(x)wisdom

My high school friend Mike Chasse died on November 3rd in a New Jersey prison. Mike and I were mostly connected through football, having played together in junior high and high school. It seems like yesterday Eric H., Brian C., and I were eating lunch in the Lewiston High School cafeteria. I also remember the time these guys helped us move to our house in Auburn. That piano almost killed us but we were motivated by donuts. Together we ate about three dozen, though I think Mike ate a dozen by himself.

I'll never forget the time Mike burst out laughing in the hall between classes. It was as if the site of Brian made him remember the joke from lunch and he was just now getting it. It was hilarious, even for Mike. I also remember the way he used to yell, "Come on guys!" from the sidelines; even my mother remembers how he said it.

The book of Job is the Bible's answer to the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?"

Job, the man from Uz, is said to be blameless and then he's shown to suffer a great deal; loosing his children and wealth on one day and his health and dignity on the next. His friends hear of Job's fait and resolve together to be with Job and comfort him. As the friends approach Job it would seem that they are faced with the reality that the reports of Job's struggles failed to communicate the gravity of Job's situation.

If the Bible says a thing is a blessing and a helpful thing, then it is. If the Bible goes on to warn that one should be careful not to use the thing to the extreme, including addiction, this does not negate the blessedness of the thing. The Bible is simply saying, "Don't turn a good thing into a god thing", to use Mark Driscolls phrase.

To prohibit a blessed thing completely on the grounds that sin is possible is stupid; worse, it's sinful.

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,

who put darkness for light and light for darkness,

who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20)

After being away from the office for two weeks I returned to find a thorny vine growing up in front of my window. I've noticed these vines growing in various areas around my house and they tend to grow as part of undergrowth, around trees and bushes that they can climb up and curl around. Sometimes they blend in so well that I only notice them once I'm being cut by the thorns. These thorny vines have a way of making beautiful things painful.

From our earliest days our drive is fueled by our craving to satisfy our desires. We are driven for food, for possessions, for status, for recognition. But in the end all of these will be consumed or given to someone else. Food will turn to waste. Possessions will rust and rot. Status and fame will fade with the fickle passions of those who bestow them. "This also is vanity and a striving after wind."

We mindlessly strive for pleasures without eyes to see our wickedness. The road is wide and the lanes packed with people striving after this futility. Wasted lives in the making. We are powerless to change our affections, which drain every ounce of energy in their quest for fulfillment chasing after mirages. Each time our disappointment is mended with the promise of something better, yet we are blind to see the pattern. What then shall we do? Who can save us from this futility, from this death?

'Tis the season for remembrance and gift giving. Yet, as I set out this Christmas time to bless those that I love, I find myself wondering, "What do they need? What do they want? And, can I afford it?"

I suppose this all might sound a bit analytical but I've come to realize that in most cases the best thing I can offer are encouraging words in the form of analysis, diagnosis, and prescription. So, given all that, how can I most bless you this Christmas? I suppose I could write a poem or a song. Perhaps I could make a craft for you, or buy you the perfect gift. Or maybe I could do for you what comes most natural for me.

Allow me to start with a fundamental question. What do we humans need the most? After all, if we fail to diagnose our basic problem then can we ever hope to recognize the proper solution?

Theologian D.A. Carson recently said,

Who can calculate the importance of a daddy to a son? The magnitude of this question would be perilizing if I didn't have hope that God is sovereign AND holy.

Scripture

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2:14-18)

Sermon Audio

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The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. (Psalm 33:16-19)

He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. (Malachi 1:6-14)