Dead

Joshua 1:2

          We have so many ways of saying that someone is dead without saying that they are dead. We speak about someone “passing” as though they were a carton of milk past its expiration date. We say they have “gone” as though they were down at the corner store picking up a couple of forgotten items. People go to be with the LORD, aren’t here anymore, pass away, go fishing, cash in their chips, go home, depart, get called home, leave this world, lose the battle, and slip away. Each of these and many more are intended to ease the pain and hide the reality. The person is dead. If you want to read more, look here.

          The problem with these kinds of phrases is that they aren’t helpful to the grieving family. They know they are dead. They know they aren’t expired. The truth hurts less than confusion. The straight forward truth helps with the grieving process. It removes questions. It settles the issue. Words can hide the reality, and when death happens, reality is what people need in order to make it through.

          As leadership changes in the fledgling nation of Israel, truth is of primary importance. Their beloved leader is dead. Moses has completed his work and won’t get the opportunity to walk into the Promised Land himself. This is due to his disobedience.

          But Joshua still feels inadequate. How do I know this? The has to repeatedly reassure him, telling him to be strong and courageous. But he also needs to know in no uncertain terms that the old leadership is gone. He doesn’t have Moses to turn to now. He must step up, be the leader the LORD has called him to be, and draw on the strength his relationship with the LORD will provide.

          The harsh reality of Moses’ death is put right on the table, right up front. And this confirmation of Moses’ death also serves to tie this book with the previous book in the Scriptures. Deuteronomy ended with Moses’ death. The book of Joshua begins right were Deuteronomy ended. Moses is dead.

          Many transitions in life happen abruptly, suddenly. Moses’ death was expected. The LORD had told them that he would die, that he would not enter the Promised Land. All the more reason to tell the truth of death in a straight forward manner. There can be no wiggle room for alternative meanings. And it is these alternative meanings that perhaps soften the blow, but they can leave the person wondering if the death is true.

          When the military show up at a family’s door with the bad news that a loved one is dead, they are very straight forward. They tell them that their soldier is dead. Often we say they died in combat. They always tell the truth even when they don’t yet know the details. Dead is dead. The family will wonder about the details, but they must not be left hanging about the reality of the death. There are too many decisions to be made that require that they know the reality.

          We all need people who will tell us the truth, even when it hurts. But the truth spoken that these moments, spoken without ambiguity, is the kindness thing that can be done.

Scream

Mark 6:49-50

      I hope I always scream when I see a ghost! I don’t ever want to get used to seeing things that are not of this world. I have no idea if ghosts exist, or if they are demonic manifestations to deceive those who don’t have a strong faith. I just don’t know. Not much is said in Scripture about ghosts. Just because someone labels an experience as something does not mean that their label is true, even in Scripture. Even human error is recorded in Scripture.

      So here are the disciples rowing across a lake in the middle of the night in a strong wind. And they see something approaching them, walking on the water. What you would say it is if you were in their shoes? You haven’t seen anyone walking on water before, have you? So what would you label the thing approaching?

      Our modern culture has embraced the idea of ghosts and spirits who show up and talk to people. It is part of the accepted theology of our day, imported from other religions and especially the third world cultic spiritualities. And since in our culture every belief system has equal value regardless of its ability to actually explain reality, it is accepted without question. No matter how out of touch with reality it is, it can be accepted. So if you believe the world sits on the back of a giant elephant, go ahead and believe it.

      So the disciples get terrified when they see this figure approaching. Fortunately for them, it is Jesus. And Jesus responds to their fear by speaking a few simple words that get right to the heart of the matter. He doesn’t waste time speaking about the absurdity of ghosts, taking that moment to delve into the theological basis for not believing in ghosts. No! He speaks to their hearts, their need for reassurance.

      He starts by speaking to their lack of courage. They must have been cowering, paralyzed by their fear. He tells them to fill up their lack of courage with His courage. They are on empty in the courage department. He has plenty to spare. He is passing along His courage to them. When you are this afraid, it can be hard to do anything. And what could they do if a ghost was approaching them walking on water in the middle of the night while they are losing the battle with the wind? Ghostbusters weren’t around, so there was no one to call!

      Then Jesus tells them it is He. When Jesus is on the scene, is there any reason to be afraid? I would hope not. For those of us who know Him, His presence brings the exact opposite of fear, peace. At least if we have settled accounts with Him, confessed and kept a clean slate. Unconfessed sin can cause fear to rise in us, often fear of disappointment and regrets. But Jesus tells them it is He, not a ghost.

      And then Jesus tells them to stop fearing. It is almost as if they still haven’t heard His first words, to take courage. His first command was for them to fill up on courage, moment by moment. His second command was for them to not allow fear to dominate their present. These words should be familiar to the disciples, both from the Old Testament and directly from Jesus’ mouth. It seems as if fear is something that is a very common human experience.

      But we often repeat the most important messages multiple times when we want to make sure someone receives our communication. How many times have we said “I love you” to that someone special? I hope more than once! And I hope more than once in a single session. I think Jesus wanted His disciples, and wants us to put fear behind us. When He is present, there is no reason to fear. Even death has lost its dread.

The Land of a Thousand Excuses

Proverbs 15:19

      Do you know some folks who always have an excuse for everything? Maybe they have really bad luck, but often they are just lazy. They get in the habit of avoiding any movement at all by complaining about the difficulties they encounter along the way. First there was this problem, then this other problem popped up. They never have a clear path.

      And then there are other people traveling the same road, but they seem to avoid all the pitfalls. They sail right along. They get so much more accomplished. They become successful.

      Are thorns really able to hold someone back, keeping them from continuing their journey? Can’t you push your way through them? You may get some scratches in the process, pain that accompanies the journey, but in the end, thorns can’t prevent you from continuing. You could also go around, perhaps taking a detour, expending a little more energy and time, but still arrive at your destination.

      If you really want to get somewhere, you can find a way. Being familiar with the military, I know how to do Land Navigation. You are given a series of points on a map, given a compass and map protractor and told to find all the points, write down the specific ID for each point, and return to the starting place in a specific timeframe.

      Here in Georgia, land navigation can be especially difficult. This time of year the thorns are full grown, the swamps still have water in them, and it is HOT. It can be easy to see the points on the map and get discouraged as you pull yourself out of another tangle. And all the while the clock continues to tick. Every soldier in the military must learn how to do this. It is one of the most basic soldier skills.

      The best way to find the points is not to take a straight line between each one, but rather to find the points on the map and then use the roads to get as close to possible to those points before entering the think woods. You avoid many of the difficulties of the journey this way. But it requires thinking and planning in order for this to work.

      Next time you encounter a few thorns, push through, go around, but continue moving. It can be almost impossible to get moving once you stop. Discouragement can make your feet feel like lead.