By Joe Widick
When our oldest son was at Freed-Hardeman, we would go down from time to time for visits. On one occasion we decided to go to the battlefield at Shiloh. We were going to have a picnic lunch followed by going to various parts of the park where the horrendous battles had been fought. We stopped at the Hornets’ Nest, Peach Orchard and Bloody Pond. It was a moving day, to think about what had taken place at each of these strategic locations. It was at the Bloody Pond that things changed for us. I pulled up into the parking area and we all unloaded to view the area. When we returned to the car, it would not start! A wonderful day changed and became a day of concern. How expensive would it be to get someone to come to the park to either tow our car or fix it. I didn’t even have a credit card, and I knew there was very little funds in the checking account. My knowledge of cars is about equal to my knowledge of the theory of relativity. I was between the proverbial rock and hard place. The car was in park, the gas gauge showed plenty of gas. I raised the hood like an experienced mechanic and looked. I don’t know what I was looking for but there had to be something to see. Accidentally, I looked at the battery and realized that one of the cables was loose. It was a simple fix for the now confident mechanic.
Do you remember the words of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:16; “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Do you get what he is saying to us? Each of us has a work and each of us are needed in order to keep the church moving forward. It doesn’t matter if you think you are a small insignificant part, you are still a part. All it took for me to get a car going was the turn of a wrench. That little bolt that was tightened may not have been as complicated or as important as the transmission, but when it was not doing what it was supposed to do, I was stranded, I couldn’t move at all. Failure to do your part may hinder the whole body from functioning properly. Your failure to pray may result in the loss of power. Your failure to tell someone about the love of Christ may prevent someone from coming to an understanding of the truth. Your failure to give as you have prospered may prevent a good work from being accomplished. Your part, my part and everyone else’s part if neglected can cause problems. It has been stated that faithfulness in little things is a great thing. Ask yourself am doing my part for the kingdom. Would I be missed if I didn’t use the talents that God has given me? I think the answer is a resounding YES!
By Joe Widick
Maybe you have met one of those individuals who regardless of what happens, no matter how richly they have been blessed, they still feel a need to complain. When the sun shines, we need rain, or when it is a warm early spring day, it is too early to be this warm. I read a story about a farmer who was known for his negative attitude, he was a constant complainer and everyone knew it. One day a neighbor stopped by and commented on the farmer’s wonderful crop. “You must be extremely happy with this year’s harvest,” he said. The farmer grudgingly replied, “Well yes, it looks like a pretty good one, but a bumper crop is awfully hard on the soil.”
I am certain that all of us can reflect back into the Old Testament, looking at God’s chosen people and see a complaining attitude. I have often struggled with why they were like that. It seems of all people they should have a spirit of gratitude. God had miraculously taken care of them time and time again in their wilderness wanderings, yet they constantly complained. Whatever was done for them didn’t have a lasting effect of gratitude. Remember how they griped about the manna that God had so graciously provided for them. The Israelites would look back to their time in Egypt, seemingly forgetting their enslaved state in Egypt, and recall the fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic of Egypt. As they reflected on that time they whined to God and said; “There is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!” (Numbers 11:6). What ingratitude!!
I am certain that all of us have felt the effects of our economy. For some it has been more difficult than others. I am also certain that many have felt the pain and hardship of disease. With each adversity one might be tempted to forget how good and gracious our God is. We may even find ourselves focusing in on the negatives rather than on the positives of life. Some may even murmur against the Lord when we should be praising Him for His countless blessings. We let ourselves be distracted by the disappointments and deprivations that God allows for our spiritual good.
During this season of the year when we are more focused on being thankful, let us challenge each other to move away from complaining and in turn count our many blessings. We don’t want to be a people who go through life standing at the complaint counter. Whenever we are tempted to grumble, let’s try to remember Numbers 11:1, “When the people complained, it displeased the Lord” None of us desire to displease our God!
By Joe Widick
I could write many columns about Molly. She came into my life when our oldest son left for college. Even though I tried not to show it, it became obvious that I had a real attachment for her. She was special. The attraction might have been that she was filling a void that had been created by our oldest son going to college. I was even bold enough to take her the two and half hour trip to Freed-Hardeman so Marty could officially meet her. Through the coming years I had my ups and downs with her. I remember one Christmas she did the unspeakable. It was a Wednesday night and I was in church. It was on that night that Molly decided to help herself to a package of Hersey Kisses that were wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree. She carefully unwrapped as many as felt comfortable eating. When I got home from church our little Schnauzer, Molly was too sick to look guilty. Elaine and I developed affection for her through the years. Through the process of time Molly grew older and older and her health declined to the point we had to have her put to sleep. It was a difficult day to say good bye to a companion who had become a real part of our family. It is interesting to note that many changes in our lives represent loss, whether as small as the cherished memory of a little dog or as large as a destroyed family home, a thwarted dream of success, or the death of a person we’ve deeply loved. It seems that in each loss there is a longing for a touch of healing and hope.
I read recently that the book of Lamentations has been called “the funeral of a city.” In it, Jeremiah mourned the captivity of his people and the destruction of the beloved city of Jerusalem. Jeremiah lamented the loss of a place he loved and cherished. Yet in the midst of sorrow, there is a celebration of God’s faithfulness. You probably remember the words clearly. Maybe you have read them recently as you tried to deal with a loss, or some unexpected challenge in your life. Jeremiah said; “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ’The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ’therefore I home in Him!”’ (Lamentations 3:22-24). It is important for us to remember that when our hearts hurt because of loss, we can still find hope in the Lord. The Lord who never changes! One writer expressed these thoughts in a more poetic way when he said; “When the sunshine of God’s love meets the showers of our sorrow, the rainbow of promise appears.” Let each of us determine to hold on to the promises of God. These promises will lead us, encourage us, and give us hope for a better tomorrow.
By Joe Widick
It is one of those stories that are difficult to imagine ever taking place. I guess it lets me know that people are willing to do whatever they need to do in order to survive. You may have read or heard the story on the news. It was back in 1993 that Bill Jeracki got caught in a terrible situation. He had been fishing by himself in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. He became trapped when a boulder fell on his leg and he was unable to free himself. As night came increasingly closer, Bill realized that something had to be done or else he might die from exposure to the elements during the night. Relying on his skill as an assistant to a doctor at a Denver hospital, he took a nylon rope our of his tackle box, tied it tightly above the knee, and cut off his leg with his knife. He then dragged himself to his car and drove ten miles to the nearest town. He not only survived the traumatic experience, he flourished! With an artificial limb he is out fishing again. Bill Jeracki made the very best decision and saved his life.
Wow!! What a decision—your leg or your life! I would guess that most if not all of us will not find ourselves in a situation like Bill was in. However, I am afraid that most if not all find ourselves in a much more serious situation. Suppose you had to choose between giving up some habit, ambition, career move, or relationship and giving up heaven. Have you ever found yourself saying “no” to a situation because you were aware that following that path would only lead to more dangerous situations, situations that could eventually cost you your soul? On one occasion Jesus was discussing matters with his disciples concerning His death. During that discussion Christ made the issue of following Him a very decisive issue. Looking at the twelve he had selected to become apostles he said “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26). In the context of the situation the Bible is silent about any reaction by the disciples to that question. I wonder what went through their thoughts at this time. Their commitment needed to be real, not just a passing fad. It has been said that he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. How would you answer the question of Jesus?
