Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. Hebrews 10:32-34
Dear Lord Jesus, though the original context and story is quite different… three things stand out to me in this remarkable portion of the Word today—three priceless entities that have come alive in the past seven days. Supernatural joy… rich community… lasting possessions.
The crisis of faith in our community hasn’t been one of persecution and prison, but one of flooding and devastation. As I walk many of our streets, the growing mounds of stuff in front of gutted houses tell all kinds of stories. The flood wasn’t very discriminating. Brand new thoroughly ruined furniture is in the same trash pile with family heir-loom antiques and three-generation laminated hand-me-downs. A flooded 1978 Ford pickup sits twenty-five yards from a 2009 Corvette, both headed for the same junk yard.
Oh how the phrase, “better and lasting possessions” has taken on a whole new meaning. Jesus, what really matters, by the currency and “gold standard” of eternity? What’s going to last? What’s the difference between owning our stuff versus being owned by our stuff? What are the better and lasting possessions we need to treasure, while we hold other things very… no, extremely loosely?
But indeed, Jesus, in the confusion and chaos of this crisis, I’m watching and tasting a supernatural joy and rich community emerge that the gospel alone can explain. What but your grace can enable us to joyfully accept either the confiscation or the destruction of our property? What but your grace can move us to sympathize with one another… to stand side-by-side and heart-to-heart with our brethren, our neighbors… even total strangers, and not just be thoroughly preoccupied and paralyzed with our own loss?
Ultimately, Jesus, you are the most-to-be treasured better and lasting possession. Let us live… let me live with you as my primary portion… my true home… my everlasting inheritance. So very Amen, I pray, in your most glorious name.