Jesus, on the other hand, offers so much more! He not only stands with us, comforts us, and supports us, but he has bridged the chasm that separated us from God. He didn’t do that for himself… he did it for us… he did it for you!
This week, the words to the contemporary Christian song 'I Have Been There' keep echoing in my head. I find this song by Mark Schultz to be very uplifting, so here’s the video… followed by the awesome lyrics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX20vnf5hH4
I Have Been There
By Mark Shultz
In a room without a view
A new mother smiles and holds the tiny fingers
Of her brand new baby girl
Her husband takes her by the hand
So unsure about the future and no money
Can they make it in this world
And they pray, Lord all we have to give is love
Then they heard a gentle voice
Like an echo from above
Oh I have been there
I know what fear is all about
Yes, I have been there
And I am standing with you now
I have been there
And I came to build a bridge oh so this road could
Lead you home
Oh I have been there
He'd been a pastor twenty years
But tonight he sits alone and brokenhearted
In the corner of the church
He's tried to change a fallen world
With his words and with his wisdom
But it seems like it is only getting worse
And he cries
Oh Lord I just don't understand
And then he felt the hand of grace,
And he heard a voice that said
I have been there
I know what pain is all about
Yes, I have been there
And I am standing with you now
I have been there
And I came to build to a bridge oh so
This road could lead you home
Oh I have been there
An older man up on a hill
Holding flowers but he can't hold back the tears
He has come to say goodbye
He thinks about the life she lived
Thinks about how hard it's been
To live without her
Sixty years right by his side
And he cries, Oh Lord I loved her
'til the end
Then he heard a gentle voice say you'll see her once again
I have been there
I know what sorrow is all about
Yes, I have been there
And I am standing with you now
I have been there
And I came to build a bridge
Oh so this road could lead her home
The road could lead her home
Oh I have been there
Well I overcame the cross
I have been there
So her life would not be lost
I have been there
And I came to build a bridge
Oh so this road could lead you home
The road could lead you home
Oh I have been there
Are you in pain? Are you frustrated or depressed? Are you grieving? Are you worried about the future? Messiah Lutheran Church in Yorba Linda is a fellowship in Christ full of folks who ‘have been there’. I invite you to come meet us. I guarantee that besides being welcomed into our fellowship, you will make connections with people that will change your life and lift you up. We are a people that proclaim on our fountain: “Love One Another.” Drop by the sanctuary on Saturday evening, or Sunday morning, stop by the office, or catch up with me in the parking lot.
Your brother in Christ,
Dave Hoag
Dave, as your brother in Christ, your partner in ministry, and your pastor I want to thank you for your faithfulness with this blog. Reading your many thoughtful and helpful entries is like sharing a good conversation with a friend. Your insights are helpful, your writing is clear, and your faith comes shining through. I also appreciate the pictures that you include. I hadn't heard the Super Bowl story before and I thought it was great. The very first theological thing that I ever wrote was when I was a senior in college and wrote an article about a book called The Theology of Hope. It introduced me to a word "proleptic" which means to experience the future in the present. In Christ we see the future. His victory is the victory we one day shall all experience. Thanks for the proleptic story! Blessings, Ron
ReplyDelete'Proleptic' is a new word for me. Experiencing the future in the present; isn't that something of what the Kingdom of God is on this earth? we find the joy of God as we delight in God as we look to the final joy of heaven, home. And in heaven, there is no 'time' to be divided into past, present, and future.
ReplyDeleteAs for what to say to someone, just being there and a hug is better than words; sometimes people who mean well say too much and it comes out wrong somehow. I know when Diehl died I appreciated everyone who came, held my hand, said they were sorry. I went to a funeral Thursday of a godly man in my church. It's a large church and I haven't known these people closely, but they are obviously dedicated, happy in the Lord. So I had just intended to say a simple "I'm sorry," the wife held on to me and asked me if it gets better, because she knew I watched Diehl suffer with cancer and pain as her husband had. "They're not suffering," she said. I didn't expect the question but what came out was, "Yes, I have found much joy." She knew I had been where she was right now, and with the help of God am continuing. I know that Jesus has suffered so much more than I, and he cares, and gives courage and strength, if I will only look to him, even if it is to say, "I cannot." Because *I* cannot, but He who lives in me can do all things. And I know the future, and the end, which is the true Home of the Christian.