Updated Thursday, May 08, 2008

Formations lesson for May 18: The Power to Endure

By R. Kevin Johnson

Focal Passage: John 16

Three months ago the residents of Macon County, Tenn., were devastated by a series of tornados that leveled homes and killed a dozen citizens.

The next day, my former pastor and colleague, Michael, went to work to bring relief to those who were affected by the storm. Michael, his wife, and two children (ages 14 and 11) opened up their church to those who needed assistance. They counseled and prayed with those who lost relatives and homes. They provided shelter for those who had nowhere to go. They provided food for those who were hungry.

Two days into the mobilization of relief workers, my friends were returning from a shelter kitchen where they had been preparing lunch. They were stopped in traffic when a tractor-trailer truck carrying emergency aid supplies slammed into the rear of their minivan. All four were killed instantly.

Those of us who were friends of this extraordinary family spent the next several days trying to get our minds around this tragedy.

As we all talked and shared memories, it became obvious that we were all confused by the same thing. How is it that such a terrific family with hearts for ministry, compassion for those who are hurting, and concern for those who don't yet know Christ be taken away from us so early? Then it occurred to me, their work on earth is done and they died while they were doing what God had called them to do. They were faithful to the end.

I reflected on the ministry of my pastor-friend and the things that I learned from him while I was his associate. I realized that I'd learned from Michael a great deal about helping people who were facing difficult circumstances. Together we ministered to a family who lost a daughter in a brutal crime; we cried with young couples who lost infants still in the womb; we sat with those who were dumbfounded by the mystery of suffering in the context of terminal illness. Michael taught me that, through it all, our singular purpose is this: to remind the people of God that the conquering Christ brings the promise of hope and peace even in the midst of the pain of this world.

From this unbelievable tragedy involving my friends, I learned an important life lesson stated beautifully in the book of Nehemiah: "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Indeed.