Where were you?
Alan Jackson asked a question in a song,Quote:
| "Where were you when the world stopped turning?" |
Of course Mr. Jackson is referring to September 11, 2001. That awful day when 3000+ Americans died at the hands of terrorists. But the question doesn't stop at a particular day.
Someone's world stops turning every single day. You may not know them. It may not affect you, today. But someday soon, you will know someone whose "world stops turning".
The world stops turning for someone who has lost a loved one. For them everything begins to run in slow motion. That which may have caused ulcers the day previous, now, matters very little. And it hurts.
A number of years ago, a wrestler by the name of Owen Hart, died in the middle of a night of wrestling. Unbelievably, the show carried on and finished the night's entertainment. What a tidal wave of disrespect for the passing of a life.
What should our response be? What should happen when someone we know has their world come to a standstill?
Not long ago I was involved in a funeral procession in Canada. It brought to mind how far we have slipped from respecting those who have lost a loved one. As we proceeded from the church to the cemetary behind the hearse, each car that we met stopped. I thought this was most respectful. But the event that stands out in my mind was two lineman. They were fixing a telephone line and they spotted the hearse approaching. Stopping what they were doing, they both reached up, removed their hard hats, and bowed their heads.
Driving by, each person could see that they were "standing still" out of respect for the dead, and those who loved her. This powerful image is etched in my mind. It reminded me that one of the most important things that we can do, at a time of death, is to "stand still". Not in a way of inactivity. But rather being with those who have lost. Skip some of those non-essential things in your life, and visit them, send them a card, send them flowers, call them. Let them know that you acknowledge that the world is not spinning for them.
The Lord Jesus gives a number of great examples of this,
Luke 7:11-17
Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.
Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.
Obviously, we are not in a postion to help in this manner. But Jesus stood still. He could have walked on by. Yet He knew the power of standing still, of identifying with one who has suffered loss.
He eventually stood still in John 11 for Martha and Mary.
In the relating of events in the life of Bartimaeus, we find one of the greatest statements in the New Testament,
Mark 10:49
Quote:
| So Jesus stood still |
It is amazing the things that happen, when Jesus stands still.
You and I will never be able to bring the same type of power that Jesus brought, when He "stood still". But we can bring a measure of His comfort and peace to each tragic situation, when we are willing to "stand still".
Practice the wonderful power of being present.
Posted On Nov 12, 2005 at 0:00 AM
|
Here I StandOpinions, Convictions, and Observations of a PilgrimABOUT ME Current PostsThe Axe in our LivesThe Love of Learning Opinions or Convictions Which is the Pot? I Told You So 
|