“Wandering Lamb… Faithful Shepherd”

     Even before sin entered the human equation, one could see the characteristics that would make Adam susceptible to temptation.

    “And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.  She shall be called woman because she was taken out of man” (Genesis 2:23). 

 

     Note the conspicuous absence of gratitude to God in Adam for so great a gift as Eve.  No thanksgiving or praise is recorded, and no Godward acknowledgement of any kind.  Instead, “my… my” becomes the focus, even to the point that Adam emphasizes his involvement in Eve’s origin – “she was taken out of man.” 

    After he sinned by directly disobeying the commandment of God, self-exaltation and ingratitude became the dominant sensibility in Adam and all his subsequent progeny.  Left to itself, humanity would possess no thought or consideration of the One who originated our being, sustains it, and gives to us “life and breath and all things” (Acts 17:25).  We are innately blind to the great fact of our existence, and thus require proactive works of illumination by God to open our darkened eyes.  “There is none that seeketh after God” (Romans 3:11). 

     Thankfully, our Heavenly Father loves us with an unwavering devotion despite our chosen waywardness.  He reveals Himself in the world, in His Word, and in our hearts by the working of the Holy Spirit sent to illuminate us to the One in whom we “live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).  In those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God works to educate us, remind us, and open our eyes to that which should be obvious to all, but is not. 

     In my own heart and life, I find that despite the fact of how much I preach, teach, write, read and converse with other believers, much of my experience still belies a neglect of God and His loving involvement in my life.  How much I miss by my dullness and failure to acknowledge the great fact of my existence!  Even more, however, how faithful our Good Shepherd is to His frequently wandering lamb!  Perhaps you feel the same way.  If so, let us take this moment together to open our hearts and eyes to reality, the reality of the God who saturates our existence despite our too frequent ignorance and ingratitude.

“Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD.”

(Psalm 118:19)

“Self-Destructive?”

    I was reminded of this truth today as I witnessed a strange and disturbing sight (you’ve likely seen this also).  Passing by three young men, likely teenagers, I noticed that their pants were so baggy and oversized that one hand was required to keep them from falling around their feet.  The pants actually sagged beneath the line of their rear ends, and as always, I shook my head in complete bewilderment.

      “How can they do this to themselves?” I thought, and then I remembered Paul’s words.  Human beings don’t do such absurd and destructive things to themselves.  We rather fall victim to outside influences who seek our shame, damage and destruction.

     “We wrestle not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12).

    Much harm that happens to the human race, while often by executed by our own hand, originates in the nefarious minds of devilish influences.  Certainly, we participate in our hurt or demise by allowing it to happen, and we are fully responsible.  "Neither give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27). Nevertheless, the self-protective bent ingrained in our humanity means that self-destructive behaviors always begin outside ourselves.

    Several years ago in our area, a young man was struck and killed by a car as he sought to quickly cross a busy street.  His pants fell down to his ankles as he ran, tripping him, and leaving him helplessly exposed to an oncoming vehicle. Again, the young man was fully responsible for his own suicide, as it were.  However, entities beyond himself enticed him to an insane and dangerous behavior that tragically led to his untimely end. 

     This truth applies to countless human thought patterns, attitudes and behaviors that seem antithetical to a race that does not hate its own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it.  Indeed, no person would of themselves forfeit the use of a good arm simply to look ludicrous and foolish.  “Help” is required for that, and whether it be the three young men I reference, or perhaps temptations we face in our lives, we do well to realize the existence of those entities always seeking our harm.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

(I Peter 5:8)

“Uncle Buddy”

    Frances’ Uncle Buddy went to be with his Lord this past Friday.

    Of the many things that could be said about Robert Clinton Vrocher, three are paramount: he loved the Lord, he loved his family, and he loved people.  Most importantly, he fulfilled this holy triumvirate of devotion to that which truly matters because he trusted in the Christ who motivates and enables such blessedness.  “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5).

     I was never in Uncle Buddy’s presence when I did not personally experience or witness him express genuine interest in other people.  He would shake your hand or hug you, and then look right into your eyes as he asked how you were doing.  He really wanted to know, and never was the conversation about him.  He was one of those people whose vision always seemed to be directed outward rather than inward, and I can honestly say that every time I’ve ever thought about Uncle Buddy, the same consideration comes to mind:  “what a sweet, sweet man.”

    The pastor who delivered the message at Uncle Buddy’s memorial service spoke of celebrating a life well lived.  This was perfectly appropriate because Uncle Buddy knew what life is really about.  As Frances often says, “Life is about God and people.  Everything else is just stuff.”  The presence of the Lord Jesus in a heart ready to respond works to fulfill this understanding that the two great commands of Scripture – loving God and loving people – beckon us to experience what it means to be truly alive.  “To live is Christ” declared the Apostle Paul, and of all that one can say about the Lord Jesus, loving His Father and loving people graces every detail of our Savior’s existence (Philippians 1:21).  Frances’ Uncle Buddy realized this truth of all truths in a particularly sublime way, and became a wonderful reflection of its Light.  He will be missed, and the memory of this “sweet, sweet man” will always bring to mind the wonder of a sweet, sweet Savior.

“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

(Philippians 2:4)