The Fields of the Sea of Galilee
Dear Friends, in light of the speed and breadth of change in worldwide circumstances, here are some of my thoughts.
I also wanted to let you know that I started this series of emails with a small group of friends and family, but it’s grown a bit more than that in the last few weeks. If you know anyone who may be interested in reading it as well, please feel free to send it to them and invite them to subscribe. It’s still a relatively small list, so it's safe to assume most of the people you know don’t already receive it. Thanks.
Being in the middle of a story isn’t always easy:
A friend sent me this 3-minute video of a girl going back to talk to her past self —pre-corona. You can imagine the comical, yet confusing scene when “future her” tells “past her” to sell all her stocks and buy Zoom—“What’s Zoom?” —and to make a Costco run for some extra toilet paper. “Huh?” It's a funny scene of living in an experience without context of the greater story.
We are living a story, too. Like with any story, there is an author. And the story has a beginning, middle and an end. However, living in any given chapter that is confusing, stressful, frightening, or frustrating is hard until we can begin to imagine what's on the next page. Then we have a better idea of what to do today.
The surest way to project ahead is to know the author--what has he written up to now, and what is his character. I’m thankful that the author is God, and the chapters are written by the sweet interplay of our choices and his sovereign will. Understanding where we are in the present as part of a narrative is powerful. And that’s why I’m thankful God chose a narrative, a story that has a beginning, middle and end, to reveal Himself and to invite us into His presence.
Understanding the character of the author by starting at the beginning.
“In the beginning...” There are three places in the Bible that talk about the beginning of the story. Genesis 1:1; John 1:1,2; and Hebrews 1:10. Each verse highlights two facts: God created the heavens and earth and laid the foundations of the earth; and, Jesus was with God Almighty and participated with Him when he did so. The truth revealed in these verses is simple--God is sovereign and the author of our stories.
The following “chapters,” both in the Bible and in our lives, continue to reveal His character. He is capable--His sovereignty will overcome even in the hearts of those that are against him. He is faithful--He keeps His promises. He is loving--He does not spare he who is closest to Him, Jesus, in order to remove all obstacles for us to choose and go to Him. He is the one who absorbs all of our imperfections so that we can be with Him, in His presence.
Knowing the beginning and believing in the end of the narrative helps us carry the weight of the present.
Jesus knew the “Author” more intimately than anyone. Therefore, Jesus trusted Him. Jesus also recognized the power of knowing the beginning and the end of the story. Just before his crucifixion and during the brief forty days on earth after his resurrection, Jesus enlightened his followers about the beginning and gave them courage to believe in the end of the story. Understanding where they stood in the context of God’s narrative lifted the weight of their circumstances, encouraging them to stand firm in the wake of struggles and persecution.
Jesus reminded his followers he was there in the beginning. **After his resurrection, Jesus gave his followers confidence by reminding them of the beginning of the story. He showed them where he was throughout their scriptures. Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself”... Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures...Luke 24:45-47
Jesus encouraged his followers by promising he is there at the end. Before his arrest, as his followers were about to enter the “dark days of the middle of the story,” Jesus gave them hope by directing their attention to the end of the story. Jesus says “ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also…. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:28-33
Jesus knew that his followers would face the darkness of the crucifiction, the confusion of understanding the God’s Kingdom, and the hardship or persecution that would follow. He also knew that understanding the beginning of the story and giving glimpses of the end would lift the weight off their present, as they lived through the middle of the story.
Perhaps we can be encouraged by the same.
When you consider your current circumstances and beyond, answer these three questions: