(Read 2 Corinthians)
Let me start by saying I am not comparing myself to Jesus Christ. I don’t have any of His godliness and less than one centillionth (1×10303) of His righteousness. I am, however, trying a new tactic to model my life and behavior after His. Like most of us, I am busy, distracted, and let the world dominate too much of my schedule. Even though my encouragement and kindness still exist, I’m finding that I’m bothered by the smallest requests from people, friends, and family and overreacting to harmless comments. Inside my gentle and optimistic shell is a toxic bubbling ooze.
For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6 (NLT)
The weekend wasn’t good. The last we heard from our daughter was a plea for help a week before. While it wasn’t life-threatening, it was undoubtedly a roadblock. She tends to go into dark places when things aren’t going well, and silence from her is very loud to a parent. It’s like a loud cry. My wife came to me Monday night and said, “I’m really worried. We haven’t heard from her in a while. She’s not replying to our texts. Something could have happened.” My first reaction was that she’s just being who she is and will reach out when she really needs us. Then, that grain of doubt started festering in my head. We are friends with parents who lost their oldest child to suicide. She had gone silent, and they hadn’t heard from her in months, maybe longer. They got a phone call from a Sheriff somewhere in Texas telling them the absolute worst news ever. We certainly didn’t think our daughter had taken her life, but I’m sure the parents mentioned earlier didn’t think that either.
On Tuesday, I decided to fly across the country to surprise our daughter at work. She’s a nursing student doing hospital rounds in her last rotation before she gets her degree. I dropped all my obligations this week and booked a flight, rental car, and hotel. We weren’t even 100% sure which hospital she would be at, but I thought this was something I had to do.
As the text above from 2 Corinthians points out, people who serve God are given the ability to shine His perfect light on others, to those in darkness and despair.
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT)
We are breakable clay pots that are containers for the priceless Gospel Jesus gave us. In those days, clay pots were earthen vessels sometimes used for dishonorable purposes. (2 Timothy 2:20.) God could have used beings much greater than us, like angels or cherubs, to reveal His treasures, but instead, He chose us.
My wife and I don’t have the financial resources to stop what we’re doing and hop on a plane to travel 1,700 miles away. We would feel the impact of this trip. I packed for a week, not knowing the situation. Was this impulsive? Without a doubt. For a few hours on Tuesday morning, I debated whether I should go. She would likely be OK, and yes, we trust God with her life. Since discerning God’s will isn’t a gift any human has perfected, I thought if I didn’t go and something terrible happened, I would regret it for the rest of my life. I had to go. I didn’t know where I would find her, I didn’t know how long I would spend with her or if I would even see her – she goes on hiking or skiing trips sometimes, and since she wasn’t communicating with us, we didn’t know.
I arrived late on Tuesday night and finally turned in around 2 am. Later that morning, I drove to her hospital and took a selfie in front of a recognizable billboard banner. I attached the picture and texted her, “Wow, this hospital is huge! Let me know if you have time for a coffee on your break.” I grabbed some lunch in the cafeteria and waited. And I waited. And I waited. My wife kept texting me, “What’s going on? Are you with her?” Then it came. “Hey! Are you here?” I told her I was in her cafeteria if she’d have a few minutes for a coffee or lunch. She said the was coming down for lunch with some of her student friends in a few minutes.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
“I AM” is a name God used for himself while speaking to Moses about 1,500 years before Jesus was born. Then the apostle John records Jesus ascribing this same name to Himself to show the world that He was God and would deliver on His promises. This was a big claim for a man known for His humility. His audience was probably not expecting such a statement. Jesus told them that as the great I AM, He could fix all brokenness, He is the only true light of the world, and that as followers of Him, they could also light the world.
When I saw my daughter walking into the big room in her professional attire (scrubs), I was so happy. She came up to me and gave me a huge, strong hug. “What are you doing here?” she asked. I told her that I was only there to support her. I had no agenda. I was only there to help her and demonstrate our love. That’s what parents do. That’s what God, as the Divine father, has done for eternity.
We ate quickly because she only had a little time. She kept saying, “I’m so surprised!” She turned away from me and mumbled, “I can’t look at you because I’ll cry.” She was a student under a microscope, so I understood what that meant. Later that day, we had a wonderful dinner and didn’t talk much. It was being present with her that meant the most. After more hugs, it was time to say good night.
I didn’t get to see her at the hospital today due to restrictions on her schedule. We enjoyed some more time together after her rounds. After I arrived at my hotel room last night, she texted me, “ I love you so much, I hope you know.” Had I told her I was coming to visit her, she would have told me not to bother. The stress of thinking she would have to entertain me, clean up, and be a perfect host would have been overwhelming in her mind.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer is another book I’m in the middle of. The day before I took this spontaneous and probably crazy trip, I read the author’s take on Jesus’ life. Jesus was never in a hurry. He always made time for people. On His way to heal Jarius’ daughter, he stopped to talk with a woman dealing with chronic bleeding problems who had touched his clothing. He comforted her. “Daughter, your faith has healed you.” (Mark 5:34). Imagine what Jarius was thinking… uh c’mon, man. She really needs you!
During our moment of perceived crisis, I prayed about what to do. I thought back to the book or was maybe led back to what I had read. Be like Jesus. Be available to everyone. Make time when time is needed for someone.
For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.
Psalm 18:28
The Lord lightens our darkness through our darkness. His light not only comforts us and gives us the truth, but it guides us. That light that blasts through darkness is His love. Even though we stray and make mistakes, the ultimate Father loves us no matter what, just as parents love no matter what.
In my ruthless elimination of hurry, I’m trying to do better to be mindful of my silence and worship. I’m trying to do better keeping a Sabbath, whether it’s a Saturday or Sunday. I’m trying to behave more like Jesus by not letting my fear of the dreaded schedule prevent me from being there for someone.
I turned to her before walking out of her apartment tonight, and she said, “you brought me out of my darkness. I love you.” The hugs alone were worth every second, mile, and dollar of this trip. The memories from the most expensive lunch I’ve ever had will last for eternity.
Key Application:
- Read 2 Corinthians. Where do you look for light? Put down that distracting phone and turn off the streaming TV. Spend real time with someone. Offer to help, especially when it’s not convenient. Be available.
- For this week, make more time for your worship. Make it more meaningful. Pray to God when you have time for His silent pause. Look for His light everywhere in your light.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.