Is He Worthy

I wept as the music filled our ears tonight:

Do you feel the world is broken?
(We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen?
(We do)
But do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through?
(We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new?
(We do)

“What if we answer ‘we don’t’?”, Annabelle asked.  I turned and looked at her, “some people do”.

My heart has been overwhelmed again by someone who has claimed to treasure Christ at one point in time but now denounces Him, the faith, and his wife of 20 years.  He’s another writer, pastor, and leader that casually says he repents of this repentive faith that he felt was legalistic and exclusive.  His life is on a different journey now and he does not see the world broken, shadows deepening, or a need of renewal.  He simply is sojourning on a path where he decides his own truth.

How do I process this news? “Mom, what’s wrong?”  “I’m sad.  Someone who once said they trusted in Christ now says they don’t.  How do we know what people believe guys?”  “By what they do.  They show it.”  “Yah. If you cry because you get caught what does that show me?”  “We care about ourselves.”  “Yes, what happens if you cry about lying, stealing, or hitting one another?”  “We are crying about our sin.”  “Yah, it shows that you are loving your neighbor more than yourself and are sorry for your sin.”  We have a lot of selfish crying in our home.  To be honest, all of us do it at some point or other.  We care more about getting our way, having control, or not getting caught than we do about truth or loving our neighbor.  Isn’t this what we have seen modeled so often lately, no matter what aspect of society we look to?  Everyone is yelling for themselves and their way or perspective, even me.  We care more about winning the argument and saving face that we can’t bear to say we may be wrong.  So we chose our way and walk away from truth.

There was quiet from the bathtub.  This never, NEVER happens.  “Are you OK up there?”  “Yah mom,” the twins reply.  I head up there anyway.  I smell Annabelle’s shampoo and conditioner like a pungent perfume.  “Why do I smell Annabelle’s shampoo guys?”  Silence.  Then from Lydia, “because you do.”  “Did you use it?”  I ask this as I see it dumped on her head.  “No.”  This may be humorous, but this particular day was filled with small moments of lies, lies, and d. lies.  I gave her a chance to tell the truth as we talked a lot about it this day. Nothing.  Her brother sold her out.  She showed me her heart by standing (sitting actually) for her lie.  She never said sorry.  I didn’t make her.  Faking character or repentance does nothing, it’s just another lie.

Is all creation groaning?
(It is)
Is a new creation coming?
(It is)
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst?
(It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this?
(It is)

Oh the cry of this sin cursed world and hearts.  Why are we surprised when people lie or don’t repent?  Our actions show how much we live for ourselves and could care less of others. What a dark reality.  Left to ourselves we will chose poorly most times.  We will choose self-protection every time.  But the lyric moves on…is there a new creation coming?  Is the Lord’s light still here?  It is. I need reminding of this.

Oh if the world knew about all the faithful pastors of small congregations that stay the course.  If they were aware of churches that serve one another joyfully by encouraging evidences of grace in each other and coming alongside to help correct sinful habits.  Not with hearts of self-righteousness, but hearts that desperately want their brothers and sisters to be restored!  These congregations don’t make the headlines.  Be encouraged that I have met hundreds of faithful Christians who have not denounced the faith, who trust in Christ, who serve one another generously, who help the poor and downtrodden.  I’ve met them in China, Ethiopia, Okinawa, Thailand, Tanzania, Puerto Rico, Kentucky, Rhode Island, and Virginia.  Some have worn Marine Corp, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Army uniforms.  They may never get headlines for their common, everyday, faithfulness on earth…but there is One who sees it.  One that was perfectly obedient, faithful, and trustworthy. He showed His trust even when he was mocked, spit on, and cursed.  He showed his faithfulness when society said he was apostate and He answered with the Word of God, not the words of men.  He died for the truth.  He was the Truth.  He rose again proving Truth wins.  He sees these faithful men and women who persevere to the end.

Is anyone worthy?
Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David’s root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

How will my kids know if He is worthy?  Will I show them with my actions.  Do I repent? Do I apologize?  Do I love them no matter what?  Do I tell them I was wrong?  Where do I get my truth?  Do I point them to scripture, to my own reasoning, or to what I feel is right?  Does God get the glory or do I?

Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory
Is He worthy of this?
He is

Does the Father truly love us?
(He does)
Does the Spirit move among us?
(He does)

“Why are you crying mom?” “Oh kids, I know my sin, it is great. But Jesus died for it.  I’m forgiven.  He is worthy!  Oh how I want that for you too.”

People will always disappoint.  They will show their true beliefs one way or another.  I pray that I will show my kids that I am not worthy, He is.