While preparing to share blessings that I have recently received, my attention was drawn to an advertisement for the upcoming release of a book addressing problems facing the people of God:
We’ve lost ourselves. Disconnected from the past and uncertain about the future, we are anxious about what our lives will be and are troubled by a nagging sense of meaninglessness. Adrift in the world, many Christians have their identity completely wrapped up in work and their definition of the “good life” is financial success. Fewer believers stay committed to the Christian faith, finding it difficult to reconcile their experience with their longings and desires.
For me, this depiction of Christianity points to the fact that our world is in desperate need of healing and highlights a simple, but very pertinent, question: How can we get out of this mess?
Over 2500 years ago, facing what appeared to be certain defeat at the hands of the king of Aram, Elisha’s servant asked a similar question. The answer that he received is key to understanding that God is already present and at work in what we may perceive to be a mess:
Then he dispatched horses and chariots, an impressive fighting force. They came by night and surrounded the city. Early in the morning a servant of the Holy Man got up and went out. Surprise! Horses and chariots surrounding the city! The young man exclaimed, “Oh, master! What shall we do?” He said, “Don’t worry about it—there are more on our side than on their side.” Then Elisha prayed, “O God, open his eyes and let him see.” The eyes of the young man were opened and he saw. A wonder! The whole mountainside full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha (2 Kings 6:14-17 MSG)!
In order for the Church to be part of the solution, we must take Christ out of a building and let His love be felt by the hurting among us. Reflecting on the care that Linda receives at Legacy Village, on September 13, 2020, I wrote, “Each day, as the caregiving team faithfully meets the needs of those whom many consider unnecessary, I become more aware that they grasp something that the Church sometimes seems to forget:
… our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary… If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it (1 Corinthians 12:18-22, 26-27 NLT).
Since writing those words, the Lord has opened my eyes to the degree that His body, the Church, is at work in the world, and in my life:
In the World — Even though the reality of the publisher’s assessment of Western Christianity described in my opening statement has merit, it must be evaluated in light of Elisha’s answer to his servant and the magnificent display of love and compassion presently being demonstrated through ministries such as “Samaritan’s Purse,” “Voice of the Martyrs,” and “Ministry to Israel.” Huge volumes of supplies, paid for by the people of God, are relieving the suffering of the less fortunate among us, as members of His body, the Church, fulfill the Great Commission.
In my Life — Serving as a primary caregiver to my precious wife Linda is for me a sacred calling. God has used her helplessness to reveal His great love and compassion; however, I must admit that I am much more comfortable in providing care than I am in receiving care. Ten days ago, entering Tennova Healthcare for knee surgery, I assured the nurses that I would not need a cane or a walker and my daughters that I would be back to normal in three or four days. After uncontrollably expressing gas in the recovery room and urinating on the floor while two young nurses assisted me in walking to the restroom, I guess it would be safe to say that I received a crash course in receiving a blessing; however, just in case, another week of having my wonderful daughters wait on me hand and foot finished the job! God has a way of bringing balance to that which is out of kilter – replacing pride with humility and self- sufficiency with an awareness of my need for others.
Ron Harvard Ministries 