April 10, 2016
Part IV: Witnessing Someone Drowning In A Season Of Darkness
🔊Play Audio | Seasons of darkness in which your joy has been assaulted, is a difficult reality of life. And despite our best efforts to avoid suffering; there is no measure of circumvention that will keep the antagonist of darkness from eventually reaching your doorstep. Part I and Part 2 of this series helped us evaluate ways to “think rightly,” about our relationship to suffering. Part 3 served as the pinnacle of the inward-focused portion of the blog series as we explored the transition out of suffering and all its implications.
You and I Are Uniquely Positioned With a Telescopic View of Others Darkness…We Are Witnesses.
Yet not all of us currently wade within the water of present suffering. For some of us; we are especially positioned to witness someone else’s suffering from various distances. Perhaps you stand at the edge of a river, noticing your friend clawing to keep their head above water. Or maybe you’re far away on a bridge; watching from afar as Jane Doe gasps for air as the ocean’s current threatens to sweep her under….But you’re watching. In other words; irrespective of the proximity of your position to someone’s suffering; you and I are uniquely positioned with a telescopic view of others darkness… we are witnesses.
Make No Mistake, You and I Are Part Of This Epidemic.
And let us confront the uncomfortable truth about our pleasure saturated societies’ nonchalant disposition towards their neighbors darkness. Make no mistake, you and I are part of this epidemic. It has become quite ordinary to complacently dig our heels into the soil as we comfortably watch others drown. We become experts at creating a culture of normalcy; as if ignoring a persons cry for help should be common practice.
Yet We Are Utterly Oblivious To This Pain
You see, only in America can a news anchor share a story about a teenage boy violently murdering a dozen fellow students … and then, exactly on cue, that same anchor laughs uncontrollably as he shares a breaking story involving two amusing kittens on YouTube that went viral. And we’re all laughing with him. Can’t you see… Can’t you see that something has gone terribly wrong in our hearts? With no more than three seconds between storylines, there’s no time to mourn or process the reality of the darkness awaiting each of these grieving families. Instead we belly laugh about the kittens. Do we realize that twelve sets of parents will never see their son or daughter laugh… or play…graduate high school…marry…or have children? Instead of structuring their finances towards their child’s college fund, they now are purchasing a casket. Have you taken time to imagine the horror of the father who yelled at his son Matthew that morning; communicating his disappointment in him. Losing his temper, he slams his car door while Matthew was still attempting to explain and drives off. His son goes in the other direction waiting for his school bus to take him to his death as the shooter fires three rounds at his chest. That father would sell his most valuable possession just for the opportunity to take that moment back. He’s not even afforded the opportunity to tell his son how much he loves him… Because he’s gone. Immense darkness awaits the many weeks to follow as Matthew’s father struggles with regret. Yet we are utterly oblivious to this pain; after all, it’s more comfortable to chuckle as the news anchor shows kittens tripping over themselves on YouTube.
We Must Step Outside Our Forcefield
And let’s face it… We love it this way. We subconsciously have been trained to go to extreme levels to suppress the reality of darkness of the soul that plagues so many all around us. Uncomfortability is too hard. Isn’t that why we project artificial signals of how well things are? What are we to gain by living such a duplicitous lifestyle? Not much more than cheap happiness that won’t last. Just imagine a thunderous tornado wrecking havoc all around… a man named Bobby is with his kids being protected by magical force field…yet there is a raging tornado headed to destroy his neighbors children who are playing in the yard across the street… They are dangerously exposed…How ludicrous would it be if he instead pretended like it was a sunny day outside? Ignoring reality; Bobby selfishly proceeds to lay his blanket on the ground for a picnic with his own kids? This is insane right? How could one be so inwardly focused on their own pleasure, that they would ignore the raging storm headed to utterly decapitate their neighbors children? A sound-minded individual would quickly acknowledge the storm as a threat to the children’s life; heroically moving towards assuring their neighbors children’s safety. And wouldn’t we stand appalled at Bobby for ridiculously continuing with his picnic? Not only is he selfishly neglecting to intercede on behalf of his neighbors’ children; but he is modeling irrational… insensitive behavior that his own children are subconsciously processing as normalcy. And if …. “If”they make it through the storm; Bobby’s children are likely to replicate their father’s compassionless tendencies; opting to choose to stay within their magical forcefield; instead of acknowledging the needs directly in front them. Can’t you see? This type of self-preservation must terminate. We must step outside our forcefield.
Bible Believing Christians Must Overcome the Tendency To Be “Ignorers” Of Others’ Storms and Seasons Of Darkness
How are we to press back against our pleasure-saturated societies’ insensitive disposition towards others seasons of darkness? Do we want to be willing bystanders of this ghastly epidemic? How can our culture recover it’s ability to empathize with the suffering of others? Where do we find a solid starting point? After all, if people share the instinctive bent toward self-preservation and deniability; how might we find sufficient legs to begin this march towards internal change, that ultimately permeates through us; resulting in loving external sacrifices? Does there exist such a person… or organization…or source of wisdom to guide us rightly? I believe so. In fact, God desires His church to serve as torchbearers as his answer to this issue. It’s imperative for the church to awaken from their slumber. Bible Believing Christians must overcome the tendency to be “ignorers'” of others’ storms and seasons of darkness… Though we do not possess magical forcefields; we do have access to a type of spiritual forcefield that truly protects us from being overtaken by the raging waters and tornadoes that life can bring. We have been called as lifeguards to step outside our comfort as we step inside others pain. (consider John 17) You see, when Christians recover their purposefulness in others suffering; we forgo our tendency to be a witnesses and become empathetic partakers for those who are drowning. Our ability to actually feel and reside within someone’s unique misery uniquely positions our hearts to intercede on their behalf. Guiding the brokenhearted with sacrificial love and biblical truth; the Holy Spirit uses us as courageous lifeguards who run towards the raging sea; pulling them out of the undercurrent of despair and loneliness.
Neither Sacrificial Love Nor Biblical Truth Should Usurp Each Others Significance. Dethroning One For the Other is Like Separating A Steering Wheel From the Vehicle.
Sacrificial love is the radical offering of oneself with the unadulterated aim at alleviating the suffering of others. This type of Christ-centered love requires us to throw ourselves into the muck n’ mire. It’s a type of commitment to others regardless of the personal cost we may experience. In other words, it’s what moves Bible believing Christians to leave there magical force fields of comfort for the sake of the tornado-stricken oppressed. Jesus Christ himself lived His life as a example of this proclamation; literally giving His life for the redemption of humanity. In fact, The Bible speaks particularly plainly about this love that has the power to save. (Consider John 15:13 ) More could be detailed on this subject; and perhaps at a later date a specific blog post can give it the attention it deserves.
Biblical truth is the other resource required when stepping into others darkness…and who better to explain its meaning than Jesus. The night before his life was taken; Jesus earnestly prayed to His Father on behalf of not only his current disciples; but future disciples such as you and I. You know what’s absolutely stunning about this? With so many things to pray for; he petitioned for the Lord to distinguish his true disciples apart by granting them revelation to biblical truth which comes from the word of God. Good night! (consider again John 17). In other words, Jesus declared that what would separate his disciples from others was the examination and belief in the pages of God’s Word. Because the word of God contains ultimate truth and reigns supreme as the primary image bearer of who both God and Jesus are; we must lean upon its direction to position our hearts to know the heart of God. Having a robust understanding of God’s word gives us perspective on His heart towards the suffering, widows, orphans, and the desolate.
Yet as important as biblical truth is; it does not stand above sacrificial love. Neither sacrificial love nor biblical truth should usurp each others significance. Dethroning one for the other is like separating a steering wheel from the vehicle. In other words, sacrificial love is like a vehicle. It’s the very essence and foundation of what we sit in to travel towards our destination. The powerful frame of the car protection us from impact, climate changes, and other environmental nuances. Like wise, sacrificial love is the wrapping around our hearts that protects us; ensuring we feel safe. Yet the vehicle will make no traveling gains without the attachment of the steering wheel being used by the driver. Similarly; biblical truth is our steering wheel that guides us towards our purposes and helps navigate the terrain of the unexpected that undoubtedly comes for us all. And we as the driver must properly handle the wheel to properly guide others to the correct destination. Can’t you see? A vehicle without a steering wheel may feel comfortable; but it can never accomplish its intended purpose. The vehicle will remain idle and never move. On the other hand, the steering wheel that has no attachment to a vehicle is equally pointless. No matter how many times you twist and turn the wheel; there’s no vehicle to support it. Likewise, sacrificial love without biblical truth simply lacks the legs to truly help those who are suffering… There’s no sense of direction. But to deliver biblical truth absent of sacrificial love is to remove the foundation and covering that allows that same truth to steer the fragility of the sufferers’ heart. We as drivers must utilize the complete vehicle of both sacrificial love and biblical truth to help others in seasons of darkness were their joy has been assaulted. Because we have access to an amazing truth that has the power to save. For as great as a vehicle is at providing both comfort and the ability to travel various terrains; we must not forget it’s primary purpose is to arrive us at our destination. The power of sacrificial love and biblical truth is not in and of itself; but rather it gives you and I-as drivers of the faith- the opportunity to help travel alongside those who are hurting; showing them the way towards the ultimate destination in Christ Jesus.
Biblical truth is the other resource required when stepping into others darkness…and who better to explain its meaning than Jesus. The night before his life was taken; Jesus earnestly prayed to His Father on behalf of not only his current disciples; but future disciples such as you and I. You know what’s absolutely stunning about this? With so many things to pray for; he petitioned for the Lord to distinguish his true disciples apart by granting them revelation to biblical truth which comes from the word of God. Good night! (consider again John 17). In other words, Jesus declared that what would separate his disciples from others was the examination and belief in the pages of God’s Word. Because the word of God contains ultimate truth and reigns supreme as the primary image bearer of who both God and Jesus are; we must lean upon its direction to position our hearts to know the heart of God. Having a robust understanding of God’s word gives us perspective on His heart towards the suffering, widows, orphans, and the desolate.
Yet as important as biblical truth is; it does not stand above sacrificial love. Neither sacrificial love nor biblical truth should usurp each others significance. Dethroning one for the other is like separating a steering wheel from the vehicle. In other words, sacrificial love is like a vehicle. It’s the very essence and foundation of what we sit in to travel towards our destination. The powerful frame of the car protection us from impact, climate changes, and other environmental nuances. Like wise, sacrificial love is the wrapping around our hearts that protects us; ensuring we feel safe. Yet the vehicle will make no traveling gains without the attachment of the steering wheel being used by the driver. Similarly; biblical truth is our steering wheel that guides us towards our purposes and helps navigate the terrain of the unexpected that undoubtedly comes for us all. And we as the driver must properly handle the wheel to properly guide others to the correct destination. Can’t you see? A vehicle without a steering wheel may feel comfortable; but it can never accomplish its intended purpose. The vehicle will remain idle and never move. On the other hand, the steering wheel that has no attachment to a vehicle is equally pointless. No matter how many times you twist and turn the wheel; there’s no vehicle to support it. Likewise, sacrificial love without biblical truth simply lacks the legs to truly help those who are suffering… There’s no sense of direction. But to deliver biblical truth absent of sacrificial love is to remove the foundation and covering that allows that same truth to steer the fragility of the sufferers’ heart. We as drivers must utilize the complete vehicle of both sacrificial love and biblical truth to help others in seasons of darkness were their joy has been assaulted. Because we have access to an amazing truth that has the power to save. For as great as a vehicle is at providing both comfort and the ability to travel various terrains; we must not forget it’s primary purpose is to arrive us at our destination. The power of sacrificial love and biblical truth is not in and of itself; but rather it gives you and I-as drivers of the faith- the opportunity to help travel alongside those who are hurting; showing them the way towards the ultimate destination in Christ Jesus.
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visit the website: MAKING MUCH OF CHRIST MINISTRIES
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visit the website: MAKING MUCH OF CHRIST MINISTRIES
To learn more about The God who’s ready to walk with you click HERE
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!