Thought for the Week
Bill was a proud man. Trust me, I know because I have an excess of pride myself. Bill played the lead role in my production of A Man for All Seasons, a play about the British saint Sir Thomas More. Bill’s audition was brilliant, but as rehearsals went on it became clear there was a wall around his heart. And no one, not his director (me), and certainly not the God of Sir Thomas More, was allowed past that wall.
His acting pyrotechnics were undeniable. But his heart never came out to play. “I can’t cry,” he admitted just before the play opened, “but don’t worry, I know how to fake it.” His talent—and the wall—were on display nightly.
Thirty years later, a mutual friend, Laurie, sent me a message that Bill had had a heart attack. “Pray,” she said. “God is using this. For the first time he’s admitting he needs someone other than himself.” But Bill managed to slip past death’s door, and reconstruction on the wall began immediately.
Then, after two more years, his lone wolf heart broke down for the final time. Laurie, and several others, visited him regularly, telling him about—and displaying—the love of the God he’d never let past that wall. Slowly, weakened by a broken dam of others’ tears, the wall began to crumble. Bill died, confessing his need for the God who’d never ceased to seek him.
When I think of Bill, I think of that tenderest of all Christmas carols, “Away in a Manger.” Because it is, in fact, a nursery rhyme, the song closes with the words, “Be near me lord Jesus, I ask you to stay close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care, and fit us for heaven, to live with you there.”
It took God a lifetime to fit Bill for heaven, but he finally did. God’s love is ruthless. It stops at nothing, certainly no human-made wall. But then, he’s a father and fathers are like that. I’ll see you on the other side, Bill. As soon as the last vestiges of my wall are down, and the Father is finally finished…
Fitting me for heaven.
Great story for today. Thank you.
My privilege, Andrew.
“God’s love is ruthless.” That gave me chills!
Are you familiar with the root word behind “follow” in Psalm 23:6? “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”
The word is יִ֭רְדְּפוּנִי (yir·də·p̄ū·nî), and it means “to pursue, chase, persecute.” It is commonly used in the Bible to describe how one army chases down another that is in retreat. God is not passive about the state or our souls and He is coming for us like a relentless hunter!
What a wonderful footnote for this post, Abe! It makes me think of Francis Thompson’s famous poem “The Hound of Heaven.” Looking back, I have no doubt that I was ruthlessly “pursued” by God.
Mitch, I always thought the words were “take us to heaven,” but these are a lot more profound. Thanks for sharing them.
I’m glad Bill finally came around, but I admit, part of me is angry that a life was all but wasted. I really believe those who wait til the last minute to get right with God are going to have so many regrets thinking of all that could have been. There are those I have been praying for, literally for decades, and as time passes, it breaks my heart to think what they’re missing.
I couldn’t agree more, Annie.
Thank God for his relentless pursuit of each of us!
Amen, Joy!
So so touching and so relatable. So sorry for your loss!
The journey can be quite turbulent.
It certainly can, Rosaliene.
This brought tears to my eyes, Mitch! “Fitting me for heaven!” I’m so happy Bill was “fit” at the end. Thank you, God, for surrounding us with others who will spread your message of truth and love. This is precious. 🙏❣️
Bless you, dear friend.
You too. Thank you🙏🏻
Beautifully penned!
Indeed, so beautifully penned that it can move a reader like me (who disagrees with the theology on all counts).
Thank you, Chaya.
This is beautiful: “Slowly, weakened by a broken dam of others’ tears, the wall began to crumble.” May we all have friends and acquaintances such as these. Thanks for sharing, Mitch. 🙂
My privilege, Nancy.
So glad Bill finally said yes to Christ! May those who knew him and shared in his hesitancy see the wisdom of Bill’s decision and follow his example. I too praise God that he never gives up his pursuit of each lost sheep.
Often people who accept life and others as they are believe also believe life’s all about not being bad….earning it like the older brother in the prodigal son story. My husband was like that. He was a good man, but didn’t know the joy until he was fighting cancer for his last two years and was dependent on others’ love. Somehow that opened his heart and he found the joy of being loved unconditionally by God.
What a lovely testimony. Unfortunately, WordPress says this is from Anonymous.
This touched my heart ❤️. Away in the manger has always been a sentimental Christmas carol for me. Sang it with my kids so much when they were little, and while my son may be away from God, now I know he has that song in his heart. And that God will keep knocking on his heart!
Indeed He will, Carolyn!
🥰
Me too, Mitch… though much of the wall has been chipped away since coming to know our precious Savior, it is evident that there is still work to be done. Pray for me and I will certainly continue to pray for you…as you touch so many lives with your poignant posts. You are a treasure, dear brother! 🙏🏻✝️🙌🏻♥️
Likewise, sis!
Thank God for His relentless pursuit and His love for us all. Fit us for Heaven till we live with you there – I like that very much.
Encouraging!
it is so sad when we cannot cry. Like you say as if there is a wall inside ourselves not allowing us to be ourselves at all.
And how it takes something drastic like the heart attack to start “deconstructing” it…
Sorry for your loss but pleased to hear that Bill found God.
Beautiful post
Thank you, Dalray.
The last words of Martin Luther, that great leader of the Reformation, were just hours before his graduation: “We are beggars; this is true.”
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Yup, the Lord is all about saving, and then molding and fitting those who trust Him for heaven. I’m looking forward to meeting Bill there.
<3
Amazing and inspiring story! God does love us and pursue us and will one day welcome us home.