Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward.
Thunderstorms come and soak the dirt and the wind blows and the sweet corn is laid out flat or nearly so. The soil softened by the rains does not give shallow rooted corn much anchor to support its tall stalk so down it topples and some roots are exposed. The gardener must go down each row, stand each stalk, pull the mud and dirt up around it and pack it in or lose his harvest. Tedious to say the least, uncomfortable with the hot sun turning the world into a steam bath, but if the corn is to survive, the work must be done now. Visions of hot buttered roasting ears motivate him to the unpleasant task.
I thought of the corn one morning after reading, “A bruised reed he will not break,and a smoldering wick he will not quench,until he brings justice to victory” (Mt 12:20). Though we are blown over and bruised by sin, Jesus straightens us and props us back up to bear meager fruit for his kingdom. His motive? We are the joy that was set before him that caused him to endure the cross...to bring many sons to glory (Heb 12:2, 2:10). Looking within myself, I find little that seems worth so great a price. For, not only did he die for us, he bears with us, gently building us up to be strong and faithful. It gives gratification and motivation to realize the ongoing investment God made for me.
So, then, how do I view the weak brother? The sin damaged visitor? The ever needy couple who probably do not have the capacity to get much better? “Have this mind in you which was in Christ Jesus”...Do we? Or, do we wish only to convert nice middle or working class stable people that fit in with the rest of us? I once was told in the men’s business meeting that I was bringing the wrong class of people to church. I was too shocked to reply and no one else seemed to object at all. I soon found myself to be the wrong class of preacher too. Those Christians were the most bruised reeds of all.
I can testify that working with sputtering lamps and bruised reeds is brutal, thankless labor. One cannot think of himself at all. His life and breath and thought must all be for the bruised one. Opinions are locked away with frustration and personal desires. Ever, always, Jesus only lived to repair us. How can we but do the same for others?
“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, AND IN MY FLESH I AM FILLING UP WHAT IS LACKING IN CHRIST'S AFFLICTIONS FOR THE SAKE OF HIS BODY, THAT IS, THE CHURCH, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. FOR THIS I TOIL, STRUGGLING WITH ALL HIS ENERGY THAT HE POWERFULLY WORKS WITHIN ME.” (Col 1:24-29).
Keith Ward
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