FROM THE PULPIT: SURPRISES IN THE RIVERBANK

This summer's drought (as it stretches into this autumn's drought!) is draining water resources. One very visible casualty is the Mississippi River. It has reached a very low level. As the river gets lower, things on the riverbanks are seen that are usually not visible. We may be surprised at what we can find in places on shore that were once under water.

Times of stress do this to the human soul as well. None of us likes troubles, inevitable as they are. Thomas a' Kempis, in his immortal classic imitation of Christ wrote, 'Times of trouble best discover the true worth of a man; they do not weaken him, but show his true nature." As a riverbank in times of drought, we may discover things about ourselves in trying times that we did not know about ourselves. Or things we had rather stayed hidden under the surface. Like that temper. or our judgmental attitudes. or our own guilt for a long forgotten sin in our past.

Once a man was carelessly walking along and fell into a well. One person came along and seeing the man in distress, said,"We must find out who is responsible and take revenge." Another said, "If you had been more careful, you would not be in this fix." others offered their opinions: "If you think hard enough, you can figure out a way to free yourself." or, "I'll see if I have time in my daily planner to help you." Then Christ came along, and helped the man out of the well.

It seems to me that 1) we should never be surprised at what we find in ourselves when times are tough. We all like sheep, go our own way," says the prophet Isaiah.(Is.53:6) But when we discover them we can turn to Jesus Christ to help us overcome our weaknesses. 2) we should prepare ourselves for tough times. "Man is born to trouble, as surely as the sparks fly upward," recognized Eliphaz.(Job 5:7) Consider the ant;it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at.harvest. (Proverbs 6:6,8) As important as this is for material goods, let us also strengthen our souls for times of need. Feed your spirituality with regular church and Bible class attendance, prayer, Bible reading, and practicing what you learn. And 3) the best approach to solving problems, whether our own or someone else's is to find helpful solutions. Probably enough others have already cast stones that we need not add ours. "Love is the fulfillment of the Law." (Romans 13:8-10)