'The Price is Right' Kind of Comfort

There are many activities my kids simply won’t do without me: Meeting new neighbors, walking across a narrow log, flying on a plane, riding a roller coaster to name a few. I wish they were more daring, but at the same time, I like being the source of their strength. In 2 Tim 4:17, “The Lord stood at Paul’s side and gave him strength.” But how does this work? I am physically there to hold my kids hands and whisper comfort in their ears—in what way did Jesus stand by Paul’s side, and how did Paul receive strength from it?

I often touch on suffering while I preach, and I confess that I myself struggle understanding—much less explaining—in what way God is with us and helps us in our suffering—what difference that can possibly make? But now I understand that this short letter of 2 Timothy, written late in Paul’s life, gives us the answer.

Paul shows us clearly through his writing that strength comes from an eternal perspective, knowing that just as Christ has overcome death, Paul knew that—in Christ, he would too. It is as if—no, Jesus is standing beside Paul with his arm around him, pulling back a curtain, revealing a glorious view of what really and truly lies in store for Paul, ready for him to simply walk in and receive the prize.

Look through Paul’s eyes at what Jesus is revealing by pulling back the curtain during the very experience of Paul’s suffering: In 1:10, Christ has brought “life and immortality to light, in 1:18 Paul is looking ahead to that day, in 2:8 Paul relates (equates?) the gospel directly to the resurrection of Jesus. A couple verses later, this is why he can endure hardship—for salvation and eternal glory. In chapter 3, he writes of terrible times in the last days preceding the return of Christ.

Perhaps the most powerful sign that Paul is looking ahead and receiving strength through this eternal perspective comes in 4:6 and following: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering and the time has come for my departure.” Paul knows he is going to die soon, and this is his last letter. But he follows immediately—not with sadness and despair, but with the exact opposite: “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day!”

And finally, one of my favorite verses, which reminds us that the presence of God in our lives is no empty comfort, it is not just in our minds, it is no mere sentiment. 4:18 reads, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.” Here, physical death has absolutely no meaning for Paul. It is at most a door to walk through. No, it is a mere reminder that this life we now live is more like a dream in comparison with that life which is truly life and which awaits us who long for His appearing. For Paul (and potentially for us), Jesus has shattered our well-defined, puny conception of getting old and dying at about age 78.5; Jesus has opened up the reality, and the view of, untold thousands of years, upon untold thousands of years…which we will do in the prime of our lives.

God, to you be glory for ever and ever, Amen!

Delayed Flight, Expedited Friendships

The terminal was huge, and would-be passengers were spread throughout waiting for their long delayed flight from Greenville, SC to St. Pete, FL. This was no business crowd, instead it was mostly families who were more patient with delays and who were glad to save a buck with a discount airline.

We were only concerned with our youngest, constantly trying to come up with new, innovative ways to keep a 20 month old from screaming our ears off well past midnight. But our other three—this was a dream come true. We generously doled out soft pretzels, and caramel covered Bugles. The airline felt bad and gave out ice-cold soft drinks (I’m sure they cut off my son Craig at some point).

Groups of kids were chasing each other, drawing, playing cards, and huddled around DVD players watching cartoons. And as I met and spoke with one parent from Tampa in another part of the terminal, my four year old, Benjamin ran up, looked at his kids, and said with a smile, “Look dad, we have more friends up here.”

We dreaded this evening on account of our infant (for good reason). But to see this experience through an older kid’s eyes is something of a delight, even something like the New Heavens and New Earth. It will be like a massive, mile long terminal, better yet, a City. It will be ripe for, and inviting to, young explorers who long to see what is around the next corner. It will be full of interesting games and activities. And yes, it will be full of friends—but not limited to the friendships we have on this earth. Instead, everyone will be our friend. We will know them instantly, and grow in our knowledge and love of them with endless time. We will run on young legs to the next group, and the next group, of laughing, excited sojourners, and we will say to one another, “Look, we have more friends up here.”

Default Response

Nehemiah is one of my favorite books in the Bible—what is most interesting is that he always seems to be praying. My favorite is when he is in the presence of the king, and the king asks what he wants. Before Nehemiah responds, he prayed to the God of heaven (2:4). This must have been a very short prayer so as not to keep the king waiting, or to seem indecisive.

One of the greatest blessings for a Christian is that we can pray whenever we want, wherever we are, no matter the circumstances. There is no external circumstance that can keep us from this privilege. Yet I find myself so often failing to utilize and exercise this gift.

God, help me by making prayer my default response in times of need. And in times of peace and quiet, lead me to pray. Before running to music and talk radio, put yourself on my mind. In the chaos of family life, remind me to pray. And far from being a mere duty and burden, may it become more and more sweet and enjoyable as I realize the reality of the Holy Spirit within me.

Staycation

Psalm 156:4 reads, “The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods.” I am realizing more and more that this is one of the many paradigms that make up my life experience—that my life is a constant series of running after other gods. If it is a god made out of metal it will rust. If it is built on physical fitness, I will feel a new pain in my knee. If it is the respect of others, my stellar performance must be repeated and even improved upon.

Thankfully, by God’s grace, he allows and ordains such sorrow. By God’s grace, every time I run away, I experience disappointment and run back. One Puritan pastor confessed, “I am always running into distant lands (as the Prodigal son), and you are always running toward me to welcome me back.”

Father, may these poorly planned trips of mine become less and less frequent, and may they be of ever-shortened duration. May you catch me before I walk out the door, causing me to examine my motives and goals. In fact, that you would inspire my thoughts, desires and dreams at every moment in such I way that I would be continually chasing after you, the one who satisfies my desires with good things.

God, I am a mess. I am both a mess, and a beautiful work of art; a wretched sinner and a beloved saint. Help me to become what I already am in the most important sight of all—yours. Help me to feel more and more one of your beloved children. Help me to know more and more that there is no condemnation, only complete forgiveness. And help me to experience in my life, in ever greater degrees, actual life transformation—making the holiness that Christ gives me legally an increasing reality in my day to day experience.