For thirty five years, we have had a relationship with a couple that we first met way back during the first Gulf War in 1991. What started out as a business relationship morphed into a friendship that has endured through the years and still exists today. We remember the day that Tom and Cynthia’s daughters were born and even though we are separated by a continent, we have steadfastly maintained occasional greetings and updates with our respective families. The relationship has been a blessing to us, even if we aren’t next door neighbors.
As you already know, Janet has been struggling with back issues that resulted in surgery at the end of January. Tom has been dealing with some health issues as well and we all have been praying for one another – not only during this latest bump in the road, but throughout the years they have been in our petitions to the Lord.
We have been in touch with one another every several days and, invariably, we end up discussing progress, setbacks, treatment plans, family developments, successes, challenges and so much more. After the latest round of medical appointments for Janet and Tom, we actually had a call to share the latest news.
Of course, there are always things to pray for and Cynthia mentioned that “everybody has a list.” How right she is! No matter who we are, where we are, or how seemingly good life is, we all have a list of things that we would welcome help with. Sometimes, we hide those things from the public, and, on occasion, even from those closest to us.
Janet and I know people who have become intensely private about their affairs when challenges strike their families. It may be embarrassment, or fear, or an inability to confront the problems they are facing. Sometimes, in extreme cases, it may be a matter of pride. After all, don’t most of us want to have an idyllic life? At least we want it to appear that way to others. But once again, as Cynthia says, “everybody has a list…” Unfortunately, although we all tend to do it, we lose the power of prayer that could be offered by other believers on our behalf when we fail to be authentic and genuine in sharing our need for support, help and encouragement.
Now I know that this doesn’t seem to be natural… But Jesus, in His walk with each of us, is trying to teach us to adopt His ways. In seminary, we were taught that Jesus illustrates to us the “upside down kingdom.” In other words, Jesus does things in a different way than we do. But, as we progress in our walk the with Lord, we may be able to adopt some of the characteristics of the “upside down kingdom.” Nowhere in the Scripture is this more evident than in the teaching of the disciples in the section of Matthew referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. This is where Jesus starts to transform the disciples from a worldly view to a different kingdom perspective – the upside down kingdom.
These are challenging lessons – calling us to something better and more noble than we could accomplish on our own. Part of that journey includes a move toward more transparency, recognizing our own weaknesses and opportunities for seeking support and encouragement from each other. It’s important to realize that “everyone has a list.”
Our verse for tonight comes from the author of Hebrews. While many believe that this book was written by the apostle Paul, there continues to be scholarly debate about whether another first century believer penned these words. We are told, in Hebrews 10:23-24, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—“
My encouragement this evening is that to accomplish this goal, we must remain open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, vulnerable and engaged in authentic communion with one another. My prayer is that we will be ever more transparent, sharing “our list” with one another so that together we can strengthen the kingdom of God here on earth and strive to be ambassadors of the “upside down kingdom”.” Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…