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INTRODUCTION TO LIFESTYLE WORSHIP V

As we introduce a profoundly important series of messages this week, we have followed the true story of a young man we are calling Charles. Charles loved God, and wholeheartedly sought ways to serve God significantly. This led his to give up a secure job and pursue graduate school and fulltime church ministry at the same time.

Suddenly, when he was just about to receive his hard-earned PhD, when his church ministry was developing well and when he was most weary in well-doing, he was dismissed from his ministry. He felt the shock waves down to the very core of his being. Let's pick up the story from that point, and find out what God was doing in his life.

Charles had several response options available: Fight the dismissal, stir up personal support, or discredit his discreditors. Some of that might have been perversely enjoyable to do, but nothing would really be gained and much could be lost in terms of ministry, so Charles filtered those choices out.

Another option was bitterness. He knew that bitterness is an emotional cancer that can kill the person who carries that bitterness in his or her heart. It was not worth the price. He was tempted to be angry, but didn't have enough energy left over from job-hunting for that.

Charles could have run away in despair. That, of course, would have added to the problem. He might also have run away spiritually, turning his back on God. Charles knew that didn't make sense. In fact, the essence of faith is holding on when the situation is shaky.

He could have become profoundly depressed. Frankly, Charles was depressed. He didn't sink to point of inactivity, but he was deeply sobered by these events, and slowly sinking into the quicksand of a sense of worthlessness.

Yet, by the grace of God, what could have happened to him didn't. Why not? As Charles looked back on that winter wilderness experience later, he saw God driving him to deeper living.

In His compassion, while God drove him to deeper living, at the same time God sustained him in three distinct ways. First, God took him to His Word. Long before this crisis, Charles knew that His love letter to him was "a lamp to (his) feet and a light for (his) path" (Psalm 119:105).

As Charles moved forward into his winter, God led him to look at two lifelong Bible heroes. Charles empathized with Joseph when, after coming to and depending on his brothers, they dumped him and sold him to an unknown future. Charles pondered his dogged Godliness while far away from supportive family and friends. He habitually demonstrated integrity of character and excellence in work—even though rewarded time after time with indifference or disgrace.

Joseph's reaction trumpeted his conviction that with God in control, his response was more important than his situation. Charles wanted to reflect that same sense of devotion and worship.

Charles identified with David when, as a fugitive, he plead for bread for himself and his family of followers. Charles understood more fully what he must have felt as he willingly passed up opportunities to discredit King Saul. Using David's positive example, God helped him recognize his natural, retaliatory impulses as they were: self-gratifying and counterproductive.

Can you imagine what Joseph and David must have thought and felt during their dark days? Discovered out in the wide-open spaces of obscurity, amid flocks of dull-witted sheep, God gives them each a dramatic and life-changing revelation of their bright and prominent futures. Horizons expand, expectations rise, and imaginations run wild.

Suddenly—bam!—they are jolted rudely from reverie to reality. In both cases, their brothers turn on them. They become outcasts. Instead of being lifted up in honor, they both came crashing down, Humpty Dumpty style.

I can picture them now, both asking, "Lord? Is this what I get for doing what I thought You wanted me to do?" Yet, their determination to honor God in spite of discouraging circumstances became a standard that Charles set for himself.

So first, God sustained him through God's Word. Second, God sustained him through special people. Kay and Charles decided not to talk about their predicament to people within the church because they realized the potential for divisiveness. Yet, certain friends sensed the situation and helped them in creative, simple, significant ways.

Kay began keeping a journal of these blessings so they would not later forget God's nourishment during their winter wilderness experience. They may also give you some ideas of ways you can help any friends of yours who are going through similar difficulties

The day Charles went down to apply for Welfare, he cried out to God in desperation. That morning's mail brought a check for $100.
A friend was cleaning out her refrigerator, and gave Kay a bag of groceries and another bag of apples.
Other friends invited Charles and Kay to a church banquet - and then loaded their freezer compartment with meat!
Two other friends babysat the children at no charge, so Charles and Kay could take a break together.
Someone put $50 in their mailbox the day they had to get glasses for their little son. One by one, God was taking care of every need.
An optometrist friend gave their son a free eye exam for his prescription.
One Saturday evening, a widow with two children of her own brought over a bag of apples, crackers & milk. She also gave them coffee and ingredients for meatloaf.

The journal goes on for pages. Just when they needed it, family and friends showed their love and support. These kindnesses broke through the gloomy overcast like scattered rays of brilliant sunshine. They brought a profound assurance of God's personal love for them. Along with that assurance of His personal love came a confidence in His personal care. Even though Charles still had no idea how things would work out, he had no question that they would work out.

As Charles pondered that period again later, his heart erupted in the praise of Lamentations 3:23, "Because of the LORD's great love they are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."