In Memory of Gary Sowell

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

“You [God] will increase my honor and comfort me once again.” (Psalm 71:21)

“…you will be remembered by the LORD your God.” (Numbers 10:9)

On this Memorial Day, my thoughts return to the great uncle I wish I could have known. In the early 1940s, Gary Sowell left the dark-sand soil of Kershaw, South Carolina, the rural farming community of his youth, and never returned. While serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II, his plane went down and he was lost at sea. My 90-year-old grandmother still gets misty-eyed when she speaks of her brother. She keeps his black-and-white photograph framed in her living room. Crisply uniformed, he smiles a broad smile of clear-eyed promise. I wonder, behind the eyes, how deep the awareness ran of the sacrifice that might be required of him. I never had the privilege of meeting or knowing the man whom I would have called “Uncle Gary,” but I have seen his face, his kindness, his courage, and his love embodied in his sisters and brothers (my grandmother, great aunt and great uncles). Today, especially today, I give thanks for his willingness—and for the willingness of so many, many others—to serve heroically, selflessly, bravely, and all too often sacrificially.

Heavenly Father and gracious Lord, we offer deep gratitude for all who have served, and for those who continue to serve, in the armed forces. We pray for the families of those who have lost loved ones, that you would shower them with comfort and hope. And we thank you again for the ultimate sacrifice: the suffering and death of your son Jesus, who laid down his life to rescue the lost from the power of sin and death. Amen.

Swear Word or Savior? -- Revisited

“…for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come…’ ” (Jesus, quoted in Matthew 6:8b-9)

“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” (Exodus 20:7)

Last October, our weekly devotional focused on the use of “Jesus Christ” as a curse, and on how his followers might choose to respond to hearing the name of our Savior spoken in a crude, casual manner. The other day I read a passage that challenged me to view this subject more deeply. These words from John Stott remind us that “misusing” God’s name is not just about the words we say, but about the life we lead:

“The name of God represents the nature of God. There is much in the Bible which commands us to reverence his name, and in the Lord’s Prayer we are taught to pray that his name may be hallowed. His holy name can be profaned by our loose language, and most of us could do worse than revise our vocabulary from time to time. But to take God’s name in vain is not just a matter of words, but also of thoughts and deeds. Whenever our behaviour is inconsistent with our belief, or our practice contradicts our preaching, we take God’s name in vain. To call God ‘Lord’ and disobey him is to take his name in vain. To call God ‘Father’ and be filled with anxiety and doubts is to deny his name. To take God’s name in vain is to talk one way and act another. This is hypocrisy.” (John R.W. Stott, Basic Christianity, p. 66)

Eternal God and Father, I for one am convicted that the way my life “speaks” too often does not bring honor or glory to your holy name. Thank you for the reminder that “hallowing” your name takes more than words. Deepen in me a desire to glorify you and “speak” your name honorably in all that I think, say and do. As I trust you to do so, I will rely on your grace and rest in your love. Amen.

There Is No Lack

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Paul, writing to the church at Philippi, Philippians 4:19-20)

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:6-8)

Which of these statements is most true of where you are this week?

A. My schedule is crammed with projects, meetings, and weighty determinations that give me a headache just thinking about them.
B. At least one big payment is due by Friday; the headache is spreading to my neck.
C. Demands are threatening to swamp my supply of time, talent, treasure and energy; is it still only Monday?
D. All of the above.
E. None of the above; I can’t think if a single challenge, need or uncertainty.

If you picked “E,” then Good On Ya! (Assuming you’re in touch with reality.) If you chose A, B, C or D, I pray you’ll join me in receiving great encouragement from a divine reminder: “Lack” is an unknown concept in God’s economy. More than enough resources exist to accomplish the purposes that He has established for our lives. As my pastor puts it, “God’s work done in God’s timing will never lack God’s supply.”[1] This is true for our vocations, our relationships, our finances, our families — for all of the areas in which we’re called to honor God by serving and loving others. Fear and worry need not bind us; they will melt away as we place (or re-place) childlike trust in the Lord’s goodness, believing that He will be faithful to meet us precisely at our point of need — and then allowing His perfect peace to wash over us as we wait. Our big question, then, is no longer a fretful one: “Where in the world are we going to come up with this?” but a contented one: “What amazing ways will God demonstrate His power and love by meeting our needs in this circumstance?”

Heavenly Father, thank you that you have apportioned enough time, talent, treasure, and other resources to complete your good, pleasing plans. As we draw near to you in reliance and gratitude, we will wait expectantly to see your mighty hand of provision at work in and through our lives. Amen.