"Strengthen the Feeble Hands, Steady the Knees That Give Way."
On Being Made – Part II
Dec 12th
I was blind but not deaf. I couldn’t see them, but I heard them very clearly mumbling to one another as they walked my way. All my life I had swallowed these accusations from people who knew nothing of who I was. They asked, “Who sinned that this man was born blind?”
Who sinned? I’ll tell you who sinned. Whoever made me this way sinned. Whoever carved me out of some faulty clay sinned. Whoever left me to endure life like this sinned. I was born like this. My parents are not perfect and neither am I, but many with sight have done far worse. If this is my punishment—where is theirs?
I thought these things, but as usual, I said nothing. I hoped that they would soon pass by and I could go back to the silent world of darkness that was mine.
I heard approaching but assumed they would pass as they always do—with quiet disdain. But one of them touched me. I almost ran but could not. The man spit on the ground, mixed it with His hands and lifted it to my eyes. Mud. He placed mud on my eyes. It didn’t hurt but it was mud made from Continue Reading >>
On Being Made – Part 1
Dec 8th
Between our yesterdays, what we were and what we are to become, between our failings and our perfection—is the place of being made. While I am certain that one day I will be who God has me to be, I am hardly comfortable with His means of my perfecting. I am not at ease with the kneading, the pressing, and the cutting. I often wonder why He will not leave me alone, why He won’t leave me to be what I might become. Then, as if shocked into consciousness I recall—He loves me.
He will not let me become just anything because He has plans for me, plans to prosper and not to harm. Instead of the hapless growth I conceive, He prunes me for hope and for a future. Between the yesterdays and the tomorrows, drawing them both together into one unique whole—is the Father’s love, the Son’s sacrifice and the Spirit’s tending. Because He loves me, what I might become is simply not good enough.
Make no mistake; it is the resistance of the clay that prolongs the becoming. There is no lack within the artist for His hands are strong. Should He press just a little more—I would be crushed. Continue Reading >>
We Need Not Shudder
Dec 5th
If we have only evolved… And no sin exists at all… If we are all there is… Then yes, we should shudder…
If the cross offered only temporary reprise… And if sin did not truly die.. If life were not fully ours.. Then yes, we should shudder…
If God’s love were not so pervasive… His truth not so transcendent… If His mercy were not so comprehensive… Then yes, we should shudder
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No, we did not evolve… And yes sin does exist… We are thankfully not all there is.. And so, we need not shudder.
The cross did pay once for all… And yes, sin did truly die… Life is now eternally ours… And so, we need not shudder.
His love does the world embrace… And His truth does time outpace… His mercy does all things consider… And so, we need not shudder.
Truth… His grace is greater than our sin His strength stronger than our weakness His promises truer than our fears And this, our anchor forever and ever Amen
Gal. 3:1-4, Phil. 1:6, Rom. 5:20
On Rejoicing and Mourning
Nov 27th
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15
I watched a tennis match recently that taught me an important lesson about rejoicing and mourning; sometimes they share the same stage. Big-serving American John Isner (6’9”) overcame Frenchman Julien Benneteau in the finals of the 2011 Winston-Salem Open.
Isner, the 26 year old who turned pro in 2007, was the higher ranked player and heavily favored. He grew up in North Carolina just 25 minutes from the stadium, site so his family and friends were there to cheer him on. In fact, he stayed with his folks all week, and drove daily to the courts for his matches. It was a classic hometown drama especially since it was also the inaugural tournament. Then there was the underdog.
Benneteau, the 29 year old who turned pro in 2000, has been hampered by injuries most of his career. He qualified for the tournament, meaning that final match was his 8th match in 7 days. Benneteau’s semi-final match had finished very late and involved three long, grueling sets. He was very tired. Adding to the drama, Benneteau was 0-5 in finals. He had been in five finals but had lost all. At 29 his Continue Reading >>
