I’m doing an early read on two manuscripts from two different ministers’ lives. They are familiar with me, although one is long gone and passed to his reward. The other was my pastor, and someday you’ll understand this deeply – they both poured into me or into someone else who poured into me.
What I remember the most from both is their dynamic preaching and teaching, the power of their leadership, and their love for the object of their calling. Their world was all about people. It wasn’t about their local congregations but many who look(ed) to them for leadership insight.
The younger of these two men may be surprised that I’m taking this moment to compare them, but I think that’s how we all live. Someone can be influential from a different age and time, but whoever they are can impact whoever will allow them.
Then, as I prep for a Sunday message, these unknown words crept through my study. Both men would agree. There’s nothing here that will give us our exit except Christ.
Indulgence says, “Drink your way out.”
Philosophy says, “Think your way out.”
Science says, “Invent your way out.”
Industry says, “Work your way out.”
Communism says, “Strike your way out.”
Militarism says, “Fight your way out.”
Christ says, “I AM THE WAY OUT!”
—Unknown
Osbeck, K. W. (1996). Amazing grace: 366 inspiring hymn stories for daily devotions (p. 185). Kregel Publications.
I would agree with anyone who can agree with this, and maybe you have someone from your past that is equally in agreement with the last phrase, “I am the way out…Jesus!”
As for the manuscripts I’ve been entrusted to read, maybe you’ll read their books someday. I promise to share them when the time is right.
“And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:
Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
32 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.
For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance,
As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.
Joel 2:28-32 NKJV