Cindy and I were talking over dinner last night, and the conversation turned to some of those incredibly interesting stories in the bible. These stories always have deeper meanings than appear on their surface, and contain timeless lessons for those who ponder them.
I wondered aloud how many people have actually read the bible cover to cover. The more I thought about it, the more interesting that question became. I mean, here we have this book of deep, deep wisdom.....and my guess is that 95% of American adults have not read it in its entirety.
OK, OK---maybe I'm not talking about the "begats" and some of the esoteric stuff in books like Leviticus.....but I am referring to the bulk of the Old and New Testaments.
I saw a poll that was done a few years ago where 80% of Americans call themselves Christians. How can that truly be if I am right and 95% haven't read the bible?
Thoughts, anyone?
It was cold and windy and rainy in Knoxville all day yesterday. Cindy and I left home around 2:00 to do some shopping that we couldn't put off any longer.
I drove through the nasty elements to our first stop; and when I reached the interstate, about five minutes from our home, I saw a man standing on the opposite ramp. I could only see him from behind, as he faced the traffic that was exiting the superhighway. He was slightly bent in his posture, as if he had been beaten down by life. He was holding a sign for the oncoming traffic to see. He was a pitiful, pathetic sight. He was cold, soaked and alone.
We were able to see him standing there for only a few seconds as we passed by. I wondered what was written on the sign. Was he begging for a handout? Was he willing to work for money or food? We will never know, because we had passed by him so quickly.
But, that terrible vision remained in our hearts all day. When we returned home, we sat down and discussed our feelings about that solitary man in the wintry weather.
We have seen these poor people many, many times before. Most are homeless. All are in severe need of the basics of life. Many are conflicted. Many are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Many are unable to stay on the right side of the law.
Nonetheless, they are human beings upon whom life has dealt terrible cards. If I am truly honest with myself, I can say that, although I have been supremely blessed by God, I am, in reality, just one or two bad breaks away from being that man. We all are, if we would be truthful with ourselves.
Jesus said that to help the downtrodden is to help HIM as well (Matthew 25:31---46).
Sitting in the warm comfort of our home last night discussing the fact that we call ourselves "Christians" while not doing what Jesus asked us to do for the less fortunate, I felt ashamed of myself for not trying to help that man.
Of course, we do know the risks of doing that.....perhaps the man had a weapon and was dangerous. Perhaps he was mentally ill and would be difficult to relate to. If we gave him some money, perhaps he would use it to buy drugs...and so on.............
And, we know that we cannot help EVERYBODY who needs it. What is the answer?
Not long ago---just before I retired from full time employment---my boss came to work with me for two hectic days. I was a sales rep for an equipment manufacturer and I traveled heavily. I picked him up at the airport and we began our journey---a pounding drive that would take us to three states and seven sales calls.
We were scarcely on the highway when he reached over and picked up a little 1 1/2" high silver cross I keep in the storage area of my car, where it was intermingled with some loose change. He stared at it a second before flipping it back into the coinage.
"You believe that stuff?", he probed.
I paused a few seconds, trying to consider why he would ask such a question. I sensed that he was possibly struggling with his own faith.
"Yes", I answered. "Why do you ask?"
Now it was his turn to get in touch with his true self. "Well, I dunno......It just seems so far-fetched".
"What seems far-fetched?"
"Well....you know....all that Adam and Eve stuff and that Ark story and Jesus coming back to life.......You don't really believe that stuff really happened, do you?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Well.........there isn't any proof any of that happened."
"Look, Joe (I'll call him Joe)---What do you know about the Christian religion?"
"Well, my wife and I took our children to church for a few years---until they were teenagers, because we thought it would be good for them. But I am no expert on religion. I never could get past the fact that the bible seems to be just one big short story book and the stories are all like hocus pocus stuff that can't be verified or proven."
This conversation continued for the entire time we were together. It was obvious to me that the man was struggling with his faith. In short, if he couldn't see something with his own eyes or read a scientific investigation of it that proved its existence, he was unable to allow himself to believe.
I quietly did my best to point out that Christians "live by faith, not by sight", as the apostle Paul wrote (2 Corinthians 5:7). I made sure Joe understood what this meant...that if one truly believes, one will truly see. This was hard for Joe to grasp. I mentioned "faith" over and over, and we discussed what that word means.
The discussion was long and the discussion was pleasing to me. I know God put Joe in that car with me for two days because Joe was struggling with his faith, and God wanted me to help Joe.
I recall the last words I said to Joe upon returning home---the words of Jesus after he had returned to the disciples following the resurrection: "Blessed are those who have seen and believe. More blessed are those who have come to believe and have not seen." (John 20:29)
I only saw Joe one more time---a brief encounter right before my retirement. I do not know where Joe ended on his journey of seeking his faith. But I am thankful to God for giving me the chance to perhaps make a small difference to another pilgrim seeking salvation.
Francis Jane Crosby was born in New York in 1820. She was 16 years old when she saw the fall of the Alamo and Texas' rise to independence. Then, she saw that terrible period in American history known as the Civil War. Then, she saw the rise of America as a world power. And all of those wonderful inventions she saw---the automobile, the radio, the light bulb, the airplane.
But, oh...sadly, Francis Jane Crosby, better known to her adoring admirers as "Fanny", didn't really see any of that. She was blinded by a quack physician when she was just a toddler.
In later years, she would often remark that she was glad God had chosen to make her blind, because it helped her develop that talent that defined her. She began to show that talent at an early age, when, as a young schoolgirl, she wrote:
I loathe, abhor, it makes me sick,
To hear the word, arithmetic!
Fanny Crosby went on to become the most prolific of Christan hymn writers, penning over 8,000 Christian songs. Her most famous, of course, is "Blessed Assurance". Indeed, on her tombstone in Bridgeport, Connecticut are inscribed these words:
Blessed Assurance---Jesus is Mine!
Fanny Crosby died in 1915 at the age of 95. During her lifetime, she became one of the most famous Americans. She counted presidents of the U. S. and foreign leaders as her personal friends.
One of my favorite of her hymns is "Near the Cross". I hope you like it.
Jesus keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain,
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calvry's mountain.
Chorus:
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever.
'Til my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Near the cross a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me.
There, the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.
Chorus
Near the cross, oh Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me.
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadows o'er me.
Chorus
Near the cross I'll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
'TilI I reach that golden strand
Just beyond the river.
