Sunday, February 25, 2024

What Elisabeth Elliot and I Peter are Teaching Me about Suffering

 I am sure many of you have heard the story of the slaying of the five missionary men in Ecuador in the 1950s by the fearsome Waorani tribe (the “Aucas,” as they were known to the surrounding tribes). Within one year of the missionaries’ deaths, Elisabeth Elliot, the wife of one of those five men, told their story in a book titled Through Gates of Splendor. She had decided to stay in Ecuador with her young daughter, still burdened for this violent tribe, and even had the opportunity after a few short years to live with the very people who had killed her husband. However, the time she spent with the Waorani people was marked with great challenges. She found herself struggling with the language, how to communicate the gospel, what expectations for life were biblical versus simply the American way of things, and mostly with her coworker in the tribe, Rachel Saint, the sister of one of the other missionary men killed that fateful day. Elliot and Saint both had strong personalities and saw things very differently. While it seems that Elliot wanted to find a way to work together, Saint had too many concerns about Elliot’s faith and decisions that she saw no way forward. After living with the tribe off and on for three years, Elliot decided it was time to leave the jungle. She struggled with this decision – living with this tribe was what she had prayed for. What was God doing? Could this really be part of His plan?

            In a letter to her mom during this time, she wrote, “I find that faith is more vigorously exercised when I can find no satisfying explanation for the way God does things. I have to hope, without any evidence seen, that things will come right in the end – not merely that we shall receive compensation, but that we and all creation will be redeemed. This means infinitely more than the good will eventually outweigh the evil” (quoted in Ellen Vaughn’s Becoming Elisabeth Elliot, chapter 34).

            When Elliot returned to the States, she struggled greatly with the easy pat answers that Christians would give to complex spiritual problems, as if they could know why God was doing what He was doing. Her novel No Graven Image about a single missionary lady in Ecuador shocked many Christians for it didn’t have a happy ending that tied up all the loose ends, but ended instead with a tragic death whereupon the missionary had to choose to trust God even without having her questions answered.

            In 1981, Elliot wrote a second epilogue for the 25th anniversary edition of her book Through Gates of Splendor. She wrote about the urge for Christians to “oversimplify issues, to weigh in at once with interpretations that cannot possibly cover all the data or stand up to close inspection.” She mentions that some say since five missionaries died, that must mean that x number of Aucas will be saved. In answer to this thought, she writes, “Perhaps so. Perhaps not. Cause and effect are in God’s hands. Is it not the part of faith simply to let them rest there? God is God. I dethrone Him in my heart if I demand that He act in ways that satisfy my idea of justice” (269). She points out that God didn’t answer Job’s questions either as they related to his suffering. With these final words, Elliot closes her epilogue: “It is not the level of our spirituality that we can depend on. It is God and nothing less than God, for the work is God’s and the call is God’s and everything is summoned by Him and to His purposes, the whole scene, the whole mess, the whole package... We are not always sure where the horizon is. We would not know ‘which end is up’ were it not for the shimmering pathway of light falling on the white sea. The One who laid earth’s foundations and settled its dimensions knows where the lines are drawn. He gives all the light we need for trust and obedience” (273).

            In my Sunday night bible study, we have been studying the book of 1 Peter. So much of this book deals with the topic of suffering. Peter wants the churches to know that suffering is a part of the Christian life, that it is not for nothing, and that in the midst of their trials, these believers must “entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” (1 Peter 4:19). And that one day, the suffering will be over, and that God, “who has called [them] to His eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish [them]” (5:10).

            So, dear sisters in Christ, when trials come our way, and we want to see the whys to make sense of it in our own minds, let us choose to leave those questions with God. And, as Elisabeth Elliot wrote so well, let us hope and believe, even when we can’t see any good that could come out of the suffering, that God will one day redeem it all for His glory. This is the message of Romans 8:28. He causes all things to work together for good. Let us trust Him.

           

--Amy O’Rear

            

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Mom

         The timing for it being my turn to post on Cup of Grace coincides with a major life event in our family: Friday my mom went to be with Jesus. She was ready to go, and while we were singing “Praise Him! Praise Him!” in church this morning, I was thinking what an amazing worship experience she must be having at that very moment. Every Sunday gathering of Earth’s Christians is a celebration of Christ’s resurrection, so can you imagine how adoration’s joy must soar beyond words when Heaven’s redeemed gaze on His dear face? May the Father soon send His Son, that we may know that unbounded joy together forever!
        It seems appropriate for this week’s blog that I should post a few poems regarding my mom. The first one I wrote to her as a Mother’s Day gift in 2016. The second one I wrote in 2019, on what would have been my dad’s 74th birthday. The last one I wrote just a couple weeks ago, when I was with my mom in the ICU – the night we knew her homegoing was imminent. May the truths contained in a few rhyming lines reach out and grab our souls, encouraging each of us to press on in our own race. Mom once told me, “Live every day like it’s your last. One day it will be.” Her last day was February 16, 2024. I don’t know when mine will be, but I pray that I will honor God all the way through, until I, too, see His face. Jesus is worth everything.
          -MaryBeth Hall  

          

Dawn

 “Her children arise up, and call her blessed…” – Prov. 31:28
 
I stepped outside the eighth of May
To cut some flowers for Mothers’ Day,
But stopped on steps and looked about,
For morning did its message shout.
 
The secrets of the clear bright dawn
Sang out to me a mother’s song,
And truths that I saw pictured there
I now write down with you to share.
 
As newly risen sun did shine
On all its pale orange rays did find,
I thought of tender smiles I’ve seen
From my mom, that gave light to me.
 
I heard the varied songs of birds
Who praise their Maker without words.
My mom’s sweet songs still fill my heart,
For she often sang as she moved about.
 
I saw the trees stand tall and straight.
I’ve seen them stay the same; it’s great
To know my mom still steady is
Through all life’s changes of that and this.
 
I felt the gentle breeze of spring
The refreshing coolness that it brings,
Like sweet encouragement to press on
That mom has brought when night was long.
 
I saw and smelled the flowers rare;
A delicate beauty beyond compare
Can only be likened to the touch and sight
Of Mama: when she’s near, all’s right.
 
I had to smile, for then I heard
A rooster calling to his world.
I thought of my mom waking us
Day after day, despite our fuss!
 
Last I wandered to the creek;
I expected busy bubbling to meet,
But in stillness it mirrored the trees above,
As my mom reflects the God she loves.
 
My mom would say she’s not so good,
But I say, she’s done all she could
To live for God and family,
To obey His Word so faithfully.
 
And if one day when my daughters are grown
These truths to them I will have shown
As “Mama” I will successful be.
The secret’s this: Jesus in me.
 
I send these words across the miles
To you, Mom, via e-mail files,
And all my love and hugs come, too.
Thank you for all you are and do!
 
 


 
The Rich Kids
 
“We will not hide them from their children,
telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD,
and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.
And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures…
Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold!
The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins
of gold and silver.” (Ps 78:4, II Tim. 3:15a, 119:127,72)
 
 
A-jingle and a-jangle, daily coins are spent,
As they turn into dollars of years.
We wonder what we did, and where the time went,
But the treasure of a lifetime outlives smiles and tears.
 
Just who are the rich kids in this crazy world?
Who are the ones possessing treasure unfurled?
What can I do to give true wealth to my kids –
Wealth that will steady them when life goes into skids?
 
I think back to my childhood; what really stands out?
It wasn’t a home where money ruled the day,
For my parents saw eternal things that never fade away.
They put a thirst for God in us that will always stay.
 
It wasn’t a home where they hurried away,
To escape little kids when “crazy” held sway.
We weren’t “in the way;” we were valued and loved,
And that freedom from fear was a gift from above.
 
God and His Word flowed in and out of our words
As easily and powerfully as the mightiest of swords.
His Truth was the Boss, Blessing, and Breath
Of an unfading Glory that conquers even death.
 
That is the wealth I desire to give
To my own children for as long as they live.
It steadies a soul as nothing else can,
For this is the wisdom of God’s holy plan.
 
Mom and Dad, thank you, for all you are and did:
A happy childhood and foundation for adulthood
Are worth more than gold to your five kids.
You gave us the best, and we’re so glad you did!
 
A-jingle and a-jangle, daily coins are spent,
As they turn into dollars of years.
We wonder what we did, and where the time went,
But the treasure of a lifetime outlives smiles and tears.
 
 
 

 
The Valley’s Edge
 
 Psalm 23:4
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me..."
 
I stand at valley's edge tonight
With loved one's hand in mine,
And know that though, try as I might,
To let go it is almost time.
 
Memories of days now past
Like whispers kiss my soul.
Truths we lived this life outlast;
They'll see you to your goal.
 
The Spirit, Son, and Father
Will change your faith to sight,
And He can never falter
Who carries you to Light.

At valley's edge we'll watch you go,
And we will trust Him, too;
You taught us how to love and know
The God Who means so much to you.

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Prayer Changes People

 

I awoke recently with lines of a children’s song running through my head, and my mind went back to the summer of 1976 when I was a college student in West Virginia. That summer, between my sophomore and junior years at Concord College, I spend several weeks in ministry with Child Evangelism Fellowship. That year of 1976 was one of great spiritual growth for me, and my time with CEF was a large part of my development.

When we teach, we ourselves often learn so much more than the students. As I sang “Did You Ever Talk to God Above?” over and over that summer—in backyards, on porches, and in driveways—I internalized wonderful truths about God’s goodness and power.

The story that accompanies the song is of a little boy who is afraid of horses, unlike his brothers and friends who enjoy riding. One day, he has to ride a horse to summon help.  He is able to overcome his fear by remembering Psalm 56:3—What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. As he rides the horse over roads and hills, he prays for God’s help and encouragement.

The illustrations for the visualized song are eye-catching, and the tune is completely engaging. The best part of the song, of course, is the lesson it teaches—actually the many lessons. I want to think about the one highlighted in the last verse that says this:

          Find the answer in his word; it’s true.
          You’ll be strong because he walks with you.
          By this faithfulness, he’ll change you, too.
          God answers prayer.

My mom used to have a license plate on the front of her car that said, “Prayer Changes Things.” My dad insisted that this statement was wrong. “Prayer,” he said, “changes people.” When we meet with God to seek his will, we really are changed. We think about his goodness, how power, and his wisdom. We acknowledge that he is the only one who can help us, and we return—or should—to thank him and praise him for answers. I want to add that God’s word also changes people. Like the little boy in the story, we find in the Bible courage to move forward and guidance about what is right. That seeking and obeying changes us.

That summer of ’76 was an important one for me. By the next summer, I was engaged, and Larry and I married in August. We have had a wonderful life together, but no life is without struggles and hard decisions. I’m thankful that God is still using the simple and profound truths from my CEF training to help me in 2024!

 Here's the whole song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2Mdu

--Sherry Poff

Sunday, February 4, 2024

In Time With God's Time

 I visited my dad in the ICU a few weeks ago. I flew up to Boston to be with my mom during this extremely challenging rollercoaster of a time.

While we were in the waiting room, once again, my mom commented on how much waiting was involved in these circumstances.

Waiting for the nurse to finish her procedure so we could go sit with him.

Waiting for traffic on the hour-long drive into Boston each day.

Waiting for another call bringing good news, bad news, no news.

Waiting for the test results, a change, answers.

 It’s ironic this topic came up in such a vivid way, as in weeks prior to my visit, God had already been pressing the idea of waiting upon my heart.

 As a church, we know what it is like to wait, long term, for something big. We have been waiting on God’s timing for years now, in anticipation of reconstruction, a new building.

 As humans we wait all the time in such ordinary ways:

Waiting for the water to boil.

Waiting through carline to pick up the kids from school.

Waiting in the grocery line or on hold with customer service.

Waiting to hear about a new job, a new grandbaby.

 It so often feels painful, boring, frustrating. What is so interesting is that the practice of waiting is such a biblical calling, a fully Christian practice. It is a discipline God calls His people to throughout history. In fact, major themes of the Bible are dedicated to waiting. The “already, not yet” concept.

 Quickly coming to mind is Israel waiting in the wilderness. Sarah waiting for a child. Simeon and all of God’s people waiting for their promised Savior. The disciples, in those 3 dark days after Jesus’ death, waiting and wondering what was next. Waiting now for Christ’s return.

 As I think through all of those “already” times in the Bible, I am reminded that in every single circumstance, God delivered. He provided in the wilderness. He gave the child. He sent Jesus to save His people. He rose from the dead.

 And He IS coming again.

 God’s time is not our time. When Adam and Eve were in the garden they worked and walked WITH him, living in God’s time, with God’s time… until the fall.

 Then time bent away from eternity and into a narrow tunnel vision of our own lives, wants, desires, needs, pleasures. We fight against the wait, the interruptions of our own time. We rail against our own selfishness, fear and impatience that come in the moments and seasons of our waiting.

 God answers with “not yet.” He calls those who wait for Him “blessed” in Isaiah 30:18. And as He has shown time and time and time again, He will deliver, provide, give, answer and come again.

 May you and I trust God in our waiting, see good in our waiting, and lean heavily on the promises of God’s faithfulness and timing.

 

--Sandy Gromacki