Be There...It's That Simple and That Hard

We've had illness at our house for the last few weeks and it's slow.ed. us. down. In times of physical discomfort and nurturing those who are uncomfortable, I haven't had any particularly insightful spiritual wisdom except...."presence." Simply being there--in the moment, sharing pain--is powerful.

"Was Jesus changing diapers at 3:00 a.m.? Cause that's what I need--someone who's been there."

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That's what a student recited at the high school play last week. We know Jesus was up at 3:00 a.m. regularly, praying (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:15; 6:12). We know He endured everything a man ever can or will; that He was made like us in every way (Hebrews 2:17-18). But His purpose was unique--and as a result, you and I are here. You. Me. We're here to be Jesus; to be one whose body fights weakness, fatigue, illness, hunger, lust, depravity--and who is redeemed, reborn, recreated.

For those of us who have accepted His payment for our sin, Jesus' presence is the power that moves and changes us. It's not a presence that's "out there." His Spirit is "in here"--dwelling, at home, living in and through us (John 14:16-17). And because Jesus is God, fully everywhere at all times, we can take comfort in knowing He is with us "always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). His presence allows us to give up selfish desires and love others. It's a slow, day by day, year after year transformation. Not reformation. Not conformation. Transformation. Complete, radical change. And it is the living, breathing, loving life that gives hope, peace and comfort to those in suffering and pain.

Warning:
1) You can only be there if you've embraced and endured.
You may not have had exactly the same experience, but you can be there for someone else if you've worked your way out of bitterness, fear, resentment, anger or self-pity with God's help. If you haven't, you will help no one. You will only breed more: more bitterness, fear, resentment, anger and self-pity. Like a child's finger-painting, you will add to the confusion and chaos with dark colors of unconfessed sin. But if you've considered the prophets of old, who spoke in the name of the Lord; if you've run to the name of the Lord as your strong tower; if you've considered it joy to suffer and learn and grow then you can undergird, uphold, encourage, come alongside and bind up the broken-hearted.

2) You can only be there if you're there.
If you isolate yourself from the trouble of others, brush off another's hurt with words of platitude or condescension, refuse to get involved, or simply say, "I'll pray about it," you are not the presence and aroma of Christ. Loving yourself more than others is not a measure of presence but self-protection. Jesus did not protect Himself, He gave Himself freely and trusted His Father to meet His every need. The payment of His presence was pain, suffering, a life of poverty, and ultimately, death. Are you really willing to be Jesus in the life of others?

If you want to be there, if you're willing to enter another's hurt, offer your presence. Be Jesus. Tell them of His eternal forgiveness and the hope that's available in Christ. Live it. Share it. It's life the way He intended it.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.

For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us,He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many. 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Stay in Your Lane

"Why do I have to put on napkins? Carl's not doing his job."
"What did I ask you to do?"
"Put on napkins."
"Are you doing your job?"

Then I remembered these verses, "Peter...said to Jesus, 'But Lord, what about this man?' Jesus said to him, 'If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.'” (John 21:20-21)

That's the story my friend, Jess, shared the other night and it's stayed with me. It's so easy for me to blame other people for my failure; to get distracted by someone else and not do my part. As another friend says, "Stay in your lane." As soon as I start worrying about someone else or trying to "fix" them, I've crossed the line and am headed for a collision.

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Jesus said, "That's a none-ya" (none-of-your-business). "You. Follow me."

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.  But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” 
Matthew 12:34-37

For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written:

“As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”

So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.  Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. Romans 14:7-13

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 
Hebrews 4:12-16

What Does it Matter? What the Resurrection Means Today

At our Good Friday service, Pastor Tim Waldron asked, "What difference does the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ make in your life?"

In the quiet moments between remembering His death and celebrating His resurrection, I made a list of what life would feel like if I did not live in the reality of Christ's death and resurrection (I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below--this is not a comprehensive list):

• I would look for meaning but fail to find "it." Driven by the desire to add value, gain other's approval, possessions, have fun, be entertained, and experience "wow," my life would pass, but with no eternal, godly value.
• I would lie awake at night in hopeless despair about tomorrow, next week, next year.
• I would feel pressure to solve all my problems: paying bills, raising children, resolving conflict, keeping my world safe and comfortable.
• I would chase distractions. I wouldn't want to be confronted with death or the idea of eternal judgment.
• I would feel very alone. Even in my marriage, with my family, children and best friends there would be a sense of isolation and exposure.
• I would be caught up in painful memories. The past would haunt me. I would wonder why they happened and how or if I could have changed the outcome. My days would be filled with avoiding similar circumstances and situations.
• I would seek laughter. I would create opportunities to express mirth: sarcasm, rude comments, cynical remarks, mocking and scorn.
• I would vacillate between being overly busy and slothful. I would work my mind and body until it couldn't function then check out for long periods of time, avoiding thoughts of the past and future, but caught in worry and anxiety.

That's me and my limited, sinful human tendencies played out in a life without Christ. And to be honest, even now I struggle with sin, failure and shame. But because of what Jesus did for me on the cross, I can go to Him and He will help me. He's just that big, that able, that caring, and that willing.

Because of Jesus' death for my sin and His resurrection from the grave:

• My life has meaning, purpose and value because everything about Him has eternal meaning, purpose and value. Even as I live on earth, I'm laying up treasure in heaven. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:20-21, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
• I sleep peacefully and completely, because God's got my back.  In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8), In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves. (Psalm 127:2)
• I have a responsibility to love God and my neighbor, to trust and praise God. He, however, is sovereign over all and promises to take care of me. He knows my needs and meets them.  He's all-seeing, all-knowing and all-powerful. For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:25-34)
• I have no fear of the future, of death or judgment because Jesus has been there and taken its punishment in my place. Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:18-19)
• I am never alone. Even in the darkest, most painful times of life, God is by my side; He is everywhere present. "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:20)  ...be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
   Hebrews 13:5)
• I still struggle with the past and pain, but as I read God's Word and submit to His design for my life I find peace, comfort and purpose in His will and way. He is eternal, knowing the end from the beginning. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)
• My life is characterized by laughter. I take joy in the formation of the clouds, in the interactions of children, the beauty of daily life. I don't need to create laughter, it's all around me. God is a God of goodness, purity and joy. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
• I am content with busyness and rest. I trust God with a day of rest each week, in illness, unplanned interruptions, demands, or emptiness. God knows and plans and uses and designs all things. Nothing happens without His say so. ...all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! (Psalm 139:15-16)

What difference does Jesus' death and resurrection make? All the difference in the world. As the disciple, Peter, said, "“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69) And in knowing, in believing and doing, we find hope.