Wandering Course

(a letter to myself)

It doesn’t take long for a wayward heart to run off course and find itself wrapped in thorns, bemoaning its pitiful estate. Oh, wretched we are; small men and women who own no true hands to hold steady upon the rudder of the ship that is our body. A curse is upon those who know the good they ought, but do not.

What defense shall you make? “My eyes were closed, and I could not see!” Has he not commanded that you be alert, for the enemy is near? “I was carried away as if without choice!” Were you not told to stand, and after all is done, still stand? “But I am weak and have no strength in myself to withstand!” Do you doubt the strength He pours into you? Are you not partakers of a divine nature? “I could not resist!” What of the promise that your resistance of the devil will surely be victorious?

Indeed, weak the heart that stays not the course.

Indeed, foolish the lamb that strays from the flock.

But how gracious the hand of the shepherd who gathers to him all those who wander! He is a sympathetic king over the flock, for he has stood in our place and felt the tug of the earthly tides. He has felt the sting of thorns but carries no scars from their entangling. Not only so, but he delights to carry his lambs from the thickets into which they stumble, teaching them ever so gently to stay the course. None are beyond his care, therefore,

“Let us not be discouraged by the small beginnings of grace, but look at ourselves as elected to be “holy and without blame”. Let us look upon our imperfect beginning only to enforce further striving for perfection…Christ values us by what we shall be, and by what we are elected unto. We call a little plant a tree because it will grow up to be so.” (Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed)

Do not be utterly beyond hope because of your low estate. Instead, stand in awe of the God who has stooped so far to lift us. Be amazed at the heights to which we will, in the end, ascend. It is said that we shall be Christ’s brothers and sisters; that we will be seated with him upon the throne of God; that we shall see him, and be like him. Think more of Christ than of yourself, wretched man. Gaze more upon the goal than the road. The Lord is with you, you shall not utterly fall.