Peace in the Face of Mortality

 

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8 ESV).

 

I am often reminded of my mortality. Those reminders come from physical degeneration as well as the glaring truth in aging. Mary and I often talk about various topics surrounding our mortality. When you have lived over three-quarters of a century, facing the inevitability of death is not difficult. This is magnified with the news of our peers who have died. Death is much closer for us than not. That is an inescapable truth. The real question for us is whether we are at peace when we reflect on our own mortality.

 

Though our life with Christ will never end, we know that our journey on this earth is not going to last forever. One day we will stand in our Creator’s presence. In our reading today (cf. 2 Timothy 4:6-8) the apostle Paul reflects on this important moment of his life. His thoughts about the end of his life on earth are filled with stirring emotion and striking imagery. He is honest with us in his sadness, just as he is strong in his Christian hope.

 

As Paul reflects on his years as an apostle of Christ, he uses language from the sports world. Paul says he has successfully finished the race and has observed all the rules—the teachings of Christ. He has kept the faith; and, now he is ready to accept his award—the crown of righteousness.

 

Throughout his ministry Paul has trusted in his Savior. He is doing the same now as he nears the end of his life on earth and looks forward to a new adventure in God’s ­presence. Only by God’s grace can we be faithful, credited with Jesus’ righteousness and crowned to live in his presence forever. Rest in that grace extended to you by your heavenly Father. Death no longer holds any power over us!

 

The Sovereignty of God Brings Peace

 

Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; the burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:8-11 ESV).

 

In moments of uncertainty and chaos, finding peace in the assurance of God’s sovereignty is a source of strength and comfort. Whatever our life circumstances may be, God is in control, guiding our paths and working out his perfect plans.

 

Our reading today provides one of the many bases in Scripture for being able to trust God in times of difficulty. We are reminded to be still and to acknowledge that the Lord is God. His authority transcends all challenges. He is exalted above every situation. And in this we can find peace.

 

I have experienced the calming presence of God’s sovereignty even in the midst of brokenness, addictions, and sorrow in my own family. In times of turmoil or when facing the unknown, trusting in God’s ultimate control brings a deep sense of peace. Knowing that his purposes prevail and his promises endure gives hope and reassurance.

 

Drawing peace from God’s sovereignty means surrendering our worries, fears, and desires into his capable hands. In faith we can rest in the truth that God works all things together for our good (cf. Romans 8:28). It is the ultimate encouragement to trust that God has got it!

 

As we navigate life’s uncertainties, let’s anchor our hearts in God’s sovereignty. May his peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

 

Peace that Guards Our Heart

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 ESV).

 

The Wisdom of Solomon tells us to guard our hearts: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23 ESV). I have two cardiologists who help me manage my cardiovascular disease. There are all kinds of medications I take along with staying physically active and keeping my weight under control to “guard” my physical heart. However, those practices do not take care of my spiritual heart. The Apostle Paul tells us in our reading today that it is the peace of God that guards our spiritual heart.  

 

Philippians is sometimes called one of Paul’s “prison letters.” That’s because Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned, probably in Rome (cf. Philippians 1:12-14). While the details of Paul’s imprisonment are scant, it probably was similar to what we would call “house arrest” today (cf. Acts 28:16-31). Despite being bound with chains, Paul was able to share the gospel during his two-year imprisonment in Rome.

 

Even though Paul enjoyed some freedom while living under house arrest, he was carefully guarded by a Roman soldier. Paul was probably chained to whoever was responsible for guarding him. That’s helpful to know, because when Paul writes about the peace of God that “guards” our hearts, he uses a word that was common in military jargon. Paul may have been chained to a soldier, but he was also connected to a much higher authority. Paul belonged to God and was protected by the peace of God.

 

God gives his people that same peace to today. That’s why so many believers feel protected and at ease in situations that would otherwise make them feel worried and discouraged. If you are feeling anxious and afraid today seek the peace of Jesus (cf. John 14:27). He cares for you and wants you to have peace. He wants your heart ot be guarded carefully!

 

Peace

 

[Jesus said] “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.” (John 14:27-29 ESV).

 

“Shalom!” When Mary and I first visited Israel many years ago, “shalom” was one of the first words we came to use. "Shalom" is a Hebrew word that primarily means peace, but it also commonly serves as a greeting, like "hello" or "goodbye". Beyond simple greetings, however, "shalom" encapsulates a deeper sense of wholeness, well-being, and completeness. It can refer to peace between individuals, groups, or nations, as well as to the personal well-being and prosperity of an individual.

 

For most people that peace requires a place as much as a change in circumstance. Some prefer the warm sandy beaches with the sea breeze blowing in gently from the ocean and the sound of the ever ebb and flow of the waves. Others, like myself, prefer the mountains with the majestic views of the peaks and valleys on the horizon and cooler air wafting in on a slight breeze. However you best experience “peace” there is only one constant source of such emotion.

 

So, today we’ll begin to consider real “shalom.” While “peace” often refers to an absence of conflict, shalom suggests the presence of goodness, flourishing, right relationships, and all things being as God created them to be. Shalom points to all things living in line with their character so that they can fully achieve God’s intentions for them. Living in right relationship is essential for human flourishing—right relationship with God, with others, with self, and with God’s creation. That’s what God intended. Yet because of human sin and rebellion, those relations are twisted and spoiled. Poverty and all its limitations are the result of relationships gone wrong. Even so, God’s great work of love is to free us and his creation from the bondage of sin and to restore shalom.

 

Jesus is the only complete solution. He is at the heart of God’s work of love. Begin with your complete commitment to Him today!

 

Faith When You Don't See

 

[Jesus said] “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:31-40 ESV).

 

There are many of these “optical illusions” of Jesus that have been developed through the years. The one I’ve pictured here is a creation of Oakwood Hill Creations. I hope it was not too much of a puzzle for you to see the name of “Jesus,” though some folks look at it and can’t see anything but some blocks of wood glued to a larger block. They see nothing meaningful in this block of wood. Others look at it, and their faces brighten as they “get it.” The little pieces are arranged in such a way that they spell “JESUS.” But you can see the name only if you look at the block a certain way. It reminds me that Jesus can be with us even when we don’t see him.

 

There are many times when it is difficult to see Jesus. It is particularly important to rely on our faith during challenging periods rather than only in easy times. This is certainly what Jesus meant with the parable in our reading today. Often, we see people in need and deny them help for various reasons. Jesus is saying that giving help to the needy is not dependent on their worthiness, but our faith. Afte all, are any of us worthy?

 

I hope you are willing to look in such a way that you can see Jesus when someone asks for help. He is there!

 

Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 10

 

And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” (Mark 10:32-24 ESV).

 

Clingmans Dome (picture attached) is now known as Kuwohi. Kuwohi, is the Cherokee name for the mountain and translates to “mulberry place.” Kuwohi is a sacred place for the Cherokee people and is the highest point within the traditional Cherokee homeland. Kuwohi is visible from the Qualla Boundary. At 6,643 feet above sea level, Kuwohi is Great Smoky Mountains National Park's highest point. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the second highest point east of the Mississippi. Only North Carolina's Mt. Mitchell (6,684 feet) rises higher. The Dome is a popular Park destination. Located along the state-line ridge, it is half in North Carolina and half in Tennessee. The peak is accessible after driving Clingmans Dome Road from Newfound Gap, and then walking a steep half-mile trail. I have made that hike a few times when I was much younger. It is also a part of the Appalachian Trail as it crosses Kuwohi, marking the highest point along its 2,144 mile journey.

 

Perhaps the most memorable hike was when Kyle and David were very young. In fact, Aaron had not been born as yet. Kyle had an accident and fractured his ankle and thus had a cast. David was in a stroller. We hadn’t made it very far up the inclined trailway when it became apparent that Kyle needed to ride in the stroller and I needed to carry David. Pushing the stroller and carrying David made for a very challenging hike. I kept my eyes fixed ahead and trudged up the trail, arriving somewhat winded, but very pleased! I was reminded how similar that practice is in our life journey. There are those times when the path is steep and the burden is heavy. Keeping our eyes on the destination gives us strength to finish well.

 

Our reading today shows how this was true for Jesus as well. Though Jesus meandered through Galilee and Judea during his ministry, he had one final, unshakable destination in mind, and it was deadly. When he told his disciples he was going to Jerusalem, they were astonished. They knew only too well the ugly jealousy and hatred that the religious leaders had for Jesus. They feared for his life, not to mention their own. Though he had told them about this before, Jesus’ disciples hadn’t grasped the purpose of his mission. He was going to fulfill the Scriptures’ promise of a suffering servant, who would take the sins of fallen humanity on his shoulders (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). He went to Jerusalem to die on a cross there—in order to give us new life and eternal hope. Thank God that he didn’t quit! Keep your eyes on that destination, especially when the way is hard!

Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 9

 

Then Job answered and said: “Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be zin the right before God? If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times. He is wise in heart and mighty in strength— who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?— he who removes mountains, and they know it not, when he overturns them in his anger, who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars; who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea; who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; who does great things beyond searching out, and marvelous things beyond number. Behold, he passes by me, and I see him not; he moves on, but I do not perceive him. Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back? Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’” (Job 9:1-12 ESV).

 

With today’s attachment I have moved away from my beloved Smoky Mountains to Yellowstone National Park. Some years ago Mary and I, along with Mark and Susie Mincey, visited Yellowstone. In fact, we were able to stay in the area for a week taking our time to see as much of it as possible. One evening at sunset I looked to the west from the patio of the cabin where we were staying and was awestruck by the colors of the sky with the mountains in the foreground. The picture does not do it justice. There were many other sights that were inspiring. From the eruption of Old Faithful to the herds of Bison roaming across the valleys near the Lamar River, I was reminded of the creative genius and power of our God.

 

That thought brought me to a better understanding of how destructive is can be to forget who God is in favor of thinking we are somehow comparable. This is the pride that Proverbs warns “goes . . . before a fall.” In our reading today, Job finally comes to the same conclusion. Pride is a vision problem that we all struggle with. In our pride, we fail to see our true place in God’s scheme of things. The Bible condemns pride as the very cause of humanity’s rebellion and its deadly consequences. Forgetting that we are creatures, we reject God’s design for our lives. Thinking that we are superior, we nurture contempt for others.

 

Humility is the antidote to pride. True humility means clearly seeing our place in relation to God and the world he has made; it means treating God as God, and treating ourselves and others as his beloved creatures. That’s how God wants us to walk with him—treating everyone with due dignity and grace. Take that walk with me!