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 nowhere 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 savior, 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.
Key Verse: God is our refuge and strength, a very
present help in trouble. ~ Psalm 46:1
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment