From mourning to mission
Adobe
Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all of King Ahasuerus's provinces, both near and far. He ordered them to celebrate the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar every year because during those days the Jews gained relief from their enemies. That was the month when their sorrow was turned into rejoicing and their mourning into a holiday. They were to be days of feasting, rejoicing, and of sending gifts to one another and to the poor. —Esther 9:20-22
Everything we cannot yet see is already accomplished in God's heart and mind. The best music ever written awaits its debut. The most beautiful songs ever sung by the richest of vocal performances lie just ahead. The party that will endure forever is filling out its guest list. Tearless eternity, endless joy, and perfect love are ready for the multitude of guests from every people and language group (Rev. 7:9).
A well-worn, but not worn-out, sermon outline from John 14:1-6 is positively true:
- Heaven is Real
- Heaven is Reachable
- Heaven is Ready
The last ninety-seven words may not seem to have much to do with today's text. There is a connection, however. Verse 22 says in part,
That was the month when their sorrow was turned into rejoicing and their mourning into a holiday.
All of God's stories have happy endings. Every tragedy becomes a triumph. Every loss becomes a win. Every heart turned toward home arrives.
Some people stubbornly write their own stories. No matter how inspirational a book may make such a person sound, no matter how thrilling a movie may make his or her life appear, every path leading away from God's perfect love and infinite purpose is at its end a loss, a failure.
Thank God he loves failures, among whom the Apostle Paul and I are foremost. As one old song says, "He turns zeroes into heroes." Every single person now alive can finish well by realizing there is a God and we are not Him. As much as we squint our eyes, squeeze our fists, and repeat Hollywood babble, we are never going to manifest ourselves into heaven on earth or a heavenly eternity. God's gift of life that endures forever can only be received by a humble and grateful heart.
Rest assured, beyond the chaos and the threats of this uncertain age, there is a certain eternal reality ready for all who will believe it and receive it.
I recorded a voicemail on my office telephone yesterday. It was hard to know what to say. Surgery will give way to recovery that includes six weeks of confinement to home with doctor's orders to "do as little as possible." His orders also include walking several times daily at increasing distances. This means reading, writing, and no arithmetic other than counting the hours and giving them names.
You may feel like a failure today, your life a total zero. Boy, does God ever have a story for you to live into! Are you ready for adventure? Those who turn their hearts toward God experience a summit worth every step of the climb.
Prayer:Our Father, please give us a glimpse of glory. Open our eyes to reality more real than this moment. Draw us to your heart, your mind, your highest and best you long to lavish on all who love you. Prepare us for the party. Use us to extend the guest list. Remind us as often as necessary of what lies ahead, no matter what lies behind. Amen.
 | David Bowman, (DMin, PCC) is the Executive Director of Tarrant Baptist Association in Fort Worth, Texas. He also serves as a Multiplying Trainer for Future Church Co. Learn More » |
More on Spiritual Growth and Soul Care
- What I learned from Jim Harbaugh about how to attack the day (by Tom Crenshaw)
- True repentance (by Bob Russell)
- The four faces of the nones: what Ryan Burge’s new research reveals (by Thom Rainer)
- Six holiday and new year stress strategies from Jesus (by Jim Farrer)
