It Was the ‘Most’ That He Could Do

Suppose you had to make a literal life-and-death decision: Take steps to save the life of someone you dearly loved, or choose instead to protect the lives of dozens, even hundreds of people – at the expense of your loved one? That’s a horrendous question even to ask, much less consider. Hopefully none of us would ever be in that position. Nevertheless, what do you think you’d do?

 

This is the plot of a short film, “Most,” set in the Czech Republic. It’s not new, having been produced in 2003. But it won multiple awards from the film industry, and more than 20 years later continues to draw strong reactions from all who view it. It’s about a single father who takes his eight-year-old son to work with him, never imagining the consequences.

 

The father is the bridge tender for a railroad drawbridge which spans a river. His job is simple – when ships approach, raise the drawbridge until they pass, then lower it so oncoming trains can go over it. One particular day he brings his son with him to work. They’re having lunch when he receives a call that a train is coming, earlier than expected. Since he has just raised the bridge to allow a ship to pass through, he must quickly lower it again for the oncoming train. 

 

Unfortunately, while the father is occupied in the engine room, the son innocently decides to play nearby. He stumbles and falls into the drawbridge’s gearworks, becoming caught and unable to get out. As the father looks down in horror at his son’s plight, he also hears the whistle of the train fast approaching. Instantly the bridge tender is faced with an impossible, no-win decision: Leave the drawbridge up and save his son but cause the deaths of hundreds of people on the train – or lower the bridge at the expense of his son’s life.

 

With no time to weigh pros and cons, he agonizingly lowers the drawbridge, securing the train’s safe passage but resulting in killing his son. Passengers on the train are busy talking and laughing, oblivious to the unthinkable choice the father has make.

 

There’s more to this fictitious story, but as an allegory it asks us to ponder the imponderable. How could a loving father allow his own son to die?

 

It’s not too hard to think of another Father who made a similar choice, one of even greater, eternal significance. Approximately 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ, the Son of God was crucified as God the Father looked on. This was the plan from the start, not an unforeseen circumstance. As Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

 

This wasn’t a death by lethal injection, gas chamber, firing squad, or even hanging. It was being nailed to a wooden cross, regarded by many as the most horrendous, excruciating method for execution ever devised. The Roman Empire made lots of worthwhile contributions that we still benefit from today, but crucifixion wasn’t one of them.

 

But even greater than Jesus’ physical pain was the absolute interruption of the perfect harmony He and God the Father had enjoyed for all of eternity. The reality of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – is something that confounds the human mind. But we read the devastation Christ’s crucifixion caused in His agonizing words, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46).

 

We can’t begin to comprehend what this was like, but the Scriptures leave no doubt as to why it was necessary. The book of Romans states the case with clarity. Perhaps in response to anyone who might claim, “Well, I’m a pretty good person,” or “It doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you’re sincere,” Romans 3:10-12 declares, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

 

Could it be clearer than that? There’s an incredible dilemma, one we can’t resolve: Each one of us is utterly sinful, totally undeserving of the love of a perfect, holy, righteous God. As the apostle Paul confessed in the same letter to believers in Rome, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24).

 

However, in the very next verses Paul writes that God – as only He could – has provided the remedy: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!... Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 7:25-8:1).

 

Another passage expresses both the problem and the solution: “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood…” (Romans 3:22-25).

 

The image of the bridge tender consciously sacrificing his son so the passengers on the train would live gives us a small measure of understanding. However, what the Lord did for us on the cross is of infinitely greater magnitude, literally a matter of eternal life or death. 

As Jesus told his friend Martha after her brother Lazarus had died – and before the Lord raised him from the dead – “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25-26). And as the apostle affirmed with unwavering conviction, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). That truly was the “Most” He could do. 

He’ll Never Plead with Us to Stay

Have you had a time when someone you cared for was going away and you couldn’t bear the thought of it? It might have been a spouse, son or daughter going to college, maybe someone in the military who was being deployed to a distant country – and you felt like begging them not to go. Or a beloved relative who had come for a visit, but it was time for them to leave for home. Knowing you wouldn’t be seeing them again anytime soon, did you want to plead with them to stay longer? 

We’ve probably all experienced this in one way or another. Perhaps it was a love interest who, after having a sharp disagreement with you, was grabbing a coat and preparing to head out the door. Did you desire to implore them not to go?

 

It’s not easy to see folks we love depart, whether it’s simply at the end of a pleasant visit or a more emotional parting. The words well up inside of us, spoken or not: “Please, don’t go!”

 

This came to mind as I’ve been reading some of the interactions Jesus Christ had with people He encountered during His earthly ministry. What has seemed particularly interesting is that if they desired to follow Him, He welcomed them. But if folks wanted to leave, He never begged or pleaded with them to stay. The choice was theirs. 

 

Consider one of the most heartbreaking verses in the Bible. After His feeding of the 5,000, and then a series of stern teachings, many who had avidly pursued Him were having second thoughts. After He declared, “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe,” the passage continues: “From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him” (John 6:63-66).

 

Jesus doesn’t plead, “Hey, don’t leave! Was it something I said?” No, it’s more like He was thinking, “Some people can’t handle the truth.” (You might recall similar words from the movie, “A Few Good Men,” but stated in a very different context.)

 

Then there’s the fellow often referred to as “the rich young ruler,” an account recorded in Matthew 19:16-30. This man approached Jesus and asked what seemed to be a legitimate, sincere question: “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus responded by saying the answer wasn’t complicated: “If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”

 

When the young rich man inquired, perhaps with checklist in hand, “Which ones?” Jesus cited several of the commandments, including not murdering, not committing adultery, not stealing, not lying, honoring parents, and finally, “love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

We can imagine the young rich man smiling and thinking, ‘No problem. I’ve got this!’ So, he replied, “All these I have kept…. What do I still lack?” Maybe he expected Jesus to pat him on the back or give him a hearty, “Attaboy!” Instead, “Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.’”

 

The young man’s jaw must have dropped. He might have wondered, ‘What did He say? Seriously?’ The passage says, “When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.”

 

As was the case with the hangers-on that decided the Lord’s teachings were too demanding, so they left never to return, Jesus didn’t chase after the rich young man, pleading and encouraging him to reconsider. Why? He explained on another occasion, “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it” (Luke 9:23-24).

 

This is what’s often referred to as “the cost of discipleship.” Or as pastor Kyle Idleman described it, the difference between just being a “fan” of Jesus Christ and being a genuine follower. 

 

Jesus doesn’t want fair-weather fans, people eager to hang around Him as long as things go their way. There’s always a cost to following Him. It might not mean giving away all of one’s possessions, but it does require willingness to release anything standing between us and a thriving, eternal relationship with Him.

 

Yes, the Lord loves everyone but He’s not going to implore or cajole anyone to follow Him. In Revelation 3:20 we read His words, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.” Jesus isn’t banging on the door, trying to knock it down. He’s expectantly waiting, ready to enter into the lives of all who welcome Him.

 

The Scriptures don’t tell us if any of those who turned their backs on Christ ever returned. Or if the rich young ruler later determined the riches Jesus offered were far greater than all of his material possessions. 

 

Some of us initially rebuffed the Lord’s invitation but later turned to Him in repentance. He’s patient; in no hurry. The Scriptures tell us, “The Lord knows those who are His,” but we’re also told, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness” (2 Timothy 2:19). God is love, yes, but He’s also righteous and just.

 

There are people like those in the disenchanted crowd, the rich young ruler, or those in Jesus’ parable about people who declined an invitation to attend a wedding feast. But there also are people like the disciples who heard Jesus’ call, the apostle Paul, and many others who earnestly responded to His invitation. 

We all have the same choice to make: Will we follow the Lord or choose instead to follow our own devices? The invitation is extended, but He won’t beg us to come.

Echoes of 9/11 Reverberate to This Day

It’s hard to believe a quarter of a century has passed since many of us witnessed one of the most horrific news events of all time. On Sept. 11, 2001 – today known simply as “9/11” – terrorists commandeered four commercial jetliners. One flew directly into one of New York City’s “Twin Towers”; minutes later a second was flown into the second tower.

Not long afterward, a third jet was aimed at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., while a fourth – because of the heroic efforts of passengers who had learned about the other planes – was prevented from reaching its intended target. Instead, it crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania, killing everyone aboard.

 

Nearly 3,000 people died as victims of the terrorist attacks, not including the 19 hijackers. That included 2,753 in the World Trade Center buildings, 184 at the Pentagon, and 40 passengers and crew in the airliner that crashed in Shanksville, Pa.

 

In the days following, people across the United States experienced unity in a way many had never known. Our nation had come under attack, and its people became unified by mutual grief, fear and uncertainty. Countless thousands assembled together at churches for prayer, entreating God’s guidance, wisdom and comfort. Political and philosophical differences were cast aside.

 

Although that spirit of camaraderie was short-lived, ramifications of the unimaginable terrorist attack continued, many to this day. More than 360 first responders had died after rushing to the crash site in New York; many others died in the years following due to illnesses traced to intense exposure to ash, debris and toxic gases. 

 

Before 9/11, security measures at airports and on airplanes had been relatively minimal. There was no Transportation Security Administration (TSA) prior to that day; there had been no bothersome lines prior to boarding planes to check for possible bombs and weapons. The same was true for major sporting events, concerts and other large public gatherings.

 

Unfortunately, despite the devastation and horrifying images of that day, collectively we seem to have a short memory. A whole generation of young people has been born in the past 25 years, so they have no personal memory of what transpired on 9/11. For some of them, it’s only something from a history book, akin to the sinking of the Titanic or the explosion of the German airship Hindenburg. And some prominent individuals, including elective office holders, in recent years have downplayed the evil acts of that day. 

 

Nevertheless, those of us who observed what unfolded that day, whether via the broadcast media or in person, will never forget it. I’ve a friend who still vividly recalls that morning, knowing that if he had not overslept after watching a late-night pro football game on TV, he might have been among the casualties in one of the towers. He lost many friends that day. What kind of hatred could have motivated such a sinister, unfathomable terrorist scheme?

 

Tragically, this wasn’t an isolated episode of terrorism. Many other malevolent acts have been perpetrated in the two-and-a-half decades since, although not to the scale of 9/11. Prior to that day, America seemed to have existed in a state of innocence – or perhaps, naivete. We couldn’t have imagined such an evil scheme even being conceived. But it was. And today we remember the lives lost, the vile ideology that spawned the acts, and understand the depths to which human behavior can descend.

 

To date there are no remedies, no simple solutions. We can be thankful for intelligence agencies that strive to abort terrorism in its many forms, but we’ve learned that another can occur at a time and place one might least expect. How then are we to respond?

 

For those of us who trust in God’s sovereignty and His mighty power, we can find consolation and hope. As we’re told in Psalm 5:4-6,11, “You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with You the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the Lord abhors…. But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.”

 

The problem of evil remains, along with debates surrounding why a good, loving God can allow such heinous acts. But our confidence is that ultimately not only His love but also His perfect justice will prevail. Writing to Christ followers in ancient Thessalonica who were enduring severe oppression, the apostle Paul stated: 

“…among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecution and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and will give relief to you who are troubled…. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels” (1 Thessalonians 1:4-7).

 

As we hear about and observe the chaos, hatred and malice being manifested all around our world, it would be easy to lose heart. However, we can cling to the assurance of Hebrews 12:28, which declares, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”

 

May we never forget 9/11, the people who perished, the brave souls who prevented mayhem on an even greater scale, and that ultimately what we’re seeing is evidence of a great spiritual war we cannot see: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

David – Shepherd, King, Fugitive, Everyman

What do you do, or where do you go, when you’re discouraged? Under great stress? Facing times of uncertainty? Suffering from grief? Feeling anxious? When you’ve messed up so badly you wonder if it can ever be made right? Or simply needing a hug?

 

People find all manner of ways of handling such things: Alcohol, drugs, eating, physical exertion, immersion in mindless entertainment, finding a shoulder to cry on. Each of these is short-term help at best, but in the end, whatever’s troubling them remains.

 

Over the years, one of my favorite places to nestle in the Scriptures has been the Psalms. I’ve gone there in times of pain and distress, when needing encouragement, searching for direction and wisdom, or simply desiring to feel closer to God. Sometimes like a child wanting to cuddle next to its parent.

 

The Psalms are no more or less divinely inspired than the other 65 books of the Bible, but there’s something about the collection of Hebrew “songs” that touches the human spirit in a manner like no other. Perhaps one reason is because many of the Psalms were written by King David of Israel, who despite his regal standing was quite ordinary in many ways. He had enough flaws and failings to match his strengths and successes. 

 

In an entry in his classic devotional book, Morning and Evening, Charles H. Spurgeon presented an insightful description of the shepherd-king: 

“…He knew the trials of all ranks and conditions of men. Kings have their troubles, and David wore a crown. The peasant has his cares, and David handled a shepherd’s crook. The wanderer has many hardships, and David hid in the caves of Engedi…. He was an able master of the human heart because he had been tutored in the best of all schools – the school of heartfelt, personal experience.” 

 

David is credited with writing approximately half of the 150 psalms. His contributions read almost like the pages of a personal journal or diary, with unvarnished honesty and candor, conveying a vast range of emotions. He didn’t hesitate to admit when feeling afraid, angry, sorrowful, repentant, exuberant, doubtful, or awestruck. 

 

Entire books have been written about the Psalms, but here’s a sampling of observations about David’s expressions of faith in times of both triumph and trouble.

 

He wrote about finding great peace in trusting the Lord, despite enemy opposition the king encountered a lot: “But You are my shield around me, O Lord…. To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake up, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side” (Psalm 3:3-6).

 

A friend has confided in me recently about being wrongfully accused. Perhaps you’ve experienced this as well. King David wrote, “O Lord my God, in you I have taken refuge. Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me…” (Psalm 7:1). He expressed similar thoughts in Psalm 26:1-2, “Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart.”

 

There were times it wasn’t vindication but mercy and forgiveness that caused the king to cry out to God. Seven of his writings are regarded as penitential psalms – songs of repentance – including the sinful burden he carried after his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. He pleaded:

“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight…” (Psalm 51:2-4).

 

How does one recover from the guilt of great sin? David knew it was possible only by God’s grace and mercy, and His restorative power. This was his petition later in the psalm:

“Create in me a clean heart of God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit” (Psalm 51:10-12).

 

In another psalm David wrote his conclusion: “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!” (Psalm 32:1-2). 

 

This is an assurance God offered not only to the Israelite king but also to all of us who profess faith in Him. Because in Romans 5:8 we read, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

 

Drawing from his experiences in shepherding sheep, David often reflected on the comfort and confidence he had in his heavenly Shepherd. In perhaps his best-known psalm, the king wrote: 

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me….” (Psalm 23:1-6).

 

Sheep are helpless, not smart animals. Often during our life’s journey, if we’re honest, we have to admit that we too are helpless and not so smart.

 

There are so many examples in the Psalms we can draw from for encouragement and assurance, but I must include one in which David expressed his great awe of God. He declared: 

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!... When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers…. What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty!” (Psalm 8:1,3-5).

This barely scratches the surface of the Psalms, in which we can learn much about God and His relationship with His foremost creation, humankind. They’re refreshing spiritual water that can be drawn from a bottomless well. I couldn’t urge strongly enough: Drink, and drink deeply. 

Labor Day – Not Just Another Day Off Work

Labor Day is next Monday, and many of us know what that means: College football season gets into full swing this weekend. Hooray! But as millions stream through the gates of collegiate stadiums across the country, and many more millions tune in to watch their favorite teams on TV, we’d do well not to forget the significance of the upcoming holiday itself. 

The history of Labor Day traces back to New York City on Sept. 5, 1882, where the Central Labor Union organized a parade. But it wasn’t until June 28, 1894, in response to strikes over unfair labor practices and public pressure during the Industrial Revolution, that President Grover Cleveland signed legislation to establish it as a national holiday. Its purpose was to celebrate historical achievements such as eight-hour workdays, free weekends, and safer working conditions.

 

Today, many people enjoy it primarily for extending the weekend. Some communities sponsor parades, while many folks plan backyard barbecues and picnics, and take advantage of retail sales events. 

 

Always observed on the first Monday of September, Labor Day deserves to be regarded as more than just another day away from labor. It should be a time for recognizing the intrinsic value of work, along with economic achievements that have helped to build our nation and lift the living standards of countless millions of workers and their families.

 

Sadly, it seems work has been devalued, especially in recent years. The COVID pandemic contributed to this, with millions of American workers either losing their jobs, being sent home to work remotely, or having their work hours drastically reduced as a consequence of shutdowns. But studies indicate the lowered prominence of work in society has persisted post-pandemic.

 

For instance, approximately seven million prime-age men (ages 25-54) reportedly are neither working nor seeking employment. This means adult male labor force participation has declined to below 67 percent, compared to 77 percent in the 1970s and the all-time high of nearly 87 percent in 1948. Numerous factors have contributed to this, but what’s most troubling is that millions of people – men and women – aren’t working, not because they can’t find work but rather because they choose not to work.

 

Some might wonder, ‘What’s the big deal?’ It’s a big deal for several reasons. Most important, work was established by God. The opening chapter of Genesis in the Old Testament, after describing how the Lord pursued His work of Creation, gives us what some theologians refer to as the “cultural mandate”:

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness….’ God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature…. I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food…’” (Genesis 1:26-29).

 

God is a worker, and part of being made in His image is that men and women also are to be workers, tending to what He has created. Because of the original sin of Adam and Eve – “the Fall” – the Lord prescribed that work would become difficult. “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you…. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food…” (Genesis 3:17-19).

 

Despite this, work through the centuries has retained a sense of purpose, even nobility. King Solomon observed, “Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him – for this is his lot” (Ecclesiastes 5:18).

 

Work also is a way of honoring God by wholeheartedly using the abilities and talents He has entrusted to us: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him…. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:17,23-24).

 

A third important value of work is being able to employ our skills, gifts and experience to serve others. We take many forms of work for granted, but have you ever considered what it would be like if there were no one to perform them? 

 

We expect to walk into a clean restroom, but there must be someone to keep it clean. At a restaurant we rely on people to take our orders, serve our food, and clean off the tables when we leave so they’re ready for someone else. To fly anywhere safely requires hundreds of people, starting with the plane’s designers and manufacturers, maintenance crew to put fuel in and make necessary repairs, ticket agents, pilots and co-pilots, flight attendants, cabin cleaners, food preparers, air traffic controllers, and many others.

 

At times we might regard work as “a necessary evil,” but whatever kind of work we do, in one way or another we’re performing an important function for other people. As the apostle Peter wrote, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).

 

Our foremost example is Jesus Christ. Before embarking on His earthly ministry, He was a craftsman. Ultimately, His work was to teach, heal the sick and disabled, feed the hungry, bring a handful of people back to life, and then die on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Jesus always had a clear understanding of why He had come: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

 

So, as you’re enjoying the Labor Day holiday, and perhaps assessing the first full weekend of college football, please don’t forget: God ordained work, He has equipped you with capabilities to do your work, and many people benefit from what you do. Happy Labor Day!

Classic Example of Faith Coupled with Works

The closest I ever got to Dolly Parton was last week, having one of my posts in the same edition of Chattanoogan.com as the news of her passing. Of course, I saw her on TV and in films, and visited her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., but my knowledge of Dolly was secondhand, as it was for most folks. So, I can’t write about her from personal experience. 

But from all accounts, the unique, larger-than-life, immensely talented Dolly left her mark in countless ways. Born and raised in the Smoky Mountains, her determination served to lift her from poverty to fame and fortune most of us can’t even imagine. Her fierce resolve became an inspiration for countless fans.

 

Her professional resume was impressive: Hall of fame singer and songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, author, philanthropist. The list goes on. If one were to select a favorite from Dolly’s hit songs, there would be many from which to choose.

 

For me, what stands out most is that she was a woman of faith. In many of her interviews Dolly spoke about her sense of calling, that God had anointed her for a special purpose and she was determined to fulfill it. Part of this was being an entertainer known for her iconic hairdos, figure, distinctive voice, ever-present smile and upbeat spirit. But she also fully understood the value and importance of what we often hear referred to as “paying it forward” – and living out her faith.

 

Her father was illiterate, and Dolly recognized how being able to read is a key ingredient in the recipe for success. So, she made it a personal mission to empower children to learn how to read and appreciate the joys of reading. This led to establishing her Imagination Library, which has gifted more than 330 million books to more than three million children in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland and Australia.

 

A story about her that I love began in 1988. According to the account, she went to a school in Sevier County – her home county in East Tennessee – and had every 7^th and 8^th grader come into a room. She instructed each to pick a buddy and had them all sign a contract: If both graduated from high school, both would receive a check for $500. If either failed, neither would get paid. Each child would be accountable to the other.

 

Before Dolly made this offer, the county’s school dropout rate was 35 percent. Motivated by the financial reward, students encouraged one another and most stayed in school, lowering the dropout rate to six percent. And she kept her promise, presenting the checks to each young person herself.

 

The next year she gave $500 to every student in the county who wanted to attend the local college. In 2016, when much of nearby Gatlinburg was ravaged by terrible fires, Dolly sent 900 families who’d been affected $1,000 a month for six months. Then, because a charitable fund for fire victims raised much more than expected, she gave each family an additional $5,000.

 

She spearheaded the building of a hospital in Sevier County that included a birthing unit and women’s center. One year she paid the full cost of college tuition, books and fees for every Dollywood employee. Dolly donated $1 million for the aid of victims of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, and her companies matched it. 

 

There were many other significant acts of benevolence, certainly some that received no public notice. But what stands out is not the dollar amount of Dolly’s generosity, but the fact that she put feet to her faith.

 

We live in an age when many prominent individuals – especially in the entertainment industry – talk about the poor and the oppressed, all the while living in the secure confines of their palatial estates. All talk and very little action. Dolly Parton, however, saw needs and used her substantial resources to help in meeting them. Her faith, as well as never forgetting her impoverished upbringing, were among her motivators.

 

In the New Testament book of James, we read, “What good is it, my brothers, if a [person] claims to have faith but has no deeds?... In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:14-17).

 

The Bible clearly teaches that we are not saved by good works, but solely by God’s grace, based on Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross for our sins. From what I’ve read and heard, Dolly Parton understood that. However, she also recognized she was a steward, not only of her talents but also of the material wealth the Lord had enabled her to accumulate.

 

Few people will ever acquire even a fraction of the financial resources Dolly had, but that doesn’t matter. We’re responsible only for what God provides, just as the servants were accountable for what their master had entrusted to them in the parable Jesus told in Matthew 25:14-30. The servants that had faithfully put to use what they had been given were rewarded with more, along with the commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

 

The principle is stated at the end of the passage: “For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him” (Matthew 25:29). In other words, if we prove ourselves faithful in using whatever God has entrusted to us, He will entrust us with more that we can use for His glory.

 

I suspect that as Dolly arrived at the gates of Heaven, she heard two things: “Hello, Dolly!” And “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

How to Begin When You Don’t Know Where to Start

How do you read the Bible – if at all? One of the common questions asked by people who’ve never seriously read the Scriptures is, “Where do I start?” There are many approaches and many possible suggestions, some better than others. 

 

One is to start at the beginning and attempt to read to the end. That’s certainly one way, and I’ve done that. In fact, it was how I read through the Bible when I was a senior in high school. I’d heard about people reading the Scriptures in their entirety, and out of curiosity decided to give it a try. I succeeded but didn’t understand much of what I read. When I finished Revelation, the last of the 66 books in the Bible, I put it on my bookshelf and thought, ‘Well, I’ve read the Bible. Now what should I read?’ How little I knew.

 

If someone were to ask me how to read the Bible, I wouldn’t recommend the front-to-back approach, at least initially. Genesis and Exodus are primarily narratives and relatively straight-forward, but it’s easy to get lost in the “weeds” of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy and become discouraged.

 

Many folks would suggest reading one of the four gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Especially John, since it’s the most theological and clearly communicates how to experience a genuine, growing relationship with God.

 

Over the years, one of my most rewarding practices in reading the Bible has been to read the entire book of Proverbs over the course of a month, one chapter a day that matches the date of the month. There are 31 chapters, so the one-a-day strategy works perfectly for January, March, May, July, August, October and December. The other months require reading more than one chapter on a day or two.

 

I’ve even read one chapter of Proverbs every day for an entire year, going through it 12 times over that span. “Isn’t that kind of repetitive?” someone might ask. But as I’ve said before, reading the Bible is similar to peeling an onion. You remove one layer and find another just beneath it. Each time I’ve a portion of the Scriptures, whether Proverbs or another book, I’ve discovered things that didn’t register the previous time. Here are just a few examples:

 

When we’re younger, life is filled with unending potential and limitless promise. Our strength and energy feel boundless. As we grow older, however, our capacities start to diminish. There are days when it seems our “get up and go” simply got up and went. But there’s a plus side to aging. We gain experience and wisdom; we learn some things that seemed so important really aren’t, and that things that didn’t seem important really are.

 

So, a verse like Proverbs 20:29 helps to put things into perspective: “The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.” Gray hair and wrinkles don’t necessarily mean the person possessing them is wise. Young fools sometimes grow up to be old fools. But most of the time we find we’ve learned much from our successes and failures – especially our failures.

 

Going back just a few verses we find another insight that resonates strongly, especially for those of us who have gone through the highs and lows of everyday living. Proverbs 20:24 states, “A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?”

 

Proverbs 3:5-6, which I’ve adopted as my ‘life verse,’ expresses the same idea a bit differently: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

 

Recently I was talking with a younger man I’ve been mentoring, and he was explaining how his work situation had suddenly taken a dramatic and unexpected turn. The upshot of it has been accepting a totally different job.

 

I tried to encourage him, recalling how my own career path has taken some decidedly surprising turns. Ultimately, I could see how perfectly God was guiding me, confirming as Ephesians 3:20 says, He is “…able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think….” His plans for me and my family were far greater and more rewarding than anything I could have imagined.

 

One more example from Proverbs speaks to a way of bringing calm to a tense situation: “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. As charcoal is to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife” (Proverbs 26:20-21). Can you think of any contemporary applications for this?

 

TV commentators, social media, public gatherings and casual conversations can all serve to stir up hostilities if we let them. Our impulse might even be to add fuel to the fire. The choice is ours. As Proverbs 15:1 states, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

 

These all were compiled thousands of years ago, and yet are so practical and relevant they could have been written yesterday.

Getting back to where we started, there are many ways to start reading the Bible. The important thing is, if you’re not doing it already, simply start and see where the Lord leads you. And if you’re still undecided, just look at today’s date and read the corresponding chapter of Proverbs. You’ll find an unlimited fountain of wisdom.