I love a good mystery. Whether it be a novel, play or a movie, I’m in. I grew up reading The Hardy Boys and watching TV mysteries often. Recently my son and I saw the movie, Knives Out. Although it was primarily a tongue-in-cheek nod to serious mysteries of old, there nevertheless was an intriguing plot, not revealed until the very end of the movie. I loved the creativity.
As the Apostle Paul is unfolding the mystery of the good news, he begins chapter two by explaining how dreadful things are without Christ. We are spiritual corpses in death valley. We are without hope, dead in our trespasses and sins, trapped in bondage and simply put, lost.
Two simple words change everything. “But God” found in verse four of chapter two. Without those words, we would have been doomed to a fruitless, boring and meaningless life.
Paul goes on to say that it is because of two things: God’s boundless love and fathomless mercy. There is no end to either. Because of that he made a way out of death valley, namely by His great grace. We can easily run out of superlatives to describe the matchless dimensions of God’s love, grace and kindness toward us. We are given a gift. Nothing is earned.
In keeping with the unfolding mystery theme, I thought of a song written and sung by David Wilcox: “Show the Way.” Here is part of that song:
“If someone wrote a play, just to glorify what’s stronger than hate would they not arrange the stage to look as if the hero came too late? He’s almost in defeat, it’s looking like the evil side will win. So, on the edge of every seat from the moment that the whole thing begins. It is Love who mixed the mortar, and it’s Love who stacked the stones and it’s Love who made the stage here, though it looks like we’re alone. In this scene set in shadows like the night is here to stay. There is evil cast around us, but it’s Love who wrote the play. For in this darkness Love will show the way.”
Whether you are still lost in death valley, or at an uncertain crossroads, Jesus can show you the way.
Chip Whitman
Pastor of Care & Counseling