Friday, May 8, 2009

May 8, 2009

Donald Gray Barnhouse was a well-respected preacher of the mid-20th Century. His young wife died very unexpectantly, leaving him with two little girls. In addition to trying to cope with his own grief he had to find a way to explain it to his girls. On the day of her funeral he was driving to the church with his daughters. They pulled up to a red light in their car. While they were sitting there a big cargo truck pulled up next to them and casted a shadow over them. In that moment a God-given thought flashed across his consciousness. "Girls," he said breaking the silence, "Let me ask you something." "What, Daddy?" his oldest responded. "Would you rather be hit by that truck, or by its shadow?" "That's easy, Daddy! The shadow!" "Good answer! Me, too! And that is what happened to Mommy. She was only hit by the shadow of death - because Jesus got hit by the truck!"
Working with the family of Lawrence Berry this week, it was obvious that they felt like a truck had hit them. No one was expecting to lose this wonderful man anytime soon. He loved so well and was loved so strongly that his passing was a devastating and unexpected loss. How can you bring them hope and comfort in the shadow of his death?
I watched as the endless procession of family members, church family and friends came through to express their sympathy and condolences. With every hug the impact of death seemed to soften a bit and the shadow lifted ever so slightly. As the minutes passed into hours I saw faith take hold and hope return. I witnessed the amazing power of community. These people came together to absorb the impact of Larry's sudden death. Because these were people of faith, people for whom Jesus had been willing to take the full impact of sin and death, they brought the light of hope and truth against the shadow of death. It was a blessing to behold. We may live in the shadow of death, but we live in the light of God's truth and grace!
I remembered a message preached by TV preacher Robert Schuller. He was talking about the 23rd Psalm:
"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
His theme was, "When the Lord is your Shepherd, the future is your friend." It is hard to argue with that. Especially after what I observed over the past few days.