Is that the Best You Can Do? - Pt. 7

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 may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7 ESV).

 

Early in my ministry I had the responsibility of making some of the most difficult visits imaginable. One in particular stands out as I write this devotional. I received the call early in the morning from the mother of one of the boys on my oldest son’s baseball team that her husband had just been in an accident on the job. He had fallen from the second story of the construction site he was working on and died from the impact. Her request was tearful and quiet, “Please, Don, can you come over and tell my son?” My thoughts were jumbled along the drive to their home. Their son was just eight years old. What could I say? How should I break such news to such a tender heart?

 

I’m sure I could have done much better than I did, but after quietly explaining to the little boy what had happened, I just sat with them in silence as we all wept for a while. The little boy interrupted the solemn moment and asked, “Brother Don, does my daddy have wings now?” I told him I wasn’t sure and asked him why he wanted to know. He said, “If he has wings, he’ll never need to worry about falling off the roof again.” I told him wings or not, he’d never have to worry about that or anything again. I told him about the Gospel and soon after was privileged to baptize he and his mother.

 

Comfort… it comes in different ways. You may be familiar with the comedy of Jerry Clower. One of his routines comes to mind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4FUhUHOhwU). I hope you’ll spend a few minutes and watch it. The story of the coon hunting and the game warden “needing some relief” is illustrative of what I want to say as you face the trials and difficulties of your life.

 

You see, God knew “one of us needed some relief.” But instead of risking any harm to us, he put all the sins, guilt, and punishment on His only begotten Son, Jesus, who took our place. Knowing that can ease your pain. Trusting that will give you comfort to face anything.