OUR Great Hero
None of us is the hero of this story
I’m not saying we should lick door handles or By Bethany Riehl turn over our freedom in the name of “faith.” Warning, I’m about to state the obvious: we are I’m not saying we should go to church if we’re living in some crazy times, no? Truly, the global sick or not be present in political conversations pandemic isn’t even the craziest of all. It’s difor not stand firm in the Truth of His Word, even ficult to know what to think about anything these days with the influx of differing opinions posted if that offends a misguided brother or sister. I am all over the place. Just when I make my mind up saying, “Church, where is our faith? Where is our about something, a new idea is presented to chalbrotherly love?” lenge my previous conclusion. I find myself feelPaul had just the right words for us in these ing like a wave tossed about in troubled waters. times. “Have the attitude in yourselves which Which is no place for a believer. (See James was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He 1) existed in the form of God, did not consider Recently, after a discouraging day, my heart equality with God something to be grasped, but lamented, “God, if only I could memorize the enemptied Himself, taking the form of a bondtirety of Scripture to have it forefront in my mind servant, and being made in the likeness of at all times! That in each and every circumstance, men. Being found in appearance as a man, He I could pluck out which Scripture fits the situation Bethany Riehl humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the and use it accordingly!” point of death, even death on a cross.” (PhilippiI was struck with truth so strongly in that moment, I went still ans 2:5-8) A few verses down he also exhorts us to, “Do all things at the sheer magnitude of it: Jesus accomplished this thing I so without grumbling or complaining.” (vs. 14) desperately wanted. He was the Word made flesh, and He did I have found in my Bible reading this year the most uncomfortknow all of Scripture perfectly – even the New Testament that able, and yet liberating, realization. For many years (especially in was yet to be written – and lived His life in perfect submission youth group as a young woman), I was told to put myself into the to God, walking in the truth of His Word perfectly. Not only did Bible as the hero. I was David, and my problems were Goliath He accomplish this on my behalf, He promised me a Helper, the (God would help me slay that hard test!), I was Esther (born for Holy Spirit, to guide me in the same way. such a time as this, I was made to do great things!), I was Joshua “And the Word of God became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the (God has good plans for me and I am a warrior!). At the beginFather, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14 ning of this year, I asked the Lord to transform my Bible reading, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you so that I would understand who He is. into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, He is faithful and I have seen who He is, and who I am not. I but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to am not the hero; I’m the fool in the Proverbs, I’m the Pharisee, you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of I’m the rebellious Israelite. The great heroes of the Bible aren’t Mine and will disclose it to You.” – John 16:13,14 us; they are pictures of Jesus. He is David, slaying our sin. He is We’re living in turbulent times, my friends. No doubt. We are Joshua, leading His people to the promised land, He is wisdom, not, however, here by mistake. You, me, your neighbor, your chilHe is love, He is perfect. He is the hero of the Bible and He came dren, your pastor – all – were designed to live in this place and in to save us. We have nothing to offer, but still He died for us. While this time. Not necessarily to be the heroes; rather, we the Church, we were His enemies, He died. For us. We have everything to gain the Bride of Christ have the profound privilege to walk His truth by following Him. And everything to lose if we don’t. out for all the world to see. We are not of this world; our kingLet us not be afraid, dear friends, of whatever may come. We dom is in heaven. While here, we are Christ’s ambassadors, His can rest knowing that the all-powerful God has tucked us under workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do the good works He His wing. We need not fear a virus, famine, economic collapse, has prepared beforehand for us to do. We are to be salt and light loss of freedom, earthquakes or anything else 2020 (or even bein this depraved and dark world. What’s more, we’ve been given yond) might throw our way. Even death. Even persecution. the gift of the Holy Spirit to accomplish this. We aren’t called to be the heroes in this time. We are to be the In these days of chaos and confusion, we need to stand firm in ones that bring glory to the Greatest Hero of all time. We need the Truth. To do that, we must know it. I’ll be the first to confess only to obey. Lean into Him, point to Him, think of Him, sing to that I have spent more time scrolling news articles and Instagram Him, praise Him! Love His people. Rest in His sovereignty. And stories than I should. What a waste of time that is! I haven’t drunk deeply of the Living Water as often as I should. Instead, I when we fail at these things, we can confess it and find forgiveneed to immerse myself in the Word of God. ness and start over again. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our Now is our time, Christian, to live out the Word of God with sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to Christ Jesus as our example and the Holy Spirit as our guide. It’s cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” difficult to reign in the flesh, but we must. The world is watching Walk by faith. Be encouraged. He does all things well! (Mark 7:37) n and they desperately need the hope that is found in Jesus alone. Will we show them people who are afraid of a virus? Will we Bethany Riehl loves to write stories and articles that explore the complexities show them people who are afraid of losing our freedom? Will we of relationships and encourage readers in their relationship with Jesus. She show them people who don’t trust in the Lord in the face of these joyfully serves in the children’s ministry at her church, teaches at a homeschool very real concerns? Will we show them a family that bickers and co-op, and drinks more coffee than necessary to keep up with her only-slightlyfights with one another? Or will we show them people of faith crazy life. She is the author of four Christian fiction novels and now lives in that love one another? Faith in a wonderful God that is sovereign Meridian with her spunky kids and very handsome hubby. over all things, and love for the Bride that He calls His own.
28 September / October 2020 | Christian Living
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