Brainer-d

As some of you know, I often read David Brainerd's diary as a source of devotion, inspiration, and motivation to continue to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering.  This morning I was reading John Piper's series called The Swans are Not Silent, which are derived from his biographical studies of the heroes of faith.  This one dealt with the lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd.  There are always nuggets of gold to be found in these studies, and here is one, which is actually a quote from Jonathan Edwards as he reflected on the witnessing of the last 19 months of Brainerd's life and subsequent death at 29 years old from tuberculosis.

"I would conclude my observations on the merciful circumstances of Mr. Brainerd's death without acknowledging with thankfulness the gracious dispensation of Providence to me and my family in so ordering that he ... should be cast hither to my house, in his last sickness, and should die here: So that we had opportunity for much acquaintance and conversation with him, and to show him kindness in such circumstances, and to see his dying behavior, to hear his dying speeches, to receive his dying counsels, and to have the benefit of his dying prayers."

Two things affected me about this.  First, a contextual note; Edwards thanked God for His allowing Brainerd to die at his home for the reasons he mentioned, EVEN THOUGH it probably cost him his daughter, Jerusha.  She had been Brainerd's nurse for the last weeks of his life.  She died of tuberculosis four months after Brainerd.  He noted, "It pleased a holy and sovereign God to take away this my dear child by death on February 14th ... in her 18th year."  It sent chills up my spine to think of the calmness, resolution, and even thankfulness for God's providence in this situation.

Secondly, an impression about the content of this quote.  The impact that Brainerd had on Edwards and his family in just short of five months seemed HUGE.  Thanking God for getting to know him, for the opportunity to care for the sick, for the testimony of the grace given him to die well in faithfulness and satisfaction in Christ, to hear his dying words, wisdom, and prayers.

May it be said of us; may we die well; may people be blessed in watching us die well...

Brevity and Urgency

This week in Tifton, we were all reminded again of two truths: brevity and urgency. Wednesday afternoon, a Tifton Police Officer, named Terry Adams died as a result of injuries sustained in a crash between his patrol motorcycle and a truck that pulled out in front of him as he responded to a call. You can see more about it here at the Officer Down Memorial Page. As the chaplain of the Tift County Sheriff's Office, I was thankful that it wasn't one of my deputies. But as anyone in law enforcement knows, it really affects us all when a fellow officer is killed in the line of duty.

As I reflected on it all, I thought about how quickly life can be taken from us. I was riding with a deputy who had just talked with Terry that morning, and we just shared in shock that he was really gone, just like that. None of us are immune to tragedy. And I drove a little more carefully that day. I thought of his wife and family trying to explain to his four children about the fact that their father would not be coming back. James says life is like a vapor. John Piper says, "Don't waste it." How about you? Are you living as though you are bulletproof? Are you prepared to go today should today be your appointment with death?

Secondly, I thought of the unique opportunity and urgency that those believers like me who work with law enforcement have, and must keep in their minds. These public servants put their lives on the line everyday for us, and we rarely give them a thought, unless we think that we are about to get a ticket. They are a unique group in our society, and hard to reach with the gospel. But we are called to make in roads of faith into their lives best we can. If you have the privilege of having an officer/deputy in your life, please don't take it lightly. Please remember that those that don't have the Son, don't have life.

So, first of all, pray with me. Pray for the Adams family. The funeral is Monday. Pray that officers and deputies will be touched with a sense of their own mortality; and touched by the Holy Spirit, and shown their need for Christ. Pray for opportunities to minister the gospel during this full police funeral. Pray regularly for the law enforcement personnel in your town/county. Serve them as they serve you. Talk to your local agency about ways you can show your support. We have people in our church that randomly do acts of service for the entire Sheriff's Office, and for that I am grateful. It makes the gospel real to them, and my job as a chaplain much easier. And finally, be bold with the gospel of the Greatest Treasure in the universe! Time is short, and the harvest is white and in need of laborers!