When I was about 7 years old, a large, single cottonwood tree fell down in our east pasture during a terrific windstorm. A close examination, however, revealed an internal rot that that had been weakening the tree, probably for quite some time. Unbeknownst to anyone driving by, this powerful-looking tree was actually very weak. Cleaning up after a fallen tree is a rather quick and efficient matter - you cut it up and haul it away. Or in the case of our tree, you leave it lay for years until cattle and the Minnesota elements crumble it into pieces.

          But how about a fallen life? What do we do when a human life falls into pieces? How do we clean up that mess? Unlike our solitary tree, people don't grow up all alone or exist in a world of total independence. We mingle with one another's lives. Unless we work hard at it, we can't remain aloof. We eventually lean on each other, our roots get intertwined, and the fruit we bear gets mutually enjoyed. We may even discover we care for one another, and grow to love each other. There's no greater mingler in the universe than human love.

          It is a different world than a generation or two ago. Bad people are finding more ways to do bad things. Children and adults need to be aware of what to do and not do, so we can protect each other from those who would do evil to us.

          But some people are never really known. They may seem open to us, and we may feel we know them, but we may not know the real person who lives within. Sometimes that person has a weak center that grows weaker every day. Perhaps it's from an unhealthy habit, or a slow creeping into dependency. Little wrong things they do go unnoticed and untreated. A little rot creeps in here, a nasty bug attacks silently there, but it's kept secret, or it is excused because, after all, others do it, too. But no one really knows that the healthy looking outside hides an erosion that is slowly weakening the soul within.

          Years may pass uneventfully, and then one day, like that giant tree in our pasture, there is a sudden collapse, a terrible break, that allows everyone to see what is wrong inside. And people around the fallen one are usually injured: family, friends, church members, a watching world. And the clean-up is never efficient, for the damage lingers, sometimes for years.

          I'm sure we can learn several things from this analogy between human life and the tree that fell in the pasture. First: A good start doesn't necessarily assure us of a strong finish. Not even if we stand tall and handsome. Not even if we still produce fruit. You and I must continue to grow stronger, not just bigger. The big ones fall hardest if they grow weak with age.

          Second: Erosion or disease can be at work, even though the bark looks healthy and the fruit tastes good. Don't be fooled by attractive bark only, with its interesting branches, or fascinating leaves. The tree stands up by its trunk, not its leaves.

          Third: Strength comes from the inside of the tree, from the tree's heart, not from its bark. And we may need a few friends to help us keep watch on what's happening to our tree. And maybe we'll even need a tree doctor from time to time. Not just Hollywood celebrities could take a lesson from this point. Beauty or money cannot make a person live strong.

          Fourth: Never try to convince yourself that your fall won't hurt others. More people than you realize watch you, admire you and trust you, and often from a distance. If you collapse, they will be injured. Thus, your strength - or lack of it - directly affects others. We people need to stick together, especially in the church. The enemy picks us off if we insist on going it alone.

          And just in case you may be thinking, " I'm sure glad you're saying this, Pastor Bob, because I know someone who really needs to hear it. And I hope he's listening! " To any who may think thus, remember Paul's words: " Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he falls! " (1 Corinthians 10:12)

          In today's Bible text, St. Paul has been explaining to the Philippian Christians that they should keep their eyes fixed on Jesus Christ. He tells them to press on and not take their eyes off the goal. If they keep their minds and hearts on Jesus and don't let the things of this world take over their life, then St. Paul says, " That is how you should stand firm in the Lord! "

          I get my big feet and hands from my mother's side of the family. She used to say that big feet means a good " understanding. " Big feet help you stand strong when the wind blows. Small feet help the runner, but big feet help the stander. And big ears help the listener, as so forth.

          About a year ago I had a dream, a realistic one, no distortions or weird things in it. And I am uncertain what to make of it. This dream came, as they often do, just as I was waking up and all things about it seemed so very real. It was Sunday morning and people were coming to worship. That day, besides with those who met for the services, about a half dozen or so young folks came, some with Bibles, asking where they could meet for Bible study. I didn't know them, but I said they could meet out back in our small metal shed - it was the only unused building on our church property. They moved out the lawn mowers and all the junk and met there for Bible study.

          They were okay that week, and the next week there were more, and the next week even more. They didn't complain, just wanted to know if there was a larger place where they could meet. I swept the floor, and talked with DCE John about their needs, and he wondered where these young people were coming from. But they kept coming, more and more of them, and meeting in the old metal shed, even sitting outside, and it didn't bother them. They came without PR, without encouragement, without a leader and increased in numbers each week. This dream must be about our need to be ready for the future. It certainly showed the church would grow by God's Word, and not by clever plans. It was all so pleasant and good, and I've been wondering it maybe it was a dream about heaven.

          St. Paul encourages us: " Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord! "

          We stand firm in the Lord when we stand firm on His Word. There is nothing more important for the future of this congregation - and each one of us - than that we stand firm on the Word of God. There will come a time in the near future when Christians will be tested. We are already being attacked by the seemingly innocent bark beetles called inclusiveness and tolerance. We are being told Christianity is no better than other religions - in fact it may be worse. We are told we must stand, not on the foundation of Jesus Christ, but on the mushy ground that all religions are equal.

          But if it is true that all religions are the equal, then why are some killing others in the name of their god? If all religions are equally helpful, then why do some build hospitals while others fill them with the victims of religious suicide bombers? If all religions take us to the same place, then why do some advocate starvation of the poor while their sacred cows walk the streets? If we Christians must tolerate others, why are they not told to tolerate us?

          A tree that looks good can still fall over. The tree in my pasture didn't fall because its roots were bad, but because its trunk was rotten. The roots were in solid ground. It fell because the main stem of the tree couldn't handle the wind.

          Friends, God is telling us to stand firm in the Lord Jesus, not in our wealth, or our technology. We won't handle those storms if we are rooted in pleasure or pride. And the storms are still to come. We may have had a bad winter, but we haven't seen anything yet. Of course I'm not talking weather, but international storms. There are some big ones a-coming. No matter how we may prepare for the future, if Christ is not at our center, dwelling in our heart of life, we will fall hard.

          Jesus Christ is our only hope. It won't be the Army or Navy that saves us when the big battle comes. It will be what's in our hearts. And the strongest heart often resides in the frailest of bodies. The weakened old folks of our nursing homes may be better prepared for the big battles than we who are healthy and enjoy independence. I have seen greater faith in the faces of the aged than I have ever seen among the young and the restless.

Dear friends, faith is what saves us, but it can only be faith in Jesus Christ! Allah will not forgive us, and Buddha will not care for us. There is no general heaven where Moslems and Buddhists and Christians will live together. There is only One True God who shows Himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There is only one heaven where He dwells, and draws believers to Himself by faith in Christ Jesus.

God doesn't call us to kill ourselves in His service. He calls us to trust His only Son. And so Paul encourages us, " Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord! "

here is self-sacrifice in the Christian faith, but it asks no one for their death. Jesus has already done that for us. He sacrificed Himself for us on the cross. He did all that is needed. We just trust Him, and thank Him and live in service to Him. The day may come when others may seek our death, but God seeks our life, earthly life and eternal life.

May God sustain us in all things, and may He grant us faith to stand firm in the Lord always, amen.

Credits:
 
  Epiphany logo designed and provided by Dale Bargmann at daleb@ecentral.com