He Stinks

 People have problems. Those problems come in all shapes and sizes. People cope with them in various ways. Some people pray. Others escape through exercise and physical fitness activities. There are those who turn to substance abuse to dull the pain and try to escape reality. Some try to ignore the problem until it exasarbates. 

Some problems are bigger than others. A common headache is not as serious as cancer. A flat tire is not as serious as a bad car accident. Not having the children visit or call in a few days or weeks is not as bad as them dying like Job's children and never talking to or seeing them again this side of heaven. 

I don't know what you are up against today. I know from personal experience and three decades of pastoral ministry, that everyone has something. Everybody has to deal with some adversity from time to time. How do we get through the tough stuff? How do we persevere when so many things are going to against us. 

There are two people who inspire me. One many will never heard of before. The other will be more recognizable. Let me introduce you to Charles Simeon. Charles served as a pastor back in the 1700s in England. He was appointed to his position by the previous pastor. Charles served as an assistant under this pastor for many years. When that guy retired he appointed Charles Simeon. 

Here is where the problem arose. There was a second assistant pastor and the people wanted him. Charles knew this. He got wind of how the people felt and tried to turn down the appointment. The retiring pastor informed Charles that even if he refused to accept the position the other associate would not get the position. Charles accepted. 

The people revolted. Their first revolt was to refuse the open the gated doors on the ends of the pews. They kept them locked so anyone who attended had to stand. Charles brought chairs into the house of God so people could sit in them. One morning he awoke to find all of those chairs thrown outside on the church lawn. People had to stand to listen to him preach. It was not uncommon for sermons to last up to an hour. This did not last for weeks or months. This lasted for 12 long years! Simeon persevered. Even after those 12 years, things were not smooth sailing. How many would have given up in just a few short months? Not Simeon. Simeon remained in that church for 54 years serving faithfully!

He said something one day I read in a book that hit home with me. He talked about trying to crawl through a hedge and feeling the pokes and pricks of the bushes. This is what he said next.

My dear brother, we must not mind a little suffering for Christ's sake. When I am getting through a hedge, if my head and shoulders are safely through, I can bear the pricking of my legs. Let us rejoice in the remembrance that our holy Head has surrounded all His suffering and triumphant over death. Let us follow Him patiently; we shall soon be partakers of His victory.

Simeon's example has inspired me since I first heard and read about him decades ago. He personified perseverance and how to overcome and outlast problems. 

My other example can be found in John 11:1-44. Lazarus' problem? He got sick and died. What did Jesus do? Called him back to life. Let that sink in. Lazarus died. There is no physical problem any person will ever face bigger than that. Now I get it. For children of God death is not the end. It is an open door to everlasting life. People still die. Sometimes prematurely. Some times through old age. Other times death comes through much suffering or tragically. 

Maratha and Mary grieved the death of their brother. They both told Jesus if He had been there Lazarus would have lived. They did not know what they were about to witness. Jesus spoke about being the resurrection and the life. He then commanded that the stone be rolled away from the tomb. Martha responded, "He has been in there four days. He will stink." 

That is what happens to dead and decaying bodies. They start stinking as they decompose. If you have ever smelled the dead carcass of a deer on the side of the road, you know it is not pleasant. After four days, Lazarus would have been rank with a foul stench. 

Jesus gave a simple command, "Lazarus, come forth." To everyone's astonishment Lazarus walked out of that tomb still wrapped in grave clothes. What a miracle. 

For the rest of Lazarus' life I can picture him listening to people whine about their problems. Lovingly I can just hear his gentle reminder, "If your problem is not bigger than mine, rememberI died, then Jesus can handle it." How true. 

So whatever you are facing, whatever waves are pounding you at the moment, whatever adversities are getting the best of you, and whatever menacing mountains stand in your way, I just remind you God is bigger than your problem. He is stronger, wiser, and mightier than what you are up against. I hope that offers a small measure of comfort and a large dose of hope. 

I am thankful for Charles Simeon. He may not have felt his life made much of a difference. I can tell his ministry and example are still paying dividends in my life. I am also thankful for the glorious example of Lazarus. Just when it seems all hope is gone, everything is lost, and you are at a dead end Jesus can still perform miracles just as big as resurrecting the dead back to life. If He can do that, I know He can handle whatever problem you are facing. Press on weary soldiers of the cross. We must not mind a little adversity for Christ's sake. Our resurrection miracle might just be around the corner.