But we can’t live without getting our shoes in the mud. Only–mud doesn’t scar. I can be washed away.”
–Ernest Haycox (Free Grass)
“The Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I went in bitterness and turmoil, but the Lord’s hold on me was strong.”
–Ezekiel 3:14 (NLT)
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Life can be troublesome, to say the least. Just ask those folk along the Carolina coast. They might have more than their share of trouble right now.
But the storms come to all in one form or another. Some of them weigh us down and we wonder how we are going to make it through it. We struggle to lift our feet just doing the daily routines of life. Then, the storm passes and there is a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit of our lives and we notice that all the mud has been washed away.
Then there are those storms, those battles, that underneath the mud and grim, there are wounds. Wounds deep enough to leave a scar. Scars come from those things that deeply affect us. Things that hopefully we learn from and become better in our daily walk. However, with some, those scars will make a person bitter. They will complain the rest of the life, singing, “woe is me…”.
I recall the words of Henry V (Shakespeare) when he was ready to face the French forces at Agincourt. This one day, royals and commoners will have a bond. This battle will produce scars and in the future when we remember this holiday (St. Crispian) all of us will look at our scars and remember the valiant fight and brotherhood that war brings. Scars were a sign of unity, of family that went beyond status.
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Often we look at the death of Jesus as a great tragedy, but in reality it wasn’t. Because of the cross, and what it accomplished, and then the resurrection the Lord went back to the Father and is in the process of preparing a place for us. The question should be asked: Do we believe in the great goal that is confronting us of getting to the Father and getting to heaven?
There are tragedies in life to be sure; the Bible does not tell us that will will not face troubles in this life nor be immune to situations not to our liking. However, it does tell us that we are but passing through this world of time. Jesus has already saved us, now we get through this life the best we can with Him as our guide. It is not a tip-toe-through-the-tulips walk. It is more like a walk through the thorn bushes and brambles of life. In the midst of these problems think of the words of the Lord that he gave to John:
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband… God Himself shall be with them… God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
–Revelation 21:2-4
In all of our trials and troubles remember that the Lord has already gone before. All enemies that stand against us this side of heaven have been met and defeated. The door of heaven is open to us. It is imperative then, that we continue to walk toward that heavenly city, come what may.
“And may the music of Thy name,
Refresh my soul in death.”
–John Newton