4/22/2007

During today's sermon, the pastor referenced once of my favorite passages of scripture. Isaiah 40:29-31:

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Although, to be honest, I totally disagreed with the pastor's implications for this verse, I was reminded of a sermon I heard preached years ago by Pastor Dobson. (Some of you might remember this, too!) The image that comes to mind is Pastor Ed showing us what it looked like to walk and not faint...it wasn't glamorous. It didn't look strong, or enjoyable. It didn't look pain-free or pleasant. Instead, it left the impression that your shoes had been stolen and the rocks were sharp; your side ached and your skin was burned and the sun shone oppressively; it had been too long since food and water had helped fend off that stomacheache, and the thorns to your left and right had been leaving their marks for far too long. The only positive thing you could say is that you were still conscious--you had not yet fainted. But what we like to think is that the sentiment of 'soaring on wings like eagles' applies to the 'walking and not growing faint.' We like to think that we are promised mountaintop experiences, when really, we are just guaranteed what is necessary to sustain us spiritually.

Imagine the disappointment people could have in Jesus if we represent Him as a granter of wishes. We have to represent Jesus to a world in which the reality is darkness. If our evangelistic technique involves denying the reality of the darkness, sin, and fallenness around us, we will have multitudes of people who never finish the 'Christian walk.' Why? Because when circumstances change from favorable to otherwise, these people will feel abandoned or betrayed by this God who they assumed would rescue them from every nightmare. That day will come--heaven is our reward--but until then, we must learn to carry on in a dark world because we have peripheral vision that is able to acknowledge a greater reality.

Go ahead, acknowledge that it is dark...because it is. But persevere, with joy, because ultimately the Light of the World will banish the darkness. On the days when you are soaring, rejoice! Those days aren't a guarantee. On the days when you are walking and not fainting, take heart! Jesus knows what it is like to walk up a long, hot, hill while bleeding and bruised. Jesus knows what its like to have monsters to the left and monsters to the right. Jesus knows what its like to carry a heavy burden. It is good just to know that someone understands. That someone else has been there. Jesus is like that. He doesn't take away every illness, pay every bill, or put food on every table, but He walks beside you when you are sick, poor, and hungry. How great is our God!