On the Anvil - Max Lucado [23]
Once, two friends were fighting together in a war. The combat was ferocious, and many lives were being taken. When one of the two young soldiers was injured and could not get back to the trenches, the other went out to get him against his officer’s orders. He returned mortally wounded, and his friend, whom he had carried back, was dead.
The officer looked at the dying soldier, shook his head, and said, “It wasn’t worth it.”
The young boy, overhearing the remark, smiled and said, “But it was worth it, sir, because when I got to him he said, ‘Jim, I knew you’d come.’”
Make the most of your relationships. Follow the advice of Benjamin Franklin: “Be slow in choosing friends and be even slower in leaving them.”
Why is it important for us to be faithful in our various relationships? What model do we have?
Are you a faithful friend? spouse? family member?
40: Singlehood: Mistake or Mission?
In our culture we have certain things that we simply don’t know how to handle: nuclear reactors, inflation, pornography, and perhaps the most confusing of all, single people.
Single people. What an enigma! Those unusual creatures without wives or husbands. What do you say to them? How can you carry on a conversation with people who are so deprived and socially amputated? Do you pity them? encourage them? ignore them? Our culture is built so much around the home that those without a home are . . . well, they’re kind of like a plane without a hangar (high-flying, but nowhere to go in a storm).
Once, before I was married, I took a trip to visit my old alma mater. I saw a lot of old friends. Married friends, professors, ex-classmates, ministers, old girlfriends. Their response to my still-matelessness was amusing.
“Haven’t found the right one yet?” they’d inquire. “Gee, Max, I’m sorry.” (As though I’d failed at life.)
Some were more tactful. “How’s your social life?” (What they really wanted was a scouting report.)
“Fine,” I’d say. (I got a kick out of leaving them wondering.)
“Oh.” They’d get nervous and then close in with something more discreet: “What about Saturday nights?” Wink.
Others had pity on me. Several put their arms around my shoulders or gently took my hand (as though I were terminally ill) and confided, “God has one waiting for you, Max. Don’t be afraid.” (Was it my imagination or did I detect a little sympathetic rubbing on the ringless finger?)
I know people mean well. But, honestly . . . is bachelorhood really a disease? Are life and meaning found only at the marriage altar? Is there no room at the inn for those who sleep alone? Are they that socially underdeveloped?
Jesus suggested that singleness is more than acceptable. In fact, Jesus called it a gift (Matthew 19:12); not for everybody but for a few. A gift that encourages “undivided devotion to the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:35). Perhaps, then, a single Christian should not be regarded as one who is spiritually impotent but as one who is gifted. I was grateful for my “gift” of singleness. Later God chose to replace my gift with a wife. I’m thankful, and I’m still serving him. But, believe it or not, it is possible to be content and come home to an empty apartment.
Being mateless is not nearly as bad as it’s made out to be. In fact, it could be part of a plan.
How do you view the singles in your world?
How can you model Jesus’ attitude toward singles in your encounters with those who are unmarried?
41: The Poison Tongue
I once knew an extremely courageous lady. She was courageous for several reasons. For one thing, she was waging an uphill battle against alcoholism. For another, she was doing all she could to restore her relationship with God. It’s tough to start over. It’s even tougher to start over when people won’t let you.
She chose a small church to attend, a church where she knew many members. She thought she’d be received there. One Sunday