Where from Here?
These are tough economic times in America. Across our
nation are thousands of families who are either facing foreclosure
or dealing with its aftermath. Former two-income families are down
to one…or none. Positive cash flows have been replaced with red ink.
Many churches, especially the smaller variety, have experienced
severe drop-offs in tithes and offerings, and now wonder how long
they will be able to continue paying their pastors and staff. As is
too often the case, financial problems can foment spiritual and
emotional woes as well. There are literally millions out there who are asking, “Where from here?”
I readily confess from my own life experience that
I’ve asked that question on numerous occasions…often with tears. All
of us make decisions that produce negative consequences. At times we
incur trouble that is not of our own making. In any case, life can
lead us to that proverbial chasm between a rock and a hard
place…from which our soul cries out, “Where from here?” There are
several men in scripture whose experiences enable us to derive
guidance and encouragement for those bewildering chasms of life.
The first is Samson (Judges 16:21-30). I am certain that, not long
after this former champion got settled into the Philistine prison
(and perhaps before the blood dried in his empty eye sockets), he
was asking this very question. I wonder how many times he reflected
upon his former triumphs and the power he enjoyed by divine
dispensation. Those days were gone! All that remained were memories
of better times and a future with darkness written all over it! Does
that sound familiar?
In time, the answer came. As the
Philistines made sport, he poured out his heart to God for one last
anointing to repay his enemies. Samson would go to his death with a
fresh anointing of power! Death with an anointing was the answer to
“Where from here?” His options: (1) die with a fresh dose of divine
power, or (2) keep grinding in the prison house. He deemed death to
be the better option. Better to die with an anointing than to
continue to live without one! Whatever our circumstances may be, a
similar attitude will serve us well! It turns out Samson killed more
Philistines in death than he did in life. What if, for you and I,
the parallel reality was souls saved instead of Philistines dead? Is
that a "Where?" we could live with?
The second is Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:1-7). He was
Judah's most godly
king. On a given day when he was very sick due to a boil, God sent
the prophet Isaiah to
deliver a death notice. The answer to “Where from here?” was
provided…but not accepted. The king turned his face toward the wall,
and began to petition his God for mercy. Within a matter of
minutes, the Lord sent his prophet back to Hezekiah’s bedside with
an updated future that included healing and fifteen additional years! Takeaway:
As long as a child of God has prayer as a spiritual weapon, his or
her future can be mended and extended!
The third is the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24)). Having
wasted his
inheritance on riotous living, he became a caretaker of swine…a grotesque task for any Jew. What he had envisioned
as greener pastures had become aromatic pig slop. He clearly had
thoughts of “Where
from here?” He finally reasoned: “I will arise and go to my
father.” Rather than perish from hunger, the son came home,
confessed his sin, and requested to be made a hired
servant. But the father would have none of it. His son was
still a son…and he would ever love him and treat him as such! The
father welcomed him back with the open arms of compassion, forgiveness, a kiss,
a robe, footwear and a
feast. Dear friend, if the lust of the flesh, the eyes, and or the
pride of life ever bring you to a
“Where from here?” moment, the Prodigal has taught us
by example exactly where "Where?" is…and what we can expect from
the Father upon our return!
The fourth is Jeremiah (38:4-13). After sinking in the mire at
the prison dungeon's bottom, this heavy-hearted prophet may have
considered that his ministry was over, and perhaps asked “Where from
here?” After all, he had neither food nor water, and it was the
expressed desire of the princes who falsely accused him to see him
die The
answer came in the form of Ebedmelech, an Ethiopian eunuch who pled his cause
before king Zedekiah, and received permission to assemble a
thirty-man rescue party.
The fifth is the Jewish man of Luke 10:30-36, who was
robbed and beaten. As
that half-dead traveler was fading in and out of consciousness, “Where from here?” might have
crossed his mind a time or two. The answer
came in the form of a compassionate Samaritan who bound up his
wounds, provided transportation to the inn, took care of him, and
covered all of his recovery expenses.
The important lesson we learn from both the Eunuch
and Samaritan is that God may very well have in mind that you
and I serve as the answer for a troubled soul who is asking, “Where
from here?” We may not need to ask the question, but can be used of
God to be the answer for someone who is! Blessed is that man or
woman who obtains an answer from God concerning “Where from here?”
More blessed still are those who so walk with God that they become
the answer for one who is asking!
In conclusion, we see there are two kinds of
individuals involved in a “Where from here?” scenario: the askers and
the answers! If you are one who is asking, take comfort from Samson,
Hezekiah and the Prodigal. Each teaches us that plentiful divine
resources are available at moments when all hope seems to be lost!
If, on the other hand, your immediate future looks sunny and bright,
consider becoming the answer for one who is asking.
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