Will You Still Love Me, Tomorrow?

Over the years, I have appreciated the vast reservoir of wisdom that has been made available to me in response to a question of significant consequence that my dear Luz asks from time to time. “Would you, could you have ever loved another rather than me?”  Though the wisdom that has been shared has been deep and wide, the best answer to such a question can only be found in the recesses of the heart of the one to whom the question was originally presented - mine. How do I respond to my beloved asking me if I could have given my heart to another, when I possess an irrevocable conviction that God ordained our union?

I respond with all the love and commitment that I possess. I assure her that though many wonderful, beautiful, capable, and amazing women crossed my path in my years of singleness - some of whom may have been exceptional life partners in the “would you, could you world” - only she held the key to the combination that unlocked the kind of love that lasts a lifetime in the real world in which we live. Only she had the pin that released the code that ignited the flames of my heart in to a level of holy passion that consumed and continues to consume me body, mind and soul. Only she, Maria-Luz Bautista de Jackson y Roda, is the woman for me.

There are many wonderful women in this world, but only Luz holds my heart in her hands, owns my will at her command, and has the singular and exclusive covenant that identifies me as hers until the Lord calls us home. I offer this verse from the Grass Roots to my Luz, “I’d wait a million years, walk a million miles, cry a million tears! I’d swim the deepest sea, climb the highest hill, just to have you near me!” That's my answer and I'm sticking to it!

The Price of Reconciliation

A LONG but necessary Introduction to an article I recommend, the link of which is found at the end of this reflection.

There are stories that need to be told, but often aren't told because those who experience them are either not in a position to make the stories known, or because of humility those who take risks for the good are usually hesitant to present themselves as heroes. Since 1992, Luz Bautista Jackson and I have served in various capacities as missionaries of the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board, formerly known as the Home Mission Board when our journey with NAMB began.

During that journey, we have met people much like the ones presented in this article. They did what was right, when it was right and it often cost them. I actually rubbed shoulders with Jack Kwok, mentioned in this story and was always amazed by his friendly and supportive manner for newbies like us in the Oho Convention when we first started. This article helps me understand more about his heart and his consistently loving support.

Luz and I were benefactors of people who did what they could to make a difference. The wanted to do something and sometimes, that "something" was calling an eager, yet inexperienced couple, ready to build bridges between people. Richard Alan Duncan, Ken Render, Dennis Betts, Matt Trombley, Kevin Butcher , Paul Rhoads, Jerry Worsham and Jamie Rasmussen, along with countless others took chances and walked with us during very stormy seasons as we joined them in trying to make a difference for the Kingdom of God, among people of different cultures.

As I continue to grow in perspective, my appreciation for these people grows as well. I remember these co-laborers and others like them who embraced us as friends and colleagues. The were not and are not perfect. If perfection is the goal, reconciliation will forever elude us. Along my life journey, I too have made missteps, wrong steps, backward steps and sometimes, no steps where progress should have been made. In many cases, I received much grace and as allowed to press on. Where forgiveness was not extended, I remembered the feeling of hopelessness that came from good intentions rejected out of hand, and have sought to be more gracious in my own dealings when others make mistakes as well.

I share this article to offer a little illumination from the inside. Evangelicals in general and Southern Baptists in particular are favorite targets of those claiming to pursue understanding and unity with the United States between races. While high profile members of any organization or theological bent may make statements that are outrageous and divisive, in a nation as large as ours and groups as large as the Southern Baptist, those with the biggest microphones do not necessarily represent all members of any given group. Also, those fighting the good fight are generally too busy fighting the fight to advertise or "speechify" what they're doing. They are too engaged making a difference than to tell others about it and to do their own promotion as well. In addition, don't expect too many articles or news flashes on pockets of active cooperation and efforts to get along, even when they exist, because good news doesn't tend to attract good coverage.

But do take the time to read this article. The people mentioned therein didn't seek this recognition for themselves. Thankfully, someone noticed the similarities of heart and sacrifice, decided to shine a light on it and to share it for others to be encouraged. Personally, it's great to know that while Luz and I often feel alone, the reality is that God has yet reserved "seven thousand -- all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him." May their tribes increase!

They-paid-a-big-price-for-racial-reconciliation

Respectfully,
Samuel D Jackson

Joy At Calvary

You read a passage hundreds of times. You memorize it. You study it. You preach it. But then, one day, you are gripped by its true significance and it overwhelms you! Jesus, "for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame..."

Because of His love for us and the joy He derived from doing the Father's will, He endured he intolerable. He refused to be overcome by shame, but instead scoffed at it, looked past it, focused on His mission and overcame, loving those who hated Him, forgiving those who punished Him and saving those who had mocked Him, while on the Cross! All He taught on the Sermon on the Mount, He exemplified on the Mount of Calvary!

As the tears flow, the chorus of a great hymn comes to mind,

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty,
At Calvary!

Day 40 of 40 Days of Prayer: Keep on Praying!

As we come to the end of our 40-day period of prayer, let us not close the Book or lock the doors of our prayer closets.  In his writings to the ancient church in Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul gives instructions for the standard conduct expected of those who follow Jesus,

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

While it is always appropriate for churches and groups of Jesus followers to issue a call to corporate or special prayer anytime, everyone who follows Jesus is expected to have a heart and mind attuned to prayer at all times, ever-ready to offer petitions for others and for God’s work in general.  Paul further instructs that this readiness should be accompanied by a joyful countenance and heart filled with thanksgiving in every life situation, knowing that such attitudes please God and demonstrate submission to His will.

Having fulfilled the 40-days of prayer, extend the streak for countless days on end, allowing the Lord to fill you with His joy!  Then, with thanksgiving, keep those you love and all the circumstances of life lifted up in prayer, knowing God cares and He will answer!

As you maintain the daily discipline of prayer, keep your eyes open for a special series of Lenten posts coming soon!  The Lord be with you all!

Your Brother in the Lord,

Sam

Day 39 of 40 Days of Prayer: Pray For One Another’s Strength!

The Journey of faith is challenging, and trials can wear down the heartiest of the faithful.  We are admonished throughout Scripture to pray for one another.  The Apostle Paul presents a helpful example of how to pray for others to be strengthened.  He writes to the Colossian Church,

… since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience …

Paul’s requests on behalf of this church are bold, specific and filled with faith in God’s ability to deliver a righteous answer with power and sufficiency. We must pray for our churches with the same boldness, precision and faith.  As we run with perseverance, we must ask the Lord to provide the endurance and strength we need to complete the work He has given us and to build up others as they do the same.

Day 38 of 40 Days of Prayer: Raise the Temperature!

When people feel that their spiritual enthusiasm has grown either cold or lukewarm, they often wonder how they arrived at such a state? Romans 12 gives us a good indicator of what might cause such an attitude by giving instructions on how to maintain one’s fire for the faith.  It states,

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Spiritual zeal is directly connected to spiritual service.  Conversely, if one does nothing for the Lord and merely pursues the accumulation of “spiritual knowledge” or engages in pious posing with no true spiritual fruit that impacts lives, one can expect one’s enthusiasm to wither and die.

Therefore, let us engage in vigorous service for God and others, “keeping our hands on the plow,” and demonstrating our faith by our works.  By working hard for the Lord we will stoke the fires of our own hearts for God and inspire others who see what we do to glorify God and devote themselves to service as well.

Day 37 of 40 Days of Prayer: Telling the Story Everywhere You Go!

In the Book of Acts, before His ascension, Jesus instructs His disciples to be witnesses for Him,

in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Jesus wasn’t calling his team to ritualistic enterprise in familiar places.  He was calling them to share life and to share the transforming power of His Message with everyone they met, everywhere they went, inviting those they encountered to experience the transforming power of God they themselves had experienced.  It was a call not to make converts to a system but believing followers to a new way of life.

This same call remains for those of us who follow Jesus today.  Let us share the Story that has transformed our stories and invite others to walk alongside us everywhere we go!