Better Chaplain Series - A Present Help in Trouble

When the Son of God stepped into human flesh two millennia ago, he was called "Immanuel" which being translated means "God With Us". He did many things in his incarnation, but one of the most important is in his name, he brought God near to us, and he brought us near to God. The broken relationship between God and men was healed so that we can with confidence believe Psalm 46:1.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

This verse was illuminated to me by Pastor Tyler Hicks who stated that one of his favorite things to hear from his kids is "Dad, help!" because he knows that they are reaching out for their near help, a present help in times of trouble. In many cases he is able to help because he is near.

Pastors have known for millennia that they are often called upon in the most importune times. Chaplains have a compounded accessibility with duty rosters and duty phones, and they often minister among people who have no-where else to turn to for help. Ask any chaplain and you'll hear of very inconvenient conversations. Years ago I took a late night phone call to have the caller ask career advice for promotion. He assured me it was an emergency. After speaking for a few minutes I said bluntly, "Help me to understand how this is an emergency." He got his thoughts together and it became clear that he was in the first year of a six year contract, hated his job, and saw no way to improve his situation without a drastic promotion. All of the sudden I knew why it was an emergency: he was at his wits end and his hope was failing. I thank God that I didn't do what my flesh wanted to do, which was to end the conversation curtly; would I have ever had the chance to talk to him again?

Chaplain, you are a present help in times of trouble. Some of the worst chaplains I know regularly schedule appointments out by weeks. Sometimes there is a place for that, but it should not be your normal ministry. Jesus missed a healing by stopping to help someone, and that healing had to be turned into a resurrection (Mark 5:21-43). If you want to be Christlike, make yourself available to inconvenient opportunities.

But, never forget that there is a very present help, a better helper, a better saviour, than you, but that you are his ambassador, you are operating vicariously in his place, you are the only Bible most people will ever read. My chaplain endorser, Liberty Baptist Fellowship, declares that our call is to "Bear the message and presence of Christ around the globe." That's not just for LBF chaplains, it's the call of all pastors, chaplains, and saints.

More:

1. The company Amazon traces much of its success to "frictionless experiences"; what sort of things get in your way of being available to those who need you? How can you be more frictionless and easier to interact with?

2. The temptation is to say, "There are too many people who need me." Maybe that's true...but most likely it's not. How can you better schedule your day, prioritize your ministry, and love people?

3. Further Resources:

Jones, Timothy Paul and Michael Wilder. The God Who Goes Before You. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2015.

Casting Crowns. If We Are the Body. 2003. Sparrow Records.