At the recommendation of my friend, Sherry, I picked up the first two books in the Jerusalem Chronicles series by Bodie and Brock Thoene. This is my first experience with the Thoene’s writing, and thus far, I like it a great deal. I love Christian fiction. Other than autobiographies, Christian fiction is my preferred genre of reading material.
As I read recently from “When Jesus Wept”, I was slayed by an illustration the Thoenes used to explain one of the possible reasons for suffering in the life of a Christian. In my heart and my head, I already knew the truth of the illustration, but this illustration was sent like a .357 bullet to the bull’s-eye of my heart. Perhaps it will speak to you also, although your situation may look different than mine.
I, along with many others in my circle of friends and acquaintances, am in that stage of life where we are parenting our parents. May I just tell you that it is hard? I’m sure some of you know that better than I. Story after story could be recorded of the decisions my friends and I are having to make for our parents. Assisted living, nursing home, new medications, moving from undies to pull-ups to diapers, having to repeat something for the gazillionth time, making sure they have good nutrition and hygiene, praying they don’t fall and break a bone, making sure their clothes match and are clean, and on and on the list goes. It is heartbreaking and exhausting, and there is not one thing a child can do to make it all better. Helpless and short on answers is how we feel so often. Perhaps your situation makes you feel the same?
In “When Jesus Wept” the main character, David ben Lazarus, is in the business of winemaking. A young man of about 30 years who owns vast vineyards, he lost his wife and infant son in childbirth, and his heart feels broken beyond repair. He and Jesus are walking in his vineyard one day when Jesus asks Lazarus to share about grape growing, and making sure the grapes have ample water.
Lazarus replies, “Grapes are the only crop I know that need to be stressed to enhance flavor. I make my vines work a little harder. When I water, I pour the water just beyond the reach of the roots so they stretch and grow and set themselves deep.”
Later in the conversation, Lazarus asks Jesus why his wife and child had to be taken from him. Why was it God’s will to take the people he loved most dearly?
To which Jesus replied, “When a good man suffers….perhaps it makes his roots reach deeper for the water.”
I’m wondering if the apostle Paul, and James, the brother of our Lord, knew a bit about vinedressing?
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)
…..we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)
What stress are you going through today? What trial is besetting your heart? Perhaps Jesus is pouring the water you need for refreshment and growth just beyond the reach of your roots so you will dig deeper into Him. His goal is to mature you into a beautiful drink offering that can be poured out for His glory.
