The good, the bad and the Savior

I'm beginning a Bible study on the book of Revelation at two churches on Sunday evening. My reading has begun, again, about a book that is difficult to understand on the best of days.

But after perusing (love that word) the first chapter for the first time in a while, I'm reminded just what a wonder it really is.

The chapter tells me this, the writer says this work is a revelation from Jesus Christ. The key word, I think, is from. It is from Jesus Christ.

And in that word, there is real revelation, I think.

Off we go into the wild blue wonder.

I think, perhaps, we have lost some of that, the wild, the blue, the wonder of it all. Haven't we? What indeed is wonder to us now?

Do we still have the great wonder that encapsulated our first days as a Christian? Can you remember those days, days when everything about worship was special and enlightening, even special? When you couldn't keep yourself from reading about Him, talking to Him, being with Him?

I really do remember them, but that doesn't mean I have the same special feeling. Honestly, I long to get back to those days.

After three years, I envision the disciples longing for those special days themselves.
After 50 years, days at Ephesus and days on Patmos, I envision John longing for days spent with Jesus just fishing.

The stories never change. The first days with Jesus are beyond special. But here's the rub. Life must go on. We're not beamed up when we accept Him as Lord and Savior. Oh, but that we were. But life must, and does, go on.

Here is life: "Walk with me this morning to a small hill called Calvary. If you look closely you will see evidence of the greatest battle. The serpent's head was bruised and the stain of blood flowed down the hill. I want you to notice this: unlike many of us, Jesus knew before he left heaven what was going to happen on planet earth. We really don't know what's going to happen from day to day. One morning we are healthy and robust, but tomorrow might bring a dilemma that changes our lives forever. We wait  until crisis shows up and then try to find a solution. God prepares the solution before the crisis. Why don't you linger on this hill a little longer as you decide to walk with Jesus today."

Mornings with sweet sunshine and Jesus was great. But life is about what's coming at us, and most of the time we can't simply sit beneath a strong oak with the wind blowing easily and enjoy Him. Most of the time we have to simply rely, to simply trust, to simply be with Him -- and whatever is coming next.

I love the stories of the great prophet Elijah. He was so sure of himself that he brought down fire on wet wood and burned it with a smile and a smirk. He out-shone the work of the prophets of Baal. He said there wouldn't be dew nor rain in the next few years unless he said it would be so.

Not much time later, he was a depressed prophet wondering where his next meal was coming from.

Life in Christ is the most wonderful thing. But life in Christ, lower l, is where we spend much of our time. That's just the way the days are.

The key is to simply keep walking, keep plowing, keep on keeping on -- and keep on loving, trusting, Him.

John said it this way: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was with God. The same was in the beginning with God. ALL THINGS WERE MADE BY HIM; AND WITHOUT HIM WAS NOT ANY THING MADE THAT WAS MADE.

Get it. The cross was made BY HIM. The great days were MADE BY HIM. The storms where he's sitting at the back of the boat sleeping, WERE MADE BY HIM. He walks and talks with us along the narrow way, friends.

Today, walk toward the small hill, knowing all along that He's with you. IT ALL IS FROM HIM.