UNFINISHED LIFE ENDS ON A SNOWY STREET CORNER
There is a tradition in the city that attempts to give honor to fallen friends. Guys that are murdered get their names placed on street corners with an assortment of worldly trappings. Teddy bears, candles, final farewell letters, whiskey bottles and drug paraphernalia. A vigil is held and usually a Pastor is invited to provide some sense of the senseless violence and a connection to God. On a street corner in the snow, an unfinished life is remembered as a murder victim.
After the Pastor is gone, they break out the weed and the brew. Another young unfinished life bites the dust, and life goes on. After more than 15 years of street ministry, I'm sad that it still happens. I hurt for guys who are dead or in jail. Wasted lives, unfinished lives, wasted potential; it almost seems like love was never known in a murdered young man.
On the first day of this 21 Day Fast, God gave me a two dreams. Both included burning buildings. In the first one, a barn that I used to own was on fire and many young people whom I had known were climbing out of the roof that ws engulfed in flames. I felt sad and disappointed. Why couldn't I reach them to save them. They made wrong choices, but I still felt bad. In the second dream, I was holding a fire extinguisher and easily putting out small fires on ceiling fixtures in what appeared to be a large warehouse type of building.
I believe God has given me some insight as to the meaning of the dreams and will eventually give me clarity. What is unfinished in your life? If you were to die today, what would be left behind that should be finished?
After the Pastor is gone, they break out the weed and the brew. Another young unfinished life bites the dust, and life goes on. After more than 15 years of street ministry, I'm sad that it still happens. I hurt for guys who are dead or in jail. Wasted lives, unfinished lives, wasted potential; it almost seems like love was never known in a murdered young man.
On the first day of this 21 Day Fast, God gave me a two dreams. Both included burning buildings. In the first one, a barn that I used to own was on fire and many young people whom I had known were climbing out of the roof that ws engulfed in flames. I felt sad and disappointed. Why couldn't I reach them to save them. They made wrong choices, but I still felt bad. In the second dream, I was holding a fire extinguisher and easily putting out small fires on ceiling fixtures in what appeared to be a large warehouse type of building.
I believe God has given me some insight as to the meaning of the dreams and will eventually give me clarity. What is unfinished in your life? If you were to die today, what would be left behind that should be finished?
DAY TEN WORD
Psalm 104:4 "He makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire."
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.
Psalm 146:4 "When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish."
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 The Message
Seize Life!
"Still, anyone selected out for life has hope, for, as they say, “A living dog is better than a dead lion.” The living at least know something, even if it’s only that they’re going to die. But the dead know nothing and get nothing. They’re a minus that no one remembers. Their loves, their hates, yes, even their dreams, are long gone. There’s not a trace of them left in the affairs of this earth."
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.
Psalm 146:4 "When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish."
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 The Message
Seize Life!
"Still, anyone selected out for life has hope, for, as they say, “A living dog is better than a dead lion.” The living at least know something, even if it’s only that they’re going to die. But the dead know nothing and get nothing. They’re a minus that no one remembers. Their loves, their hates, yes, even their dreams, are long gone. There’s not a trace of them left in the affairs of this earth."
DAY TEN PRAYER
Yahweh, You are a merciful God who is slow to anger. You are the God of second chances who tell us to forgive our neighbors 70 X 7. You hate violence against the innocent. Even though we are all guilty of sin, you have saved us by the sacrifice of Jesus who paid for our wrongs. Lord, the wrongs continue. How long O Lord before Your Word reaches to the ends of the earth? You desire that none should perish. Why do young people have to perish? What more can we do to help them feel the overwhelming grace and mercy of Your love? We trust in You. Amen.
DAY TEN DEEP THOUGHTS
"It is finished" aren't words we usually use to describe the death of someone we love. "It is unfinished" would be more accurate. The suddenlies of unexpected death break our hearts in the blink of an eye. Nobody is ready for the unexpected. We're left screaming from somewhere deep inside: "Wait! This can't be happening! We aren't finished with life yet!" Instead of feeling like something has been finished, we're left with the taste of bitter wine.
"It is finished." Those words seem fine for Jesus, but they don't seem to provide any understanding for the rest of us. Maybe they are words for a yet appointed time, but that's of little comfort in this moment. Someday, most likely in heaven, all things that worked together for good will be understood. Until then there is only hope in the future.
"It is finished." Some people carry a greater brokenness than others. They come from a lineage of brokenness. That's a Christ-like legacy. The greater the brokenness, the greater the potential for a greater capacity to love. The greatest leaders in God's kingdom are those who have suffered the most. They have learned to love mercy, treat others with compassion and walk humbly.
"It is finished" are words of wisdom that provide understanding for the last who will become first. Enduring pain is the perseverance root that grows into compassion. Your pain is a seed that will take several painful seasons to germinate. I'm asking Jesus right now to kneel before you as He holds your hearts in His hands. I pray that he whispers to your hearts, "I'm holding you and I won't let you sink any deeper. My love is sufficient for you. Someday you'll understand, but for now, just believe that I feel all your pain and you are not alone."
"It is finished." I don't believe those are the words that Jesus would have preferred for His "end of life" script. The day before His death, He asked God to take away the cup of suffering, but then He added, "Not my will, but Your will be done." There are many times in life that we would gladly take away the cup of suffering from someone we love or even a stranger. God doesn't work that way, He gives a crown of beauty for ashes. He let's the sun set before He allows the sun to rise.
"It is finished." Those words seem fine for Jesus, but they don't seem to provide any understanding for the rest of us. Maybe they are words for a yet appointed time, but that's of little comfort in this moment. Someday, most likely in heaven, all things that worked together for good will be understood. Until then there is only hope in the future.
"It is finished." Some people carry a greater brokenness than others. They come from a lineage of brokenness. That's a Christ-like legacy. The greater the brokenness, the greater the potential for a greater capacity to love. The greatest leaders in God's kingdom are those who have suffered the most. They have learned to love mercy, treat others with compassion and walk humbly.
"It is finished" are words of wisdom that provide understanding for the last who will become first. Enduring pain is the perseverance root that grows into compassion. Your pain is a seed that will take several painful seasons to germinate. I'm asking Jesus right now to kneel before you as He holds your hearts in His hands. I pray that he whispers to your hearts, "I'm holding you and I won't let you sink any deeper. My love is sufficient for you. Someday you'll understand, but for now, just believe that I feel all your pain and you are not alone."
"It is finished." I don't believe those are the words that Jesus would have preferred for His "end of life" script. The day before His death, He asked God to take away the cup of suffering, but then He added, "Not my will, but Your will be done." There are many times in life that we would gladly take away the cup of suffering from someone we love or even a stranger. God doesn't work that way, He gives a crown of beauty for ashes. He let's the sun set before He allows the sun to rise.
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