corporation rejected their invention.  It seemed that Jobs and Wozniak alone could envision the possibilities.  So Jobs sold his Volkswagen and Wozniak sold his calculator, and with $1300 they formed Apple Computers.  The company was named Apple in memory of one happy summer that Jobs had spent working in an orchard.

By all accounts Steve Jobs is an iconic visionary.  Spurred on by that vision, he formed a monumentally successful computer company.  However, Jobs soon realized that if his vision was to reach full fruition more managerial expertise was required.  So Jobs approached John Sculley, the President of PepsiCo.  There was absolutely no reason why Sculley should leave a highly paid position in an international firm to work with a bunch of computer nerds in a fledgling industry.  Not unsurprisingly, he turned Jobs down.  But Jobs wouldn’t take no for an answer.  He approached Sculley again.  Again Sculley turned him down.  In a last ditch effort, Jobs passionately presented his visionary ideas to John Sculley and asked him a strategic question that motivated him to accept: “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared-water or do you want a chance to change the world?”

The rest is history.  Jobs and Sculley fundamentally changed the world.

JESUS CHRIST challenges us with the same question: “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling ‘sugar-water’ – or will you embrace the awesome opportunity to transform our world?”  Fact is, most of us spend our lives focused on tasks that neither resonate in time or eternity.  We work tirelessly to accumulate MORE, and perhaps we occasionally find a small space for Christ and His Kingdom in our spare time.  But JESUS CHRIST has a vision – THE VISION – that has (and will) change this world!   the kingdom of God demands to be positioned at the center of our lives, i.e. to make it our very reason for existence.

In the challenging words of our Lord and Savior, JESUS CHRIST, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 - NKJV)

My friend, what have YOU been doing?  And even more importantly, WHAT WILL YOU DO TODAY?

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

YOU ARE NOT THE ENEMY!

YOU ARE NOT THE ENEMY

One of my favorite New Testament scriptures is Ephesians 6:12. It informs us of the true identity of our enemy. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (NKJV)

You are not my enemy. I am not your enemy.

All too often, CARNAL THINKING (which is actually stinkin’ thinkin’) causes us to believe that our “enemy” is someone who may be lacking in cordiality, i.e. they did not speak to us today, or someone who seems to be somewhat dismissive or even critical of us. Guess what? In the vast majority of cases, your enemy is not someone who you can see with the natural eye. You have only one true enemy, and his name is Satan, the archenemy of your soul.

So we must stop seeing others who merely disagree with our ideas or decisions as the enemy. In truth, they might be an essential deposit of wisdom, blessings and favor in our lives. At the very least, occasional friction will likely produce personal growth and development in the long-term.

People are not your enemy. Indeed, they are your sisters and brothers.

Erich Remarque’s book, “All Quiet on the Western Front” tells of a remarkable encounter between two enemy soldiers during World War II. In the heat of battle, a German soldier took shelter in a crater that had been formed by artillery shells. After a while, he noticed an enemy combatant nearby. This man was dying and the German soldier’s heart went out to him. He gave the dying soldier water from his canteen and listened as he spoke lovingly of his wife and children. And he found the wallet of his ‘enemy’ so he could look at pictures of his family one last time.

In that compassionate encounter these two men ceased to be enemies. The German saw the wounded soldier in a new way; not as an enemy combatant but as a father and husband, someone who loves and is loved, someone just like him.

We are empowered to enter the path of peace and reconciliation when we learn to COMPASSIONATELY SEE OTHERS and to recognize in them someone similar to ourselves. Let’s not live our lives in a knee-jerk manner. Before we patently reject someone because they look, think, speak, or act differently from us, let’s try looking at them in another way. After all, that person is an individual who, just like us, is striving to make it through this journey called life.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

THINK, BELIEVE, DREAM, DARE

THINK, BELIEVE, DREAM, DARE

I thank GOD every day for DREAMERS and VISIONARIES.  According to The Holy Writ, “Where there is no VISION, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)  Indeed, these God-given human ‘gifts’ manage to consistently mobilize the energy and enthusiasm that keeps us LIVING, i.e. moving ahead, regardless of conditions or circumstances.

So…relative to YOUR time and productivity on the planet, here is a strategic question that you must ask and answer honestly: WHO or WHAT did you allow to confuse, confiscate, discourage, or drown your dream?

How I love the story of the eight-year-old boy who was approached by an elderly gentleman in front of a wishing well.  The young lad looked up into the older man’s eyes, and asked: “I understand you’re a very wise man.  I’d like to know the secret of life.”

The old man looked down at the youngster, considered carefully for a moment and then replied.

“I’ve thought a lot in my lifetime, and life’s secret can be summed up in four words:

The first is think.  Think about the values you wish to live your life by.

The second is believe.  Believe in yourself based on the thinking you’ve done about the values you’re going to live your life by.

The third is dream.  Dream about the things that can be, based on your belief in yourself and the values you’re going to live by.

The last is dare.  Dare to make your dreams become reality, based on your belief in yourself and your values.”

And with that, Walter E. Disney whispered to the little boy, “Think, Believe, Dream and Dare.”

My friend, it is never too early (or too late) to DREAM…

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

WHO IS SIGNIFICANT?

WHO IS SIGNIFICANT?

For most of my professional life, I have operated in dual functions, primarily as a clergyman, but also as a sales representative/manager.  Both arenas have imparted priceless lessons about who and what is of real importance in this journey called life. 

One of my early success-points in sales was the discovery that the janitorial staff of any facility knows more about who’s who and what’s what they almost anyone else.  There’s a broad smile on my face as I reflect on the mission-critical data (and commensurate income) that I derived over decades from interactions with individuals who manned the mop.  While many colleagues counted them as insignificant, I greeted them warmly, or brought morning coffee, or remembered them at Christmas time.  In turn, they supplied me with names of key corporate players and invaluable information about their willingness to see sales reps, along with helpful tidbits about their personalities and daily schedules.  Bottom-line: They worked everywhere in the building and knew everyone.

Every PERSON HAS SIGNIFICANCE.

Consider this.  During her second month of teaching, a nursing professor gave a pop quiz.  The last question totally stumped most students.  It read, “What is the first name of the woman who cleans our classroom?”

Her students had seen the cleaning lady numerous times.  She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how might any of them know her name?  After the class had ended, one student asked if the last quiz question would count toward their grade.

“Absolutely,” said the professor.  “In your nursing career you will meet many people.  All are significant.  They deserve your greatest attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello.”

Her students never forgot that important lesson.   All of them made it a point to meet the woman who they had hardly noticed; and they learned her name, Dorothy.

Every PERSON HAS SIGNIFICANCE.

Sir Michael Costa was a great orchestra conductor of the 19th Century.  It is said that one day he was conducting a rehearsal in which his orchestra was joined by a great choir.  Midway through the practice session, the piccolo player stopped playing.  It seemed innocent enough – after all who would miss the tiny piccolo amidst the great mass of loud voices and blazing instruments?  But all of a sudden Sir Michael stopped the entire orchestra and choir.  “Stop!  Stop!  Where’s the piccolo?  What happened to the piccolo?”

Every PERSON HAS SIGNIFICANCE.

We may sometimes feel like that piccolo player – that we don’t have very much to offer.  We may be tempted to believe that if we were to stop our small ministry, or our personal words of encouragement, or whatever ‘tiny thing’ that we bring to the table, that nothing would be impacted and no one would even notice.  However, The Great Conductor is intimately aware of the part that we play, and His orchestral masterpiece would somehow be incomplete without our seemingly insignificant part.

My friend, stay the course.  YOU are significant to GOD…and YOU are significant to US.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

TAKE CARE WHAT YOU HEAR

TAKE CARE WHAT YOU HEAR

As a young child, I passed through Morgan Avenue on my way to the Bass residence located on Schoonmaker Avenue in our hometown of Monessen, Pennsylvania. The late Mr. James Wade, Sr. was standing on his porch, and he offered some intriguing advice which at the time seemed somewhat arbitrary. “Wayne,” he admonished, “believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see.” Although I did not understand his meaning at that point in life, now it makes much more sense.

Dr. Isaac Clark, my seminary adviser and an accomplished professor who taught two important subjects, “Homiletics” and “Communications,” insisted that more opportunities are won by effective communication (or lost by inaccurate communication) than anyone could possibly know. He often warned us of the inherent dangers that live in the land of “MIS-communication.”

It reminds me of an important battle in European history, between England and France. On the evening of June 18, 1815, an anxious man stood in the tower of England’s Winchester Cathedral gazing out to sea. Finally he found what he had been looking for – a ship sending a signal with the use of lantern lights. As the young man strained to see the message, all of England held its breath, waiting for news of the outcome of a decisive battle between their military leader, the Duke of Wellington, and the French dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte. Having ruled most of Europe, Bonaparte saw England as a threat, and now the decisive Battle of Waterloo was just coming to an end.

That man stood in the Winchester Cathedral tower, waiting to convey news that would determine England’s future. As heavy fog rolled in, the signal arrived. It just barely made it through, but how he wished it hadn’t, for the signal read: “WELLINGTON DEFEATED.”

This bad news was communicated quickly across the countryside, bringing great gloom and sadness. But then there was an unexpected reversal. The fog lifted, and the message was sent again, this time in full: “WELLINGTON DEFEATED THE ENEMY!” There was great joy in that nation for Wellington had won!

Likewise on Good Friday, the apparent message was simply this: “CHRIST DEFEATED.” But three days later, they discovered that the message had not been received in its totality. The resurrection reversed every initial impression and confidently declared the full gospel: “CHRIST DEFEATED THE ENEMY!”

So just like Joshua and Caleb, two Israelite stalwarts of faith, you must steadfastly refuse to give an audience to ‘The Majority Report’ that is only published by doubters, detractors and deceivers. After all, YOU and GOD actually (and always) constitute THE SPIRITUAL MAJORITY, appearances notwithstanding. (Numbers 13:27-33)

Although conditions might SEEM to be carrying you into the fire or underneath the water, here is what the Lord declares about you. “When you pass through the waters, I WILL BE WITH YOU; and through the rivers, THEY SHALL NOT OVERFLOW YOU. When you walk through the fire, YOU SHALL NOT BE BURNED, nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isaiah 43:2, NKJV)

Winner-believer, HEAR HIS VOICE and attend to none other. (John 10:27)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

WILL YOU BE THE ONE?

WILL YOU BE THE ONE?

Special thanks are extended to Moses Thavheni for sharing the following inspirational article with us:

David was bringing food to his brothers at the battlefront when he saw Goliath.  He wasn’t thinking of becoming a hero, he just seized an opportunity that other soldiers only dream about.

Opportunities often catch us by surprise, and if we’re not alert and ready, we’ll miss out on them.  What others discovered in David that day had actually been there all along!

YOU already possess the talents necessary to lead and to be victorious.  It is your courage and conviction that will establish you as a mover-and shaker-in this life.  The people we revere the most demonstrate great courage – courage on the battlefield and in the boardroom, courage to defend the defenseless, courage to attempt what no one else deems possible.

Often people look in the face of opportunity and say, ‘But I don’t have the money.’  Friends, don’t worry; capital tends to follow courage.  The WHAT must always precede the HOW.  So don’t be intimidated by the numbers because GOD is not moved by opinions, spreadsheets or market conditions.  GOD is moved by FAITH.

So never allow HOW to intimidate you.  HOW is challenging for one reason and one reason only – because it provides overflowing opportunity.  If the pathway to success were well lit and easily attainable, it would be completely crowded.  If HOW wasn’t a significant challenge for us to engage, someone else would already have figured it out.  But YOU can do all things through the power and guidance of GOD.

All progress begins with one question: “WHAT needs to be done?”  Someone should always be asking that question.  Why not YOU?

The future belongs to those who have the courage to ask the question and the faith to hang in until they discover the answer.  When obstacles look too big and opposition seems too strong, stand with faith on this scripture passage:

II Kings 6:15-16 (KJV)

¹⁵ And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an HOST compassed the city both with horses and chariots.  And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master!  HOW shall we do?

¹⁶ And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

In that scripture, “they” represents Almighty God and the heavenly host.  In other words, “if GOD be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)  In closing, I have a key question for every believer: 

WILL YOU BE THE ONE?

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE WOUNDED HEALER

THE WOUNDED HEALER

You are not alone.  Although there are days and dilemmas that might cause it to appear that way, the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, the One who walks alongside, is always with you.  It is the encouraging affirmation of Jesus Christ, Himself.  “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20)

Oh how He loves you and me!  Never forget that it was Jesus Christ’s eternal and unconditional love that nailed Him to the cross, not the sharp spikes of any Roman executioner.

Isaiah 53:4-6 (NKJV)

⁴ Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.    
⁵ But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.   
⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.   

To wit, Jesus died in our place.  He suffered, bled and died vicariously – for our sins.  He is the wounded healer.  And His wounds become our help, our health and our healing.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Now it our time and opportunity to return His divine favor by becoming healing seeds, sown graciously (by Him) into the lives of others.  Here is the naked truth about us.  We are broken vessels.  We have been shaped by sin and marred by iniquity.  But we are still in the Potter’s hands.  (Psalm 51:5 and Jeremiah 18:1-6)

It has been said that scarred hands heal best.  That’s me.  That’s you.  WE are now deputized wounded healers who have been appointed and anointed by THE WOUNDED HEALER to serve the Kingdom of God and to win lost souls – who will (in turn) walk in their divine purpose and destiny and draw others unto Him. 

Ultimately, you are a spiritual reproduction of the “Christ in you, [who is] the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)  So…wounded healer…who have you touched?  Who will you touch…today?

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

WORKING YOUR WAY THROUGH THE GRIEVING PROCESS (Part IV)

WORKING YOUR WAY THROUGH THE GRIEVING PROCESS (Part IV)

Previously, I made an error that must be corrected.  I listed DEPRESSION as the third stage of the grieving process.  Actually, it is the fourth stage, following DENIAL, ANGER and BARGAINING.  Please pardon my mistake.  Following are the five stages of the grieving process (according to Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross) in the actual order that they most typically occur.

-DENIAL

-ANGER

-BARGAINING

-DEPRESSION

-ACCEPTANCE

Since I have already discussed DEPRESSION (albeit out of sequence in Part II, on Thursday, 08 October), I will conclude this devotional series by highlighting the fifth and final stage of the grieving process, which is ACCEPTANCE. 

Eventually, ALL OF US will come face-to-face with the inevitable reality of our mortality.  No matter how lengthy our journey on the planet, it comes to an ultimate conclusion, as all things must.  Thankfully, given sufficient time and assistance in working our way through the previous stages, most of us arrive at a point where there is neither anger or depression about what has occurred (in the case of the death of a loved one) or what is to come (in the case of one’s own impending death).  In both instances, the ‘mourner’ will have systematically measured the magnitude of his/her loss by reviewing a host of life memories and/or shared life experiences.

For the Christian, acceptance can actually become a joyful stage.  However, Dr. Kubler-Ross describes it as a stage that is often devoid of feelings.  Predictably, during this time, one’s circle of interest greatly diminishes.  There is little appetite for food, even favorites that have always caught our attention and enthusiasm.  And dependent upon the individual, communication may become more nonverbal than verbal.  In fact, endless conversation by those who are concerned for the mourner may become a source of irritation.

This is an opportune moment to address the behavior and decorum of those who would bring comfort to the grieving or the dying.  Now hear this!  It is more our task to LISTEN, rather than to speak or rattle on and on with meaningless platitudes.  I call it the MINISTRY OF PRESENCE or the MINISTRY OF LISTENING.  In truth, there is no way that those of us who would bring comfort could know precisely how the mourner feels or what they are going through (emotionally, physically, or spiritually), even if we have experienced what we believe to be a similar loss.  Indeed, every life is ENTIRELY unique; and thus, our life experiences (and the ways we process them during times of mourning) are as different as the fingerprints that are distinctive for every human being.  Therefore, the comforter must enter the scene with no agenda, no judgment and no expectation regarding the attitude or actions of the mourner.  Unconditional love, real sensitivity and compassionate silence (along with the offer to communicate as needed) are the orders of the day.

Having served in ministry for nearly five decades, it has been my honor to serve the needs of the dying and the living during these troubling times – preliminary to loss or in the aftermath of loss.  Where indicated, and when led by the Holy Spirit, I have offered simple and personalized interventions of the gospel message.  And, I have found these moments to be opportune times for a full acceptance of Christ’s atonement and offer of personal salvation.  It is important to be gently persuasive (not high-minded or heavy-handed) during such delicate and pivotal moments.

FAITH informs me that GOD has a plan.  God never fails.  And it is His divine will that none should perish. (John 3:16 and Matthew 18:14)  In truth, death is a curse that all of humankind has inadvertently embraced via a deliberate embrace of the sin of disobedience. (Genesis 3:1-19)  But that’s not the end of the story, not by a long shot.  For we believers have been deputized by GOD with a message of HOPE that we must convey proactively to the living and to the dying.

The Word of God has much to say about death and its destiny.

I Corinthians 15:20-26 (NKJV)

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the first fruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

No, death is not the end of the story…

I Corinthians 15:51-55 (NKJV)

⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.⁵⁴ So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” ⁵⁵ “O Death, where is your sting? O Grave, where is your victory?”

I close with selected lines from my favorite sonnet, written by the English poet, John Donne.

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee

Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;

For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow

Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.

One short sleep past, we wake eternally

And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

Remember: God never fails.  When we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His plan.

Amen?  AMEN!!!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!