Write It Down & Make It Clear
Posted by Dr. RusDec 14
A Call For Help!
How many times do I have to yell, “Help! Murder! Police!” before you come to the rescue?
We’ve all heard the phrase, and maybe used it from time to time, “There’s never a cop around when you need one.” There are times when we wonder if anyone is hearing our cry for help. It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about crime, or simply addressing a family or personal crisis. Sometimes many feel all alone. A friend of mine wrote a song a number of years ago called Lonely In A Crowd. It’s an alarming song about how many people wander this earth, feeling lonely in a crowd.
Have you ever felt like that? Lonely in a crowd?
Surrounded By Injustice
Sometimes we think we’re the only ones feeling betrayed and scorned. Sometimes we think the whole world is against us and no one else cares, or even understands. While these are real emotions, and I’m not making light of them at all, when we begin to realize we’re not alone, then we do begin seeing light at the end of the tunnel. It’s really the age old question – When the going gets tough, where will go?
People are searching for a message of hope these days. President-elect Obama’s main platform was one of hope. Will he deliver hope? Time will tell. But, I can tell you one thing, the government’s form of hope, no matter who’s in power, ultimately does not bring fulfillment. The government’s concept of hope seems to be bailouts, taxing the rich, and getting involved in every aspect of life. The government’s concept of hope will fall short in the end. The government is already broke, and turning on the money-making-machine and handing out billions of dollars, will fall short.
However, even in the midst of where we are now, we do have much to be thankful for. I believe for the first time in a long time people are starting to search for a true message of hope. The question is, where will they find that answer?
It’s A Simple Unadorned Message
The Sunday after the 9-11 terrorist attack in New York City, church attendance skyrocketed. Why? Because people were searching for some kind of hope. Now, as we find ourselves a number of years removed from that attack, church attendance is actually lower than it was before the 9-11 attacks. How did this happen? I believe it’s because when people went to church to find the message of hope, they left wanting. The church has become irrelevant in its search for relevancy. Could it be in it’s attempt to become hip and trendy, the church has lost touch with the simple message of hope?
As we find ourselves in the midst of another Christmas season I’m reminded that one of the four candles many churches light during this time represents the fact that some 2,000 years ago a man named John the Baptist declared a very simple message. In The Message translation, Eugene Peterson translates the words of Matthew 3 saying;
“His message was simple and austere.”
Webster’s translates austere as markedly simple and unadorned. Could it be many have made the simple message of hope, brain surgery? It was the prophet Habakkuk who wondered where God was when the nation of Israel found itself scattered to the ends of the earth exiled in Babylon. It was Habakkuk who said, “How many times need I need to yell help before you respond.” The response was concise — “Write the message of hope down, make it clear, and make it simple so others will understand it.”
As we find ourselves wondering what’s going on around us, the message of hope really is quite simple — “His plans are not to harm us, but to prosper us, giving us hope for the future.”
A Fellow Sojourner,
Dr. Rus
4 comments
Comment by Ken Davis on December 14, 2008 at 2:18 pm
This is a killer blog post. I am preaching on the 28th and will use some of what you have presented here. My title will be something like “Where did I put that hope?” Facing 2009 in the midst of fear, economic woes, personal tragedy. Focus on leaning only on Christ for the hope we so desperately seek. You and I friend are of kindred spirit. “Where Christ abides, hope never dies!” I hope you have splendid Christmas.
Comment by Shellie (baylormum) on December 14, 2008 at 6:34 pm
The 12 step meeting I attended today spoke on the spiritual principle, hope. Maybe that is the word of the month. It’s a God thing when the same word appears in two dif messages in the same day. I have so much hope. No longer numbed by narcotics, not only has hope reappeared in my life, but the faith that goes along with it. I must not set unrealistic goals. To do that could shot hope down. Having hope in something makes me bubbly. If I am bubbly then that shows. If that shows, then maybe someone I come in contact with will take my hope & make it theirs. I love sharing the message of not only recovery, but the hope that my HP, God, is there to hear my cries (or yells) for help. I cannot go on if I don’t know when to ask for help. And I have to listen. Hope is for sharing.
Comment by Audra Krell on December 14, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Our minister spoke about John the Baptist today. It was regarding how even John’s father, who was spiritually mature, struggled with doubt. So, even after we understand and accept the message of hope, we do well to remember that no one is perfect, and we will have seasons where we question. To get to that point though, would be the goal for much of the world. It’s my prayer that this Christmas, many would embrace the free gift of hope and then help others to believe.
Comment by Dr. Rus on December 15, 2008 at 5:53 pm
It’s amazing how many people are talking about hope these days. I do believe we are poised and ready to really encourage people to move forward with hope, instead being caught in despair.