Short Devotion: Crying - Revelation 21v4

 

Revelation 21:4 God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (NIV)

 My best friend in ministry – Judd Shaw – was killed in a car accident this week. I was totally shocked when I heard this tragic news and couldn’t stop weeping. He was one of the best ministers I have ever known and he had a great gift of positively encouraging everyone that he encountered. I always enjoyed his company whether at Presbytery, at church, online or at ball games. One of my fondest memories of Judd was at a Lady Vols game when we were graciously given tickets to sit at court level. He was absolutely thrilled to be there and loved being so close to the players. In my mind, I still picture him laughing and smiling all the way through the game.

 I must admit, I was angry with God when I heard the news. I kept wailing at God asking, “Why did this happen to such a good person? Why him and not me?” It just felt so unfair and it broke my heart. The same thing happened thirty years ago when my best friend in Scotland died in a car crash. I couldn’t understand it then and don’t understand it now. The pain of tragic loss is so unbearable at times, more so, I think, for folks with faith.

 In the end, I rely on God’s promises, even when things are so raw. God tells us that one day death will be no more and that He will wipe away all tears from our eyes which I take to mean that all the hurt I feel today will be gone in eternity.

 Perhaps you’ve lost a loved one recently or have never gotten over the death of someone close to you, even though it may have occurred years ago. I hope that one day your hurt will be healed and that love will return to your heart. This is what I hold on to from God.

 Prayer: Father God, life is hard especially when we suddenly lose people that we love. The hurt is so painful and our loss is difficult to bear. Please be with us when we are overwhelmed with grief and deeply wounded because we have loved deeply. May Your comfort sustain us and Your promises give us hope. In Christ’s Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

 John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to see what’s happening at the church, just click on this link: www.erinpres.org.

 Today’s image is one of John’s Celtic Cross drawings. If you would like to view a larger version, click on this link: Cross.

July 31 devotion - What is Church?

Revelation 21:22         I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

            Today’s verse reminds me that the beautiful church building where I minister is not the actual church, nor is it the real center and focus of worship. The people who gather for worship, study, prayer, and mission are the church, and the focus of our praise is Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God. The building serves as a meeting place, a learning center, and a sacred sanctuary. It is holy ground where God's people can gather, but it is not the centerpiece of our worship of God. That esteemed place belongs solely to Jesus, which is why we are called Christians and not Churchians.

            Please don't get me wrong; I love the church building and I am delighted about all of the renovation and expansion that has been accomplished over the last couple of years. It is a safe place for souls and a haven for many people. It serves as a focal point, a gathering place, and a house of meditation for lots of people, including me. Whether I am working quietly in my office, or participating in a room full of elders, or sitting quietly in the sanctuary, this church building is very meaningful to me. But again, it is not the object of my beliefs, worship, or relationship with God. Only Jesus has that place in my life; only He is at the center of my being.

            When we all get to Heaven, perhaps initially we’re going to miss seeing churches, hearing church bells, or meeting in church sanctuaries. However, I believe it will quickly dawn on us that Christ is our meeting place, our encountering point, and our real destination. We won’t need temples to contain Him, or churches to welcome Him. His abiding presence will be all that we will ever need and we will serve Him eternally, which why we go to church in the first place - to worship Christ and enjoy Him forever.

Question for personal reflection

Why do I go to church? How do I become church?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are our everything. You are at the center of our faith and in the fullness of our hearts. We worship You alone and seek to serve You faithfully. You are the reason why we believe in God, and You are the One to whom we owe our lives. Thank You for being our Savior and for allowing us to serve, worship, and follow You in many different ways. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome :)

Today’s image is one of John’s drawings of Christ. It’s called ‘Jesus Weeps’ and reflects the sad state of our world today. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: Jesus Weeps.