“A House of Fragile Things” |
We live today in a house of fragile things and that House is the Church. It is filled with fragile people in pews and fragile pastors in pulpits. Fragility takes many forms. Many are fragile with regard to all of life due to the insecurities of the day we are living in. (Covid has done significant damage in numerous ways to our country and our culture as well as to the church.) Some are fragile psychologically though you might not know it or notice it. Their fragility is acute when just the right pressure is applied. Our fragility is manifested physically with the onset of age bringing its difficulties to the body and some to the mind. Annual visits to the doctor multiply into more frequent visits to many different types of doctors. All of this reminds us of the reality of “the fall” in the garden of Eden, the death sentence pronounced to each of us, and the fragility and futility found in “living life under the sun.” The disturbing difficulties in life become the vexing vicissitudes of life that can leave us swimming in a pool of angst and anxiety. Jesus spoke in the midst of another troubled time and another corrupt culture which was in a frightening freefall of morality and courage. His words of True Truth were important then and they are important today. Jesus proclaims: “I will build My church and the gates of hell will not prevail.” (Matt. 16:18) But that does not mean that the devil will not try, nor that we will not feel the evil effects of his efforts against our efforts for Him. Jesus promises: “In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33) Jesus pronounces: “Do not let your heart be troubled or be fearful.” (Jo 14:27) This double imperative, this pair of commands to His followers then and His followers today, asks us to live today and each day by faith. Faith in His person, His power, and His plan. The world may be falling apart, but it is a great time for the church to come together. Serving Him with you until He comes for us, Fred |