Letters From the Field: Lenten Letter No.6

Letters From the Field
Monday, March 17, 2008: Lenten Letter No.6

Everything Is Waiting For You

So, now we approach the end of the period called Lent.

I have a question for you: Does “Lent” ever really end? In one sense, I hope not.

For the past six weeks, I have been trying to let go of the fear of revealing my inner self. At first, all I could think of as my “inner self” was that “old man” that Paul referred to in Ephesians 4:22. That is, that sinful nature that all of us have to battle.

However, I began to recall that God has begun to build a new nature in me. Instead of dwelling on guilt, sin, and death, I am reminding myself that I have been invited to partake of “the divine nature” (2Pet. 1:4). Now if this actually means what it says, there is nothing short of a complete transformation underway. God is actually in the process of making me into a literal Child of His! My distinct, unique personality is being changed and made pure for all eternity. I am being changed from flesh to spirit, from human to divine (Philippians 3:21 and 1Jn. 3:2)!

What bold claims! What an amazing promise!

With the promises, however, comes a great and shocking price: the transforming Work of God must, will, claim my life.

When I was a kid, the country singer Loretta Lynn sang a song: “Everybody wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die.
Lord, I want to go to heaven, but I don’t wanna die!”

How true!

It has been written that Death is the “last enemy” (1Cor. 15:26). It goes without saying that most humans fear death more than anything else. Still, a person of true faith must face that enemy and pay that price---figuratively and literally. The supreme reward must cost the supreme sacrifice.

Abraham Lincoln said that the best way to conquer an enemy is to make him your friend. Seems a shocking if not bizarre notion doesn’t it, this business of making death a “friend” in order to overcome it. Somewhere in one of our hymnals (I haven’t the time to locate it at this writing.), this very idea is touchingly stated. It takes faith to accept the idea that death, instead of cutting us off from life, actually makes certain that we will receive it. The grave may put an end to pleasurable activity, but it also put an end to sin. Those who “die in the faith” have their character locked in. “Precious in the sight of God is the death of His saints.” (Ps. 116: 15). We have to trust the Creator to raise us up.

How can I trust Him? When I look back on my life and count the many promises God has made and kept, I have all the evidence I need to prove He won’t leave me in the darkness of death and oblivion. I can go forward, paying the cost. I can be sure I will receive the promise. This is not blind faith; this is walking forward with my light-filled eyes wide open. “I know that my Redeemer liveth!”

Throughout history, we know of people who have died for what they believed in. Let me borrow a few words from “America the Beautiful”:

O beautiful for heroes proved/in liberating strife
Who more than self their country loved/and mercy
More than life…

Now if these brave souls died for countries that are fading, (The Kingdom we seek will replace all others and is eternal) can we not also “die daily” in hope, trusting our sacrifice is not in vain? Certainly, the above quote is an apt description of those who have devoted themselves to the Way that the Gospel promotes!

Throughout the teaching of Jesus, the concept of sacrifice---the giving up of comforts---is a recurring theme. As grievous as this may seem at first, the act of sacrifice should be seen as an exercise of great power: we have and are using an earth-shaking confidence; we know we will win! Each time we practice our faith we tell the world, and all “principalities and powers”, “We are sure we cannot be disappointed. WE TRUST IN THE PRINCIPLES WE PRACTICE. Therefore, we will not be stopped; your doubts and threats are useless.”

Each act of faith is a bold paying of the price. Each act of faith moves us closer to our goal. The more we let go of things which we thought would give us comfort, and cast off from familiar shores, the closer we come to the Light. The farther we go out to sea, the greater the warmth of the sun grows…

Once, when I was struggling with doubts about my self-worth, these words came to me:

Virtue and Victory comes to those who
Confess and conquer their weakness and fear.

Those who “seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness” have heard the call and accepted the Invitation. Drawing closer to Jesus, we learn more and more about what God and his love are all about there is less and less room for irrational fear in our lives.

I am glad I accepted the challenge of facing my fear. I have certainly come to a greater understanding and acceptance of the assertion “With God, all things are possible.”

Everything is waiting for you. (Romans 8:19.)

Peace to you all,
W. Arthur Herring, Jr.

P. S. I am sending a poem called “Everything Is Waiting For You”, by David Whyte. I think you’ll find it inspiring. Selah (Pause and think on this.)