Many people are known by their last words, or actions. Since my husband and I have been together, I've always needed our last words to each other to be good to each other whether on the phone, or in person. I would need to say I love you, and want to hear that in return. I'm a lover of happy endings, the good guys won, living a life of legacy to those that come behind us. Unfortunately, in our 19 years together, I must admit, it didn't always go that way. And it hurt when it did not.
When the planes hit on 9/11, our country heard the last words of family, friends and loved ones. The aftermath lead to story upon stories of the victims lives, and their last words. Not all were victims. After further investigation, we find out through flight data recordings and voice recorders of testimonies of those that intervened on United Flight 93 to prevent a plane from crashing into the White House & U.S. Capitol Building. Tragedy and triumph on the same day.
In the Bible, we know of tragedy and triumph. When Jesus came into the world, there was a massacre of babies under two years old to kill the Messiah, but God's plans prevailed keeping Jesus safe. I'm not hear to play with anyone's emotions, or express views about the war. I believe God has impressed upon me to encourage you in a time of both tragedy and triumph.
I will admit in my own life, when things are rolling good, it's real good. When things are bad it can get real ugly. As beautiful and lovely as it is to live in Alaska, and this state showing God's beautiful creations, the cold dark, and exremely unpleasant activity in the Winter are a reminder of God's goodness through extreme difficulty. There are times I don't like living in Alaska when I listen to friends or read the local newspaper of tragedies in our own backyard. Years ago we lived next to a Native Pastor and his family when we managed a 32-unit apartment complex. They were a very friendly couple. It was an encouragement to have Christians move in. One day they returned from a trip to find out their nephew hung himself in the bathroom while they were away. Police were pulling into the parking lot. People were crowding around the apartment asking me what happened. I went to their apartment, and walked into a home of extreme mourning. People crying with desperation out to God. I didn't know what to do except cry with them, and offer any help I could give.
Scripture reminds us who is in control of this world. Read John 18:36-37, John 16:16, John 15:14 & 19, John 8:23, John 16:11, John 14:30, John 12:31, 1 John 5:19. Romans 3:23 reminds us that we all fall short of the glory of God as does Psalm 53:1 that there's not one good person on this earth. How differently we would live if we believed that every dimension in our life from happy to tragic to the mundane, were part of a beautiful and purposeful design in which no thread were wrongly woven (Ravi Z). Ps. 139 tells us how fearfully and wonderfully we are made, how marvelous and wonderful are thy works, O Lord. When tragedy strikes, we are not immediate to ponder on the Almighty hand of God. Sometimes we live as though our daily lives are of our own efforts when you do have a cooperative, or uncooperative hand with God.
Romans 12 tells us to present ourselves, James tells us to stand. These are verbs. Action words. We have a role in this relationship with God to submit, or not submit under His sovereignty.
Recently I'd been reading of Jesus last words to His disciples before going to the Cross after he shares the tragedy of Judas betraying Him. His final words before them were:
Let not your hearts be troubled.
Believe in God, believe also in me (Jesus).
I (Jesus) am the way, the truth and the life.
He turns our eyes back to the
basics of our faith.
He reminds us of the many rooms in His Father's house, and why he would tell us if it wasn't true? Search me, know me, how long you been with me? Why would I tell you if it were not true?
He speaks of His return, that where He is we may be also. Jesus said in John 14:7, If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him. If you have trusted in Jesus as Your Savior, You know God and have seen God. Blessed are those that have not seen, and yet believe.
If you love me, keep my commands.
I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.
On Sept. 11th, many children were left as orphans. Orphans go from home to home finding a parent, or the right family to live with. Jesus says, He will come to you.
I am hanging on to these Jesus' last words.
He tells us to keep His word, as that shows our love for Him. He tells us about the Helper, the Holy Spirit who the Father sent in Jesus name. He will teach us all things, and bring to remembrance all that Jesus said to them. I think he still does that today through our testimony of His word in our lives.
(John 14:27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Remember this is all happening as He prepares to head for Calvary. Instead of thinking of the tragedy that's to come of his beatings, the shame, humility, the cross, the crown of thorns, the game playing of the soldiers over his clothes, He is focused on the mission, and work of His Father. His last words are of life, hope, trust and security.
Which brings me to the scripture about the Vine. Jesus said,
I am the Vine you are the branches. If you remain in Him, you will bear much fruit. God has allowed 9/11 to bear much fruit, as tragic as it was/is, many Christians were given the opportunity to serve helping the rescue workers, giving water, clean-up, offering prayer and services to the victims in the tragedy. People say the acts of compassion and kindness have stopped. What are we doing individually, corporately, or as a Nation for it to continue? This got me thinking how can I help. What can I do.
The Vine reveals how God changes you so that you will become even more useful (fruitful) for His glory. Abinding in Him helps us tap into God's spiritual riches. When we're abiding, we can draw deep from God's resources. (Acts 4:13). When we abide, we are "with Jesus" and filled wth His spirit and power. Abiding gives us the "rest" we need to bear a much greater yield. In our intimate time with our Savior, we are strengthened and refreshed to do His work. Abiding carries with it a promise of answered prayer. John 15:7-8. Ask God for what He wants to give. Spend time with Him and allow His passions, priorities, and purposes motivate us, ask for things closest to His heart. You were created for a life mission of abundance for God, but you can't accomplish it on your own. There is a breakfast of mercies waiting, and a future as big as God's love - the breakfast of champions! We are on the side of victory - it only gets better, my friend. Cooperate with God's ways and respond in obedience and trust. (these are notes taken from Bruce Wilkinson's The Secret of the Vine book).
What does God want most to give you, your family, your church? How do we get it? Abiding in Him. Are we "abiding in Him" individually, corporately? What will my epitaph read? My family's? My church?
Our greatest achievements is by the miracle of God's life in us and with us.
After the resurrection, Jesus words to Mary, "I am ascending to your Father and My Father, your God, and my God. Jn 20:11 He puts her on the same level as He, yet He is greater than she. Verse 21, As the Father has sent me (Jesus), even so Jesus is sending you, and me, and my brother in Christ, my sister in Christ (by name), etc. In verse 19, He says "Follow me". In verse 22, He emphasizes, You follow me. Personalizing that, He's looking at me in the eye, and saying don't get distracted, you follow me. Remember the mission.
Empower. We are filled by the Holy Spirit through faith, enabling us to have intimacy with God and enjoy all He has for us. It's all about Jesus, but the frosting is what He does in and through us. Phillippians tells us He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it. By faith, we experience God's power through the Holy Spirit. Paul prayed Eph. 3:16-19 that we would full experience the Spirit's strengthening power in our inner being. Jn 7:37-39. Reaffirm your faith silently Eph. 5:18, and promise 1 Jn. 5:14, 15. If you're not able to , maybe there's someone among you that can pray for you. Heb. 3:13-14
Jesus has overcome the world. We overcome in Him.
What is your 9/11? What is your tragedy? Your triumph? In three words describe the last 30-60 days of your life. What fruit of the spirit, would you like the Holy Spirit to work in your situation (Gal. 3:3, Gal 5:16, 25 & Gal. 5:22, 23). Are we living our lives through the Spirit, or a ditch where we will fall on either side.
I know we're not perfect, but knowing that God wants us to have His peace, how does that change your current outlook on life? Do you have anything you need to give to Jesus to allow you the freedom to worship Him more? What is your ground zero?
