Is There Life After Deep Grief?

This is the second Christmas without Mary Helen, my helpmate of 61 years. But something is profoundly different this year.

Over three years ago, Mary Helen began her downward health spiral. Caring for her in our home was a sad privilege that filled each day with purpose. Her home-going plunged me into deep grief out of which I never thought I would emerge. I’ve written about that period in my book, A Man’s Journey Through Grief—The Candid memoir of a Jesus-Follower’s Struggles to Rebuild His Life after His Wife’s Death.

Many days, when unbidden tears flowed, I felt as if my life was over. I lost my drive to press on in the Christian race. Oh, I tried. “But what’s the point,” I thought. I felt any ministry I might have in the Kingdom was over. It was time to put any gifts I had away in the closet. Although writing had been a main part of my life for fifty years, any motivation to write fizzled. Projects took up unwanted space on my laptop’s hard drive. My file drawers seemed cluttered with useless ideas.

I tried to whip up enthusiasm any way I could. That spring, I drove through the countryside seeking to savour again the awakening earth, the wild flowers, the budding trees. But the spark was gone. Life down here was over. Perhaps God would soon take me home to join Mary Helen and other friends in the presence of the One who had become our Saviour and Lord.

Of all people, a Christian should know that life is never over. God always has something in mind for us to do. Indeed, beyond this life in the new heaven and earth we will have much opportunity for service.

But persevering down here with a cheerful, positive, hopeful outlook felt impossible. My life was in chaos. It had to be reconstructed. One of the losses that accompanied Mary Helen’s homegoing was the apparent distance it created from couples and women who had been friends with us through the years. I was now a widower. It was as if I had a sign on my forehead, “Keep your distance.” I felt this deeply and asked the Lord if it was not possible for a man to be friends with women beyond the complication of romance. After all, women had contributed much to our lives through the years. But as far as romance was concerned, I knew I was a one-woman man and Mary Helen was that woman. Period!

Meanwhile, people had been encouraging me to share my journey on Facebook. My candor elicited considerable response from those who identified with my struggles. I had joined a huge cohort of lonely people. In one post to a site for those with Pakistan experience, I had admitted that going to church was one of the loneliest times of the week. Church had been a central part of Mary Helen’s and my life together. Now it had become a puzzle. Where would I sit? Who would I sit beside? Most people were sitting with their family or in a group. Would people feel sorry for me? How quickly could I slip out?

I was rather surprised when someone responded to my post by echoing my questions. She explained how she felt the same way. As a widow, herself, she often sat alone. In subsequent posts she described how she had dealt with the loneliness by starting a Koffee Klatsch Sisterhood for the widows in her large church in Ohio.

One post led to others in which I learned of her involvement in theological training, her visitation and mentoring ministry, and her service in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. Interesting, I thought. We have a lot in common. Soon we began to text in earnest. “I need to meet her,” I thought. “But no!” “Isn’t this just one lonely soul finding another? Is it just a typical a rebound?” I told myself, “I need to put this out of my mind.” “I love Mary Helen. I will always love her. Why am I even considering this?”

But the sense of my affinity with this woman increased. I seemed to be falling in love—again. How could that be? I asked a close friend to pray for me to be wise and discerning. Phyliss and I began to pray in earnest for clarity and guidance from God. God gave us the assurance that we should at least meet in person, which we did. Impossible as it seems, we were both smitten.

Soon the ether was vibrating with our conversation. Here was someone with similar experiences that I could talk to. We met twice more and carried on daily conversation. And after engaging in rigorous prayer ourselves, considering the challenges of a US and Canadian relationship and our age difference, and testing our love in various ways, we concluded that our love was from God. Some in our family were cautiously supportive, others were rightly skeptical of this whirlwind romance. Admittedly, if I had been asked to advise two other seniors under similar circumstances, I would probably have been skeptical too.

But we had become sure that our love was a gracious gift of God given to renew and refresh us at a challenging time in our lives. We set a date and made preparations for a wedding.

In Ohio, Phyliss began preparing to leave her son and grandchildren behind along with her house, her church, all her mentees, the Koffee Klatch Sisterhood, and many dear friends. Her son, Bill helped her choose what to leave and what to take. Not easy. I’m sure she felt keenly the distance she would be embracing as she came to a new country, a new church, and a new husband.

In Port Hope, I began sorting through drawers and closets, getting rid of junk, clearing space for a new life with Phyliss. My daughter Debbie helped me sort through tea cups and other mementoes of her mother to share with the grandkids. They have very happy memories of Mary Helen. As do I. Sixty-one years.

We were married on September second. Even before this date, our decision was tested. Phyliss contracted Covid weeks beforehand. Then as the date approached, a tornado tore through her neighbourhood uprooting trees, tearing off branches and downing wires. The church where the ceremony was to take place lost two of its large trees, one of which shut down the main road and made access to the church inaccessible—until the day of the wedding.

Our honeymoon did not begin auspiciously either. Phyliss got laryngitis and when we returned, I got Covid which had begun to spread among a few at my church. And so began our adjustments to each other.

A new love. A love that parachuted into our lives unbidden. A providential surprise. In an earlier book entitled, The Surprises of Grace, I had described a whole list of surprising re-directions that God had brought into my life. From agnosticism to faith in Christ. From forestry to missions. From Toronto to South Carolina. From Bangladesh to Pakistan. From evangelism to ministry training. From missions to pastoral ministry. From preaching to writing. And on and on God led. Why should I be surprised at the unexpected turn my life took? But I was surprised. God has been so good, so gracious, so loving in giving me 61 years with Mary Helen. Why would he care about my life at this advanced age? But he does.

He saw that Phyliss and I needed each other. He had more work for her to do. He had more writing for me to do—and more ministry. Already he has given me two new opportunities. Obviously, he has more for both Phyliss and I to do together.

Does this mean that every shred to grief over Mary Helen’s homegoing has been washed away. Far from it. Sometimes I am torn into pieces by memories that swirl around me. I remember the day when my daughter Debbie left with her arms loaded with memorabilia to share with the grandkids. I could do nothing but collapse and weep. And occasionally, unbidden grief still sweeps over me. Not even a wonderful new love can erase 61 years of memories. The tendrils of Mary Helen’s love are still rooted in the deep places of my heart.

Does that mean that those memories will crowd out Phyliss’s love? No. Does it mean I should have steeled my heart against any new love and cherished my first love until I was called home myself. No. Does it mean I should have waited longer to re-marry. No. God’s interventions in our lives are not to be rejected. Both Phyliss and I have embraced a new adventure. The soul-deep love we have for each other has found a home in this condo in Port Hope.

Who can understand the mystery of love? In both our lives, this unexpected love has energized us to embrace God’s service with a renewed enthusiasm and energy. God is good all the time. He has surprises of grace around almost every corner!

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

How the Fear of God Delivers us from Other Fears

The other day, I was meditating on the abundance of verses on our need to live and walk in the fear of God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;” “Store up my commands within you…then you will understand the fear of the Lord.” “Trust in the LORD with all your heart…fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body.” (Prov. 1:7a, 2:1,4;3:5,7,8) And many more.

We’ve been discussing the fear of the Lord in one of our Bible studies. Any cursory study on what God is like leaves us astonished at his glory, the glory of the infinite, eternal, omnipotent, omnipresent God. King of the universe who rules over all. The Most High. The thrice holy. Aligning our lives with Him so we walk in loving and humble obedience to his will is the only way for a Christian to walk. Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:12; “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Submit to Christ as Lord.

But that day, I had occasion to apply this sense of the overwhelming sovereignty and power of God in a practical way. Phyliss and I were in the US on our way back to Canada. She has applied for a Canadian visa, but the process was incomplete. The car was stuffed full. Everyone tells horror stories of border agents. What should we expect?

You know the tightness you get in your stomach when a police car with sirens blaring approaches you at high speed. “What did I do? Did I go through a red light? Was I speeding?” And then it races by after some felon in the next town. Well normally, I get that feeling when we approach a border crossing. Did the agent at the booth get up on the right side of the bed today? Or?

But I had been thinking how foolish our fears were in the light of awe for and trust in God. Doesn’t he watch over us? Isn’t he sovereign of the universe—certainly officials of all kinds. Can’t I trust him? Am I more affected by dread of officials? A whole panoply of fears skate over the surface of our minds; fear of sickness,  hospitals, accidents, speaking. How puny these fears are in the light of our Father’s care. And any fear we have of him is laced with awe and love and compassion. As a Christian I should not be so impressed by things around me but live with a powerful sense of God over all.

My normal dread eased considerably. And even though the agent sent us into the customs and immigration building, we found the officers considerate and friendly. Too often our fears are misplaced.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

How is Joy Related to Contentment? – Meditations on Christian Joy, Part 5

We just watched a movie about the indominable spirit of Diana Nyad, a swimmer in her 60’s who after 5 tries was still determined to do the impossible, swim 110 miles from Cuba to Florida. With the help of a supportive team, she finally conquered the ocean with its sharks and jellyfish. Part of the take-away from the film was a celebration of the unconquerable human spirit, that we are never too old to follow our dream, and that we should never give up. While perseverance is a worthy quality at any age, we wondered about the restlessness and unhappiness so evident in Diana Nyad.

We should have high goals and dreams. Being content with mediocrity, rootlessness, or insignificant goals is not nobility. The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about the evils of laziness. God has gifted all of us with skills that can be used to improve our own and our community’s condition. The innate creativity God gave us has enabled civilization to progress through better medicine, agriculture, manufacturing, and even housing. All of this is good.

And yet, the Bible has a lot to say about being contented with our lot. Without contentment we can never know the joy of the Lord.

But how is contentment possible while we live in a world bent on urging us to buy a better car, build a bigger house, seek a higher paying job, go on a more exotic trip, eat at better restaurants, improve our appearance with implants, get a higher golf score? We are continually bombarded with promises of winning this or that lottery. Continual discontent with our circumstances breeds unhappiness.

Clearly, the goals that captivate our hearts, affect everything in our lives. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Prov. 4:23). But what are those aspirations that should well up from within our hearts?

Paul’s advice to Timothy is clear. We should strive for godliness. “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:6-10).

When our soul’s happiness is disrupted by an unfulfilled craving for money, status, property, or power we cannot know the joy of the Lord. Instead of these unworthy goals God urges us to strive for holiness. Holiness is manifest in various ways as the fruit of the Spirit, Christ-likeness, the beatitudes, a deep reverence and love for God, or a generosity and love for our neighbours. These are the goals of the Christian. As the Spirit reproduces them in us, we find deep contentment and joy. We learn to rest in our heavenly Father’s care. “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).

Jesus pointed his disciples to the lilies of the field and the birds of the air while teaching them to trust God for their needs. But since the joyful life is connected to contentment, what about enduring troubles and privation, what about suffering? Habakuk boldly wrote:

Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
GOD, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places. (Hab 3:17-19)

Imagine a condition of great privation when all the crops fail. Yet in such a condition Habakkuk had learned to rejoice in the Lord. Such rejoicing is internal, within the heart where we treasure love and faith for the Lord.

This is not to say that we will not at times feel gloomy, even cry out in pain and discouragement. Contentment comes by heeding biblical examples and yielding to the training of the Spirit–and much prayer. Paul suffered from some “thorn in the flesh” which he asked the Lord to take away. In answer “He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:9,10).

Clearly, Christian joy is an attitude that flows from a heart satisfied with God’s grace. The more we celebrate God’s grace in Christ, the happier we will be. A heart captivated by a holy love for God while being content with external circumstances becomes fertile ground for the flower of joy to bloom. In other words, joy is a byproduct of spiritually worthy pursuits.

Lord help us to realign our priorities; holiness and contentment.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

What is Heaven Like?

I remember hitch-hiking in my late teens and early twenties. I’d stick out my thumb and hope for a car to pick me up. When a car stopped the driver would ask, “Where yuh headed?” And I’d give them a destination. They’d usually reply, “Hop in. I’m going that way.”

Life is a journey. We’re all headed somewhere. To those who believed in him, Jesus said they were going to his Father’s house where he will “prepare a place” for them. (See John 14:1-4.) At death believers go to heaven which is described in many ways, but in this passage as the Father’s house. It is a place of welcome, a place of happy hospitality, a place fitted especially for each believer’s enjoyment. Death is not the believer’s destination, but rather a doorway into the glories of heaven.

The spiritual journey leading to heaven is a transforming process with various stages as described in Romans eight. There we read that “those God foreknew (loved before they were born), he also predestined…and those he predestined, he also called (through the gospel), those he called he also justified (declared forgiven and righteous); those he justified, he also glorified” (Romans 8:28,29).

To be glorified implies a radical transformation. Second Corinthians 4:16-18 explains that this world is a place of pain and sorrow and troubles. In this life, believers struggle with their old nature to overcome its bent towards sin. They face physical and emotional challenges. But as they daily trust in Christ to renew and strengthen their resolve to become godly, obedient disciples, their walk of faith achieves for them “an eternal weight of glory.” This “hope of glory” basically involves transition through death into a state free from pain, sorrow, and sin. But it involves much more.

Three of his disciples saw Jesus shining with glory on the mount of transfiguration. This was a tiny foretaste of heaven. In John 17, Jesus prayed, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me” (John 17:24). For the believer, entering heaven will be as if the light suddenly goes on in a dark room. Or as if the sun bursts forth through dark, threatening clouds. Suddenly everything becomes bright and glorious. Believers are transformed, glorified, through seeing Christ in all his blazing glory. Believers will reflect the glory of Christ. They will see him as he is.

No wonder Chas Gabriel wrote,

When all my labors and trials are o’er,
And I am safe on that beautiful shore,
Just to be near the dear Lord I adore
Will through the ages be glory for me.

Refrain:
O that will be glory for me,
Glory for me, glory for me;
When by His grace I shall look at His face,
That will be glory, be glory for me.

Describing heaven using human language is challenging. Students of the Scripture describe believers entrance into heaven as glorification. Glory in the original languages denotes weight or worth. Coal is common and dirty but under great pressure it can produce diamonds. God takes us, if we are believers in Christ, and translates us at death from a state of negative worth into persons of glory, of light, of value. We become precious and beautiful through having become Christ-like. We shine forth—like the moon—not reflecting the sun but the glory of Christ. “It is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” This process begins in this life. We “are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the “Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18).

In this life we see God as through a broken tarnished mirror. But when we are glorified, we will have an explosion of insight and appreciation as the mysteries of God’s glory are unveiled before our astonished eyes. Worship and praise will keep bubbling up from deep within us.

Glorification implies enlightenment as our ignorance dissolves in a wave of understanding. We ask, “Why suffering? Why did this child or that young person die so early? Why does it take so long for an aged saint to pass? Why war? Why such cruelty?” Why, why, why? “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Cor 13:12). Waves of understanding will wash away our perplexity.

Glorification also introduces us to a state of excited anticipation where we will ask ourselves, “what wonder will God unveil next?” Oh, during our Christian walk God has given us hints about the glories of heaven but; “no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit” (1 Cor. 2:9,10). The reality behind the images, the types, the hints will be unveiled before our wondering eyes. Heaven is not going to be boring!

However, going to heaven does not complete the process of our transformation. As the Gospel Coalition explains, “Entering into God’s glory is a two-stage process. We must first overcome the damage caused by sin and then be transformed from the material to the resurrection world…The intermediate state; heaven; the eternal state; the new heavens and earth.”

Glorification will only be complete when Christ returns to earth in power and glory. At that time we will receive our resurrection bodies. “We will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality” (See 1 Cor. 15:50-54).

Until that time, we—like the martyrs under the throne—will ask the Lord, “How long?” We will have an awareness of the unfolding of God’s eternal purpose and a longing to see that purpose fulfilled in the new heavens and the new earth.

What a wonderful future awaits every child of God. Like a child anticipates a birthday party, like a bride anticipates her marriage, we look forward to heaven, the first stage in our glorification.

Are you bound for heaven? If you truly believe the Gospel; that Jesus died for your sins, was buried and rose from the dead, then you are heaven-bound. If not, hell is your destination. Please embrace the Gospel and be saved!

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

Meditations on How Thanksgiving leads to Joy, Part 4

This past weekend, families in Canada gathered for thanksgiving. Our family tradition has been to go around our thanksgiving table from person to person and each share something for which they are thankful before we eat.

Someone has written “He who forgets the language of thanksgiving will never be on speaking terms with happiness.” John Henry Jowet comments, “Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic.” Did he mean a vaccine against despair, an antitoxin to counter discouragement, an antiseptic to banish gloom? If so, thanksgiving paves the way for happiness. In a Christian, who acknowledges that every good gift comes from above, thanksgiving is the first cousin to joy.

So many of the Christian virtues are connected. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 we read; “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Rejoicing is connected to praying and giving thanks. Anxiety dissipates as we give thanks and joy takes over. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:4-7). Joy can’t exist in hearts filled with turmoil.

Joy bubbles up from deep within one’s “inmost being,” where thanksgiving rules. As we rehearse all God’s benefits, joyful praise ascends. “Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Ps. 103:1-5).

Paul reminds us to be “overflowing with thanksgiving” (Col. 2:7). Isaiah urges us to joyfully “draw water from the wells of salvation…give thanks to the LORD…shout aloud and sing for joy” (Isaiah 12:3-5).

My wife, Phyliss, likes to close each day by asking “what are three things you are thankful for today?” Sometimes that stumps my melancholy personality. Some days seem gloomy, difficult, a burden but switching gears to focus on the good things God did, lifts the gloom and the Son appears from behind the clouds. 

No wonder Henry Van Dyke wrote:

Joyful, joyful, we adore You,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before You,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!

Who is our Best Friend, Our True Brother, Our Perfect Spouse?

We love politicians who have, what is called, “the common touch.” They seem to be like us instead of pretending to be above us to lord it over us. We feel the same about famous athletes who love their fans, who go into the stands to sign autographs. And wealthy men who don’t parade their wealth but love to act like “one of the guys.” We love those royals in England who mingle with the crowds, who stop to ask about children and inquire about wounded soldiers.

There is one who has demonstrated the “common touch” to an infinite degree. Jesus left heaven’s glory; “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness…became obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:6-8)!

Jesus came as a man, a man who loved children. When people were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them,” the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus “was indignant. He said to them. ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them’…And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them” (Mark 10:13-16).

Although Lord of all, Jesus Christ delights to call us his friends. In John 15:14, friendship with Jesus is conditional. “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” But in the next verse he goes further. “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” He shares with us the deep matters of his redemptive plan because we are his friends.

But he goes further. Jesus identifies so closely with us that he deigns to call us members of his family; his mother, sisters and brothers. When someone came to tell him that his earthly mother and brothers had arrived to see him, he looked around at his disciples and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:34). He calls all who are made holy through his sacrifice, part of the heavenly family, “the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. I will declare your name to my brothers” (Hebrews 2:11,12). He is the “firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29).

Wait, there is a further intimacy that he shares with us. Paul explains, “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:2). This marriage imagery is consistent with Old Testament teaching. “For your Maker is your husband— the LORD Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth” (Isaiah 54:5-15). It is used in Ephesian six to illustrate a godly marriage, “a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” We who receive Christ as Saviour, become his bride. (See Eph. 6:22-32). Beyond the most intimate of human relationships, mystery of mysteries, deep into our heart of hearts, Christ espouses himself to us as his bride! He is the eternal lover of our souls.

Jesus is the Son of God who loved us so much that he came down to mingle among us, to take children in his arms, to call us friends, to welcome us as sisters and brothers, to prepare a wedding banquet for us, his bride, the church. No, you and I are not alone. We are not orphans. We are encircled in his arms. Feel his love today! Essential Beliefs, #44

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

The Further We Drift from the Christian Faith, the Needier We Become – Essential Belief, #43

Our culture indoctrinates us to say, we are independent, self-reliant men and women. And if by chance we do have needs there is always a doctor or psychiatrist or philosopher or beer-buddy to point us to help—or simply commiserate.

The foundations of western civilization tell us different. They go back, back, back to the Man of Galilee, Jesus of Nazareth who came because we were needy, because the best that human wisdom affords was an abysmal attempt to satisfy our needs. I’m not talking about warmth, shelter, and food which many civilizations have done a commendable, though flawed, job in providing.

John Stott (at 88) writing about the neediest among us comments; “I sometimes hear old people, including Christian people who should know better say, ‘I don’t want to be a burden to anyone else. I’m happy to carry on living so long as I can look after myself, but as soon as I become a burden I would rather die.’ But this is wrong. We are all designed to be a burden to others. You are designed to be a burden to me, and I am designed to be a burden to you. And the life of the family, including the life of the local church family, should be one of ‘mutual burdensomeness.’ ‘Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ’ (Galatians 6:2)” — John Stott, The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling

As Stott points out there is something in us that resists admitting our neediness. Not only is the Christian faith designed by God to help us bear one another’s burdens, at it’s root it is a cry to enter God’s presence through the wicket gate of confession and repentance for our sins—admitting our ultimate neediness. Pride keeps us from admitting our sinfulness, which is the most fundamental of our needs. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). It may not only keep us from seeking practical help, but it may keep us from embracing God’s need-meeting Saviour. Who? Jesus Christ, the Lord, who has been eternally appointed by God to be mankind’s prophet, priest, and king, fulfilling three offices that address humanity’s fundamental needs.

Jesus is the prophet we need because we are ignorant of eternal truth and the operation of God in the beginning and continuing operation of our universe. We need a divine teacher, Jesus, to dispel our ignorance. We operate as self-centered beings inventing amazing machines but blasé about ultimate questions. Indeed, we are—dare I say it—wilfully stupid. We have no idea about what is beyond the grave. We march blithely toward our hellish destiny with seldom a care. Then Jesus, the Prophet, calls us to stop, listen, and believe the gospel. “The Word [God’s communication] became flesh and made his dwelling among us…No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, [Jesus, the Son of God] who is at the Father’s side, has made him known” (John 1:14,18). “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Listen and believe.

Jesus is the priest, the mediator between Heaven and earth. He shed his blood to secure our salvation. Only he can reconcile us to God through pleading his crossly sacrifice before the Father in order to blot out our guilt. Only he can render us acceptable to God. As our priest he continues to intercede for us. “Christ came as high priest…He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption” (Heb. 9:11, 12). “Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Heb. 7:24,25).

Jesus Christ is King, the only one powerful and insightful enough to rescue us from our spiritual adversaries including that arch enemy, the devil. Do we realize that, “your enemy, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8)? As the 1689 confession states, “We need his kingly office to convince, subdue, draw, sustain, deliver and preserve us, until we finally enter his heavenly kingdom. He came proclaiming the kingdom of God. The New Testament ends declaring, “He is Lord of Lord and King of Kings” (Rev. 17:14).

As prophet he teaches us about our spiritual need of rescue. As priest he rescues us through his blood and continues to intercede for our transformation. As King he guides, sustains, and protects until he calls us home to enjoy the blessings of His kingdom.

MEDITATIONS ON CHRISTIAN JOY – Part Three

Living a joyful life is our heritage as Christians. We read, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). “Joyfully draw water from the well of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3). Jesus explained to his disciples that his teaching should lead to joy. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11; see also John 17:13).

But what is this joy? Roget’s Thesaurus lists as synonyms for joy: happiness, delight, euphoria, high spirits, gladness, bliss, glee, elation, cheer, jubilance, rapture, transport with antonyms as; misery, depression, desolation, and despair.

High spirits? Glee? Euphoria? In some Christian circles, we are expected to demonstrate a joyful countenance to show that we are rejoicing in the Lord. I think joy is far deeper. It is rooted in an awareness of the panoply of redemptive graces that God pours into our lives through Christ. It can, and probably should, lead to a feeling of bliss, of gladness, of elation, of rapture, or of euphoria.

However, since we are to grow in grace, the full expression of our joy may develop over time. And with our different personalities and upbringings, we may express ourselves differently. Surely, we should aim to daily draw up copious amounts of joy from the inexhaustible well of salvation. That is our heritage. But we should not force a certain kind of joyful expression on others. We cannot whip it up. Manipulation is a very hurtful tactic. Let’s draw attention to the well and pray for one another that we may know more and more “the joy of the Lord” without signally that membership in our group requires a certain outward expression.

In this series, as the Lord leads, I want to consider joy as it relates to a full-orbed understanding of salvation and being assured we are saved, joy as it relates to being part of a Christian community, joy and suffering, joy and faith in God’s sovereignty, joy and faith in God’s character, joy and contentment, joy and meaningful service, and joy and love among other subjects.

But before I leave this post, there is one aspect that we tend to neglect because we are warned that “the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteous, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Christian joy is far more enthralling than the tastiest steak or the most exquisite wine.

But a misreading of the balance of Scripture has led many in church history to over-emphasize asceticism and self-denial of anything that might be enjoyable. As if refusing to enjoy the gifts of the Creator somehow makes one more holy or more devoted. Yes, there is a time for prayer and fasting. But there is also a time for feasting as we see in the instituted feasts of Israel.

Our pastor, in his series on Ecclesiastes pointed out in chapter nine a recurring theme. Since life is unpredictable and will end in death, we should enjoy what God provides in the days we are given. “Go eat your food with gladness, and drink you wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. …anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun…whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” (Ecclesiastes 9:7-10). [For an understanding of “meaningless” in the book, I’d suggest you go to a good commentary.] God did not create a world of luscious fruits, meaningful work, and marriage for these gifts to be spurned! He expects his children to enjoy his gifts, while knowing that salvation is the greatest gift of all. Yes, there is a measure of joy in these other gifts also.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

Finding Christian Joy Through Dealing With Guilt

Having the joy of the Lord depends upon clearing out the debris that defiles an organ we seldom consider.

Our physical health—other factors being equal—depends on a balance of nutritious food, exercise, and a healthy mental attitude. Doctors monitor our hearts, lungs, and other organs to maintain health. For deficiencies they prescribe medicines or perform operations. But there is an organ in the body that they don’t treat—indeed many have no idea it exists. And yet it is an organ that powerfully affects our mental attitudes. The conscience.

Paul explains that even those who have no conscious commitment to God’s law, “do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their conscience also now accusing, now even defending them” (Romans 2:14,15).

This organ innately knows that gossip, lying, stealing, murder, and adultery, for example, are wrong. And when we act and think contrary to what is good and true, our conscience plagues us. Joy disappears. If we would know joy, we must get rid of those guilty feelings that trouble our psyche.

Once we are aware of this problem, we can try to stop the nagging of conscience in several ways. Many religions teach us that if we do good, or bring offerings to our god, or keep the month of fast and say our prayers, the voice of the conscience will be stilled. Converted Muslims know this doesn’t work as do converted Hindus. Even a professing Christian like Martin Luther found out that going up a series of stairs on his knees while reciting the rosary didn’t work. Hebrews explains that worship that involves, “gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshipper” (Hebrews 9:9). No religious ritual can still the conscience’s cry, “guilty, guilty!”

Others seek to smother the voice of the conscience by doing evil until the guilty whispers are silenced. Paul talks of this often. “To those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, their minds and consciences are corrupted [even though they claim to know God]. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good” (Titus 1:15). He writes of some teachers having “consciences as seared with a hot iron” (1 Tim. 4:2). In another place, Paul talks about consciences being defiled through a repetitious commitment to idolatry or religious rituals. (1 Cor., 8:7) Still others have shipwrecked their conscience through rejecting the offer of the gospel. (1 Tim. 1:19)

What then can we do to clear the conscience and open the door to a life of joy? One thing only. Confession of our sins and faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ. “The blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God [will] cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death so that we may serve the living God!” (Heb. 9:14).

The whole purpose of Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter—the incarnation of Christ—is to cleanse our consciences so we can live joyful lives of service to our living God! The blood of Christ alone atones for guilt. Jesus came and died for you and me that we might flourish, joyfully! He alone can silence the conscience.

If we would know joy, we need to continually celebrate what Christ has done. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1,2). (See also Rom 8:1,2)

Through faith in the blood of Christ, we are justified, forgiven, and headed for heaven! Joy doesn’t come from what we have done but only from what Christ has done. Don’t look anywhere else. Celebrate Him and know joy. No wonder John Newton, buried under guilt as a slave trader wrote, Amazing Grace.

But what about when we stumble and sin again? We will sin again; we still have a fallen nature in us. When we sin, our conscience becomes defiled again. Paul writes, “I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man” (Acts. 24:16). How do we keep it clear? “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). As soon as we are aware of our sin, we should immediately confess it to God. And marvel of marvels, he gives us immediate and complete forgiveness based on the blood he shed for us! Our joy is restored. A joyful life is a forgiven life. A joyful life is a life that celebrates grace, amazing grace. A joyful life is a growing life.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

Meditations on Christian Joy, Part One

I remember a preacher once saying that we all looked like we had swallowed a pickle. Instead of joy on our faces, we evidently looked glum. Clearly, God wants redeemed sinners to know joy, but can we just change the expression of our faces and have joy? Hardly.

A cursory read through the Psalms, for example, reveals that genuine God-fearers may occasionally look like they have swallowed a pickle. Many of the Psalms are laments. David, and others, frequently express “disquiet of soul,” a downcast countenance, sorrow and grief. In Ecclesiastes we are reminded that; “there is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance” (Eccl. 3:4). Christian joy is not a denial of reality. It is not a grit your teeth and bear it attitude that we force ourselves to adopt to paper over pain, grief, or tragedy.

Happiness, on the other hand, normally depends on circumstances. Healthy…then happy. In a harmonious marriage…happy. Money in the bank…happy. Sunshine…happy. Normally, we don’t expect people who don’t have enough money to pay their bills to be happy. Or those in abusive relationships. We don’t expect people struggling through sleet on their way to work to be happy while cold drizzle runs down their back. In fact, if they pretend to be happy, we think them strange. Generally, pleasant circumstances make us happy.

Fifteen months ago, God called my wife of 61 years home to heaven. Fortunately, most of my family and peers didn’t expect me to get over my grief quickly. Yet some Christian writers who have gone through grief write as if “the joy of the Lord” will quickly triumph over tears. So, this subject is very personal to me.

I am not alone in dealing with grief. All around us there are a multitude of those who have been abandoned, abused, widowed, or struggle with cancer, the loss of a child, or a mental illness of some kind. What do we expect God to do for them? Should we expect them in a reasonable length of time to break into joyful song? Paul and Silas did while in prison. Clearly, we need to look deeper.

After the exiles returned from Babylon and rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem, Ezra read “from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.” When they saw how far short of God’s moral standards they had acted, they began mourning and weeping. However, Nehemiah and the leaders urged them; “This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). They found joy in God’s covenant love which had led to their return from captivity and the restoration of their city and land.

The prelude to joy is an acknowledgement of our sinfulness and need of forgiveness. We cannot expect joy to pervade our beings if we are self-righteous and judgmental of others, if we harbour unconfessed sin or lust, if we pilfer from our boss or spread gossip. Joy comes when there is nothing but a sense of God’s forgiving love between us and our Saviour. Joy comes from a source outside of ourselves.

Isaiah writes that we will joyfully draw water from the wells of salvation. (12:3) Wells of salvation? We can’t obtain water unless we have a source, in this case, a well. To get a well we first have to dig it. In the case of Christian joy, we’re fortunate that God steps in and metaphorically digs a well in our hearts that bubbles up with joy. How does he do that? By calling us to faith in Christ. We become born again. He takes away our stony hearts and gives us new hearts, tender, and sensitive to his love.

Clearly then, the prerequisite to know joy is to be saved through faith in Jesus Christ who bore our sins upon the cross. In a biblical sense if we do not have salvation, we have no well from which to draw up draughts of joy. But being saved means we have an inexhaustible source of joy through meditation on our forgiveness, adoption, reconciliation, justification, and many other facets of redemption.

Of those who know his salvation, God declares that he has made known to them, “the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand (Psalm 16:11). That might indicate that this joy is not fully known until we go to heaven. But no, joy is offered along “the path of life” as we walk with a sense of God’s presence. Having that sense is crucial.

Do we know God is near? Do we believe that “underneath are the everlasting arms?” With David do we realize that God is beside us, ahead of us, behind us, beneath us? (See Psalm 139.)

Jesus makes it clear that the impact of his message on his disciples is “that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). His joy. Gospel joy. Christian joy. This joy cannot be experienced outside of his message. Ignorance of his teaching muddies the well and rusts out the bucket. Are we daily drawing water from the descriptive well of Scripture?

There is much more to consider about this delightful subject.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)