When the Truth About Life Sinks In

Life Lessons

When the Truth About Life Sinks In

1 Chronicles 4:1-9:1

SITUATION An individual's lineage was very important in Bible times. A person's tribe determined where that person would live or what occupation he or she would pursue (for example, Levites served in the Temple). Prophecies stated that the Messiah would come from the line of David. Though careful genealogical listings in Chronicles were consider a condensed version, with certain names, lines, and generations omitted.

OBSERVATION Rather than merely listing names, several times the genealogy reveals glimpses into individuals' lives. It mentions small acts of kindness, and even "small" sins. Many of these people used their years on earth to serve God.

INSPIRATION A hospital is a microcosm of the world.

Why? Let me explain.

On the surface, a hospital appears to be a great place. The sheets are clean and the staff is friendly. Nurses come and go with warm smiles. Doctors periodically appear wearing nice loafers, a tie, and a kind face. Friends and family visit bring pretty plants and friendly words.

There's a curiously large number of smiles there. I've walked the halls and have been greeted by the smiling Candy Stripers pushing the coffee cart. The gift shop downstairs is full of magazines and smiling people on the covers. The lady selling them smiled broadly at me when I bought one. The receptionist at the front desk smiles when you pass by...

Smiles, efficiency, distraction. I've seen some resorts that don't offer this kind of treatment. My, you almost forget where you are...

But just when you relax -- just when you being to smile to yourself...a siren reminds you. The scream of the patient next door reminds you. Paramedics rushing a stretcher toward the emergency room remind you.

And the reminder is sobering. This is a hospital. The sole function of this building is to bargain with death. The walls can't be white enough nor the staff polite enough to hide the stark reality of the bottom line: People come here to give all they have to postpone the inevitable.

We give it our best shot. We put up the best we have--the best technology, the best minds, the best equipment; and yet, at best we walk away with an extension, never a solution. and though we may walk or be wheeled out with smiles and waves of victory, down deep we know it is just a matter of time until the best we have won't be enough and the enemy will conquer...

Our world is identical to a hospital. Have you ever noticed the endless extremes to which a person will go to hide the realities of life?

Take age for example. Do you know anyone who has not aged? Do you know anyone who is younger today then when you met him? Aging is a universal condition. But the way we try to hide it, you would think it was a plague!

Dentures bring youth to the mouth, wrinkle cream brings youth to the face and color in a bottle brings youth to the hair.

All to hide what every already knows--we're getting older.

Death is another lump in the carpet. We don't like it. (If you were want to stall a conversation at a party just say, "How are you feeling about approaching death?" It won't put much life into a conversation.)

I have a friend who has cancer. At present the cancer is in remission. Recently he had to go to the doctor for a physical. A nurse, apparently unaware of his condition, was asking him questions for his medical record. "Are you presently ill?" she asked.

"Yes, aren't we all?"

You'd think we weren't, the way the subject is kept hush hush...

But this obsession with fleeing the facts is a maddening as it is futile. For, as in the case of the hospital, the truth always surfaces. A siren shocks us out of our sleep.

An old college roomie retires and you have to admit that if if he is in the autumn of his life, you must be too.

You walk your daughter down the aisle. "When did she grow up?"....

Be the event pleasant or painful, the result is the same. Reality breaks through the papier-mache mask and creams at you like a Marine drill sergeant. "You are getting old! You are going to die! You can't be someone you are not!"...

The best thing for you to do now is pause and think. Take a good look at the facts. And while you are looking at them, it would be wise to take a good look at Him. To those perched on the peak of the Mount Perspective. His majesty takes on special significance.

Jesus does his best work at such moments. Just when the truth about life sinks in, his truth starts to surface. He takes us by the hand and dares us not to sweep the facts under the rug but to confront them with Him on our side.

Aging? A necessary process to pass on to a better world.

Death? Merely a brief passage, a tunnel.

Self? Designed and created for a purpose, purchased by God himself.

There, was that so bad?

Funerals, divorces, illnesses, and stays in the hospital--you can't lie about life at such times. Maybe that's why he's always present at such moments.

The next time you find yourself alone in a dark alley facing the undeniables of life, don't cover them with a blanket, or ignore them with a nervous grin. Don't turn up the TV and pretend they aren't there. Instead, stand still, whisper his name, and listen. He is nearer to you than you think. (From God Came Near by Max Lucado)

APPLICATION What could you do for God this week? What are some ways you could serve that hardly seem worth mentioning (but could meet a real need)? Take the time to do even small deeds. They could be more important than the larger task you plan.

EXPLORATION Small Acts of Faith--Matthew 10:42; 25:34-40; Mark 14:8-9, Luke 10:33-35; Acts 28:2; Hebrews 11:20-24; 30-34.

The Devotional Bible - Experiencing the Heart of Jesus; Max Lucado General Editor, New Century version, Thomas Nelson Bibles