Though taught well all my life of God and His Son, I was close to thirty years old when the truth of the cross penetrated my heart with its power. “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.”(John 12:32) He has drawn all men! The sin of every man hung with Jesus on the cross. The Lamb of God was sacrificed for us all. “He died for all mankind” can keep guilt at a distance, but “my sin put Him there” brings personal grief. Who does not want to repent when such realization comes? When we see the love of the Father and Son, we have little desire to continue in sin and rebellion, but my problem was that the power of sin was greater than my power to resist. Out of my own strength, I had no success. The harder I tried to follow God’s ways, the worse I seemed to be. But another truth of the cross set me free: “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.”(Romans 6:6-7)
To believe what God has done through Christ brings new life. The old is gone; the new has come. We are not the same. But a journey lies before all God’s children and great is the temptation to put things out of order. Few talk of idols these days, but they still exist. The most loved apostle’s last words in I John give a warning to all: “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” A God who gives us choice, patiently asks, “Will you put all else aside and seek Me only?” When we answer, “Yes, Lord” another renewal comes. Stepping out of the boat… launching into the deep… walking by faith…freedom in Christ… life in the Spirit… friendship with Jesus… relationship with the Father… fellowship in the Body… such are the experiences and blessings of God’s children.
We know God desires to change us into the image of His Son, so I was a bit intrigued in April of 2000 when a visiting minister from India shared a strange message over the phone with Susan while I was out of town. “I had a dream about your husband last night. I believe God was saying that in four months Dana will be a changed man.” Four months later, the doctor uttered words that change any man or woman: “You have cancer.” Again I thank so many of you who prayed for me and served my family during difficult times. And I thank God who has given me health and precious time. I know I have learned much, but at the close of a year, I confess I am in need. The boldness I had when I was weak has faded a bit. The urgency of “God’s priorities”, knowing time is short, has lessened. The “fire” stirred up in the place of danger has cooled. Clarity has become a little hazy. Of all people, I have no excuse to be passionless or fearful or lukewarm or smothered by a world that tends to lull us to sleep.
So, what is my need? Not sickness, I pray. Not a re-doubling of effort. Not a pep talk from friends. I need the Mighty One who died on the cross and rose in victory to show me the way. He found me when I was lost. He humbled me when I was proud. He freed me when I was bound. He raised me when I was sick. He taught me when I was weak. He is what I need this year. I want Him to teach me to love as He does. I want Him to teach me to pray with confidence and faith. I want Him to show me how to stand in His holy armor against all the strategies of the evil one. I want Him to show me how to live day by day as a husband and a father and a teacher and a neighbor. I want Him to keep the cross ever before me and the world far behind me so that, in some way, I might bring Him glory. I want His zeal, His boldness, His wisdom, His compassion, His heart, and His Spirit. “Renew me, O Lord.”
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31