Giving Thanks in the Midst of Adversity

With Thanksgivingaround the corner many families will gather to share food, fellowship and fun. It is a time where we as Christians give thanks for all the Lord has done in our lives. But is it possible to give thanks when we have just gone through a great tragedy? What if we are so discouraged by current events that have little to offer but brokenness? Can we be expected to give thanks?

The Bible is not silent on this issue. Throughout the Psalms we see grief-stricken men pour out their confusion to God in the midst of adversity. David proclaimed "My God, My God, why have you foresaken me...O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest." He later laments "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?" But with the exception of Psalm 88 the Psalmist always comes back to this great truth..."Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you."

The answer is yes we can rejoice and give thanks, not about our circumstances but because of our God. While there are mamy Psalms that begin with lament most all end in praise. After the Psalmist has poured out his heart to God, he gives thanks and remains comforted that he is assured of God's ultimate justice, mercy and steadfast love. Giving thanks is a sign of maturity and a life that is so totally satisfied in the ultimate goodness of God that it oozes with gratitude. Listen to Psalm 103...


As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.

God knows our human frailty and seeks to give us great comfort and peace in the midst of adversity. While evil persists we take confidence that God is wise and good and his ways are certainly higher than ours. His plans although sometimes confusing to mere mortals have benefit that we cannot fathom while in the midst of pain. Nonetheless through the pain and anguish life brings us we can rejoice and give thanks for God ultimately will wipe away every tear and pain that hurts so bad. We give thanks because He alone is our provision and satisfaction. We give thanks because He has redeemed us and will sustain us through all life's difficulties.

JW

Life's Tragedies

My heart is overwhelmed with sorrow and grief as trajedy has struck home today. Many of you know I am the head coach of the varsity girls basketball team at Restoration Academy. One of my girls lost her mother today due to senseless violence. She was only 32 and left a 14 year old daughter and a 11 year old son.

When I found out the news I was immediately burdened to pray and seek God for wisdom, comfort and peace. While God has certainly given these to me I still remain grief stricken for the children who will be without their mother. During my morning meeting a gentleman asked me how I would handle ministering to my team and the young woman who lost her mom. My reply was "brokenness". I simply don't have the right words to say at this moment. All I can do is weep and mourn along side of her.

I know in time God will give me the wisdom to speak words of grace and love. I know God is sovereign over all things and somehow, some way will use this for his glory. I know that the word of God speaks into this situation and I could turn to many passages that comfort us in times of severe struggles and pain. I know that God will give us the needed grace. I know that God will use this draw us closer to Him. But for now I am broken. Absolutely broken over the visible manifestation of what sin brings and that's death.

Lord how I pray for her and our team. Would you be pleased to reveal to us your glory in the midst of our despair for we are a needy people. Lord would you be pleased to comfort us and turn this tragic event into triumph that many would come to know you as Lord of Lords, the Prince of peace.

JW

Life "In the Hill"

I had the privilege of visiting New Haven, CT this past weekend, specifically a neighborhood called "the Hill". I was visiting one of my good friend Tolivar Wills church plant to preach the Word and was encouraged and convicted of how I engage in urban ministry. Seeing his asset based approached was invigorating. Instead of starting a church plant with a core group of folks he simply began building relationships in the community through a soccer camp. The camp allowed him to get to know residents in the community and over time he empowered them by allowing them to lead and make decisions for what the neighborhood really needed.


Instead of creating a bunch of programs and using outside manpower he built relationships by humbling himself and taking on the role of learner. One of the initiatives the community residents pushed was a clothing co-op where they sell donated clothes on the corner in the neighborhood. Seeing the excitement on the faces of the residents as they negotiated and ran the business was infectious. I experienced what it looks like when outsiders come in and defer to the community to make the key decisions in ministry efforts. The store provided jobs for the residents to affirm their dignity and resources for the community at an affordable price, plus allowed them the opportunity to promote the church and build relationships.


The next day I witnessed a perfectly arranged worship service not set up by outsiders but by one of the members of the community. It was so inspiring to see residents take ownership of a ministry apart from others giving marching orders.


You might ask why doesn't everyone seek assets in the neighborhood they wish to reach? Why do we simply bring in outsiders with a better education and managerial skills? Because we are seeking a quick fix...But when you do that you destroy the initiative of the very people you are seeking to empower. I must repent that many of my urban outreach efforts are driven by middle and upper class people wishing to help. By having a needs based ministry outsiders examine the problems and come up with solutions. While we may be right in our assessment of the issues we have overlooked the need to allow the community to speak up and take propriety. We want immediate results and in doing so further mar peoples self image and dignity all the while attempting to help. I have much to learn and am grateful for men like Tolivar who seek a true and lasting change brought about by the very visionaries of the neighborhood not outsiders who think they have all the answers...Lord forgive me...


JW