And you
will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (NLT)
Whether you use your phone’s
camera, or an old fashioned camera, the principle is the same – focus. You should make certain the camera has
focused-in on the subject before you pull the trigger. When the focus is on what’s really important,
the picture will speak clearly; it will reveal truth about why you took it in
the first place.
Yesterday morning Elizabeth and I worshiped with our nephew’s
congregation in Maryland, and witnessed the sacrament of baptism from this side
of the rail. Following the service, when
the cousins gathered around little Thomas, I snapped a picture. It is a little fuzzy (I think the camera
operator’s hand was a little shaky…or tears got on the lens).
But the image speaks volumes to me:
There’s the obvious family support…cousins gathered
around Thomas; little Finn making sure Catherine won’t drop the precious
cargo.
In the foreground there is a handshake spanning a few generations
and a little banner given the new parents that says “Thank you God for Thomas”.
In the background (in front of the rail) is a fuzzy
little smile from Thomas’ uncle (and Godfather) Anders, that says “I’ll be
there for you…today is a good start, Thomas”.
And in the extreme background is the banner announcing
You Are
Mine. It’s in the liturgy – the pastor said it
twice in his sermon!
But the whole picture of truth I saw yesterday, as the
family gathered to welcome this little one with joy, undergirds God’s prior
claim on this little life. We are here
to nurture and gently guide Thomas’ pathway to Christ, but God is clearly in
focus over it all.
It is a good thing that Thomas’ parents “get it” that
God is ultimately drawing their growing family to Him. That was clear from Daddy’s speech to the
rest of the family as we reassembled back at the house for dinner. Lars thanked all of us for being there and
making this day special. He shared that
when he and Catherine married they took John 8:32 as a guiding verse for their
marriage. Then he reminded us that he
and his generation were standing on the shoulders of the previous generation,
and in that picture of dependent, family strength, their greatest
responsibility and privilege was to lead little Thomas to Jesus. This was the truth that would set him free.
In the seven hours it took to drive back home I
ruminated on that little speech. And it
made my heart glad and full that the “next generation” is in such capable
hands. For those are hands that
understand the necessity of Christ in the home, in the workplace, in the trials
and successes, the everyday and all-day of life. These are the hands fully surrendered to the
leadership of Christ in their home.
Thomas, the little guy (whose grandfather is also
named Thomas), staring at me from the pew in front, didn’t have much of a clue
about all the goings-on yesterday.
But, in time, he will.
Oh yes…Thomas; you WILL! Your parents, your family, your church community
will remind you; they’ll see to it that you know it well.
But most of all, it is God, quietly standing there in the
extreme background who will remind you.
In many ways He will say to you, Thomas, You Are Mine; and that
truth, little one, will set you free.
For You, Today…
Is that kind of freedom
in your life?
It can be. Just ask.
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