One of the things I most appreciate about the Word of God is the honesty of the various authors. No one tried to hide the truth; David was an adulterer, murderer, a lousy father, and struggled with the events surrounding his life. Elijah was so depressed that he wanted to die under a broom tree. Paul struggled with sin, doing things he knew he should not do and not doing what he was supposed to do. Job had his trials and questioned God. Even Jesus cried out from the cross about being forsaken by the Father. (I recognize that these words were for those within ear shot so that they would finish the Messianic 22nd Psalm). Still the writers of the gospels shared the sighs of Jesus, his frustration at times with the people, and even asking God to take away the cup of affliction. The psalmist share their struggles with God and life's deepest questions. Jonah complained about the mission field to which God sent him. Nothing is hidden from our sight because God is the God of truth. The people of the Bible had real struggles and real doubts. While in prison John the Baptist asked if Jesus were truly the promised one, that is real life. You get the idea, the Bible is honest about life and our relationship with God.
Yet, in the church today we put on fake smiles and tell others how blessed and highly favored we are when in actuality we are hurting, struggling, and unsure where God is in the midst of our storm. Unfortunately, today honesty is missing in many of our churches. Job's friends are quick to show up in the form of well meaning saints who instead of bearing with us in our time of need are quick to point out all that we have done wrong. If we share our concerns, struggles, and even doubts someone will tell us if we just had faith or if we would just pray more or if we would just sow more than we could reap more things and life would go better for us. I believe all of these things because I have seen them in action but it does not make the struggle any easier. We live by pithy idioms or as I call them, bumper sticker theology. Life is more than about easy words or catchy phrases. You cannot just smile your troubles away. Life is about a relationship with a Heavenly Father and in any relationship there will be some struggles. Even Jacob wrestled with God. Because we cannot be honest with one another little true ministry is actually being done in our churches. People are afraid of being honest in the one place that it should be safe to be honest, the church. We are afraid of what people will think or say about our struggle or even our questioning of God. We are worried that we will be thought less of because of our struggles. Yet, it is in the midst of the struggle that we often find God. It as we are crying out to Him that He will answer. It is in the midst of the dark night that we discover the truths of God's Word. It is as if the deep calls unto the deep and God will once again assure of His sovereignty and love for us. Let us be honest with one another as we walk in grace and truth with one another, loving each as a fellow traveller along the road of life.
Yet, it is in these places of strife that we truly encounter the living God. God showed up to answer Job and explained his actions to Jonah. Again, it is about the relationship. Struggle brings us closer to God because we are being honest about where we are and what we wrestling with. God knows our thoughts so we just need to be honest with ourselves and others. So many struggling people are being pushed out of the church because there must be something wrong with them if they are questioning or having difficulties. There is nothing wrong with these people, they are just being honest in where they are with God. I am like the man in the book of Mark, Lord I believe but help me in my unbelief.
May we bear with one another in love and grace as we struggle with the things of life.
How true.We become so wrapped up being an illusionist as to what a Christian should be. (on the outside). The issues, bondage's and the need for hope, help and or deliverance will never manifest until we get honest as to what is really going on the inside. In simple terms, lost mankind cannot get saved until he or she ADMITS they are a sinner. The sick cannot be healed until they acknowledge they are sick. It is good to speak a positive confession, but don't allow it to blind you to the truth as to what you stand in need of from the benefits of you salvation.
ReplyDeletePastor Rick Eller