Jesus Christ is Lord over all. Where Gospel truth meets the world's realities informs your conscience, determines your world view and shapes the decisions and values that reflect your faithful witness to Christ. We plan to regularly feature in this space the best Biblical insight and thinking we can muster for the critical issues of the day that personally affect us all. This issue, we begin with a reprint of Chuck Colson's "Breakpoint" feature of January 22, 2010; we heartily commend it to your attention and action.
Standing in the Gap…2010
“I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me on behalf of the land…” Ezekiel 22:30
Yes, that’s about a real Biblical phrase, not about a retail clothing store. When we consider all things, we’ve had a good year of 2009 in the Lord, certainly more mind and spirit-uplifting than much of the confused world around us. However, that doesn’t mean we haven’t had loss as well as gain.
As to loss, we remember that one of our beloved members, Bob Green, left us for the land of the truly living in August; we share in Louise’s loss of his presence and friendship. A friend of the Church, Verlena Willis-Huggins, also went home to the Lord in July, being ministered to in her journey by First Covenant. Janelle Ross, whom most of you recall as part of our fellowship in children’s ministry, came home to Ohio one last time as we laid her to rest in September. In a different kind of loss, Rita Clark moved from Willoughby Hills to enter a loving and satisfying phase of her life with family in southern Ohio . We are happy for her and still enjoy her fellowship from a distance, but we sorely miss her presence and ministry among us in the everyday challenges of fulfilling our mission in this community.
As to gain, we strengthened community ties through civic observances and the WHISPER program. In our 120th Anniversary Year, we experienced a wonderful celebration with the participation of Conference and National ECC leadership. We captured the spirit and joy of our past, present and future through this event and the wonderful commemorative publication that accompanied it. Although we had to send Rita off—with an inspiring party incidentally—the real miracle was how the many jobs that marked her service were lovingly assumed by others with hardly a missed beat. Many stepped up to “stand in the gap”. God knows who you are!
Looking ahead to a new year and a new decade of service, it is Rita’s example that stands out for me as I consider the Biblical challenge and hope from Ezekiel. The passage is in a very negative time of exile for Israel , but God is speaking about servants who will “stand in the gap” for the land and people. He is speaking of the true calling of a prophet of God—and what we are all called to do—stand before God on behalf of others. As we remember this, we will be less tempted to think of our own self-satisfactions, our grumblings, or the tendency to shape the church in our own image rather than in the image of Jesus. We will be more inspired to do all that we do here for God’s truth in order to reach out to the stranger. Rita’s example lives among us.
And now we look forward to continuing outreach through the Soil & Seed Project—ethnic dinners that will bring warmth and hospitality to the community around us. We aim for authentic worship and instruction that will invite others to share in God’s miracles and comfort. And when we crave movement—which is a part of the call to follow Christ—let us also be aware of the simple importance of standing in the gap. Take some time for a word study (“stand”) in your Bible concordance and see how important it is to the Lord: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (I Cor 15:58) “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…” (Eph 6:14) Jesus says in the prophetic Revelation, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock….” (Rev 3:20) Then there’s His words as a reminder of our need for unity—“…every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” (Mt 12:25) Finally, “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat…each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Let these words about standing be encouragement—it is as important to be as to do.
I appreciate the dedication, the examples of grace, and the kindnesses of all who serve this fellowship in Christ. I challenge you to think these thoughts and shape our actions together as we work for a vibrant church that stands in the gap for God.
With Faith, Hope and Love,
Pastor Bill Nyerges
January 2010
