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Finding the Way Home
The eNewsletter Archive
Below is the archived version of Marshall Hayden's eNewesletter "Finding the Way Home." If you would like to be added to to mailing list, please send a blank email to evangelism-subscribe@worthingtoncc.org.
You may also view our archived articles here.
September 2009
Some of you who read this note know Wayne Smith, the Bob Hope of the Restoration Movement. For many years Wayne was the preacher for the Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky – a large church that has made a huge difference in that city and state for many years. Wayne is a funny man. And he is a serious man. He has championed humanitarian, ethical, and moral causes for a long time. Everyone in Lexington has known Wayne Smith. But he was not a great student. He borrowed a lot of things from any number of preachers; and he could make them sound better than the authors could. But in his wide "borrowing", at times he would use the well-written material of some folks with whom he did not share a common theology. One morning, in the middle of a sermon, he read something and then immediately said "I don't believe that."
There have been some times when I have been singing along, and suddenly say to myself, "I don't really believe that." There are some popular, old quartet songs, that have great harmonies and an appealing rhythm: but they are either pretty thin spiritually, and maybe even off base. "Jesus walked this lonesome valley. He had to walk it by himself. Oh, nobody else could walk it for him. He had to walk it by himself." That part is 100% right. On the cross he said, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Then comes the part that is less right. "You must walk this lonesome valley. You have to walk it by yourself." Oops! "On the Jericho road there's room for just two – no more and no less – just Jesus and you." Not really! In the first place, no Christian is ever really alone. In the Old Testament God had to say to Elijah, who was scared of Jezebel, and hiding in a cave, and moaning that he was the only one left, "Get serious. I'm here!" In the New Testament Jesus said, "I will not leave you, or forsake you." And in the second place, God told Elijah that he had 7,000 others who had not bowed the knee to Baal; and in the body of Christ are thousands upon thousands of others; and quite a few of them are close, and available.
So many events of these last few days have proven to Judy and me that we are nowhere close to being alone. The thoughtfulness, kindness, encouragement, and generosity of the Worthington Christian Church family have been overwhelming. Families, teens, older folks, and long-time friends stood in line for an hour or two to wish this partner couple God-speed. The book of letters just bulges (But, emotionally, we haven't been able to read them yet. That will happen next week, and for a long time). Searching for a way to endorse the personal loyalties that we have, this generous church family has given our alma mater, Milligan College, a wonderful endowment. So many kind words, kind notes, kind tears, and kind expressions of gratitude!
And on your "Jericho Road" you are not alone either. Even if you are beaten up, like the guy in the parable, and thoughtless people (even religious people) hurry on by, rather than stopping to help, you're going to be found by a Samaritan. When you sit in the pew some Sunday, with a heavy heart, look around. I'll bet that your eyes will meet those of somebody who cares. When you are called to take a stand at work or in the neighborhood, for something very good or against something very wrong, you will be surprised to have somebody else, or several somebodies (almost all the time) stepping up beside you.
"I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God," "what a fellowship, what a joy divine," "because we believe," and "how deep the Father's love for us" are a few songs that tell the rest of the story.
And "God (will) be with you til we meet again!"
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