The following is written by Don Ashley, my older brother. It came at a time when I, and others, really needed to hear it.
Click HERE to hear this essay read by the author's brother, Dennis Ashley.
Dear friends are dealing with a new source of grief in their family. It’s not easy, and it follows on the heels of other very raw feelings of grief. I’d like to help, I’d like to give them the Bible verse that would alleviate their pain. I’d like to reach into our resources and pull out a solution for them. But the grief continues. All too often our prayers are in the category of banging our fists on God’s chest, and crying why! Why did this happen! What went wrong! What do I do now! I do want to include a few thoughts here, because in a time of suffering like this—this is where I go. This is what I cling to. Nothing fancy, no deep theology, just a relationship with God that gets subtly hinted at in the Bible.
The scene is the disciples, gathered with Jesus, in Acts 1. It's an extended visit rather than the drive-by sightings previously described. The disciples are therefore excited. They sense a big change, they sense that their leader is a leader with unparalleled power. They get up the courage to ask, "Lord, is it at this time that you are going to establish your kingdom?" It's a natural assumption, and they are eager for the information. That leads us up to Acts 1:7, when Jesus says "It's not for you to know...but you will receive power". How often we hear the 8th verse, that begins with "but". This is so often the situation we see, or even enter ourselves. What we're facing, blindly, makes us eager for the information, that is, the answer. But the spiritual answer is that power is more valuable than answers. The power to go through. The power to get through. It's a test of faith, because, desperate for answers, we trudge on, trusting that God is aware and acting on our behalf. And in the times we need it most, we start out by feeling that promise as weak. So how do we proceed? It isn't by giving answers. I cried out to God when I was unable to help someone, feeling that the equipment we are given is woefully inadequate. What do we have! Well, we can think. And then, we can give a comforting hug. We can pull out an encouraging Bible passage. We can pray for, and with, the person in need. We have the comfort and support of others for us as well, and we have the Holy Spirit. I am embarrassed to admit that I complained to God that those "tools" seemed woefully inadequate. What I wanted was a spell, or a staff of power, or something else of Biblical origin that could slay the problem before me. But the comfort did come--in the sense that list of tools is all anyone is given, or, guide me if you know another! This list, I believe, is the plan of God. And if I use it right, I'll see that I am never intended to be the answer-man. That God's plan is two-fold: my job is to enter the relationship again, with the person that needs me, but the second, best part, is to remember that it is God who does the heavy lifting. Take His yoke? Really? I like to think I'm helping, and God smiles and looks that the weakling in the yoke-bar beside Him and says, "See, we can do this. I'm seeing that image of the tiny lion cub roaring in victory, but it is the Lion King behind the cub doing using his power.
I can usually sum up my need by recalling a simple little song we used in Vacation Bible School, because I loved watching the kids sing it. It was a key to relief for me—it might not be the key to unlock your need, but perhaps it will bring you closer to the One who says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…”
At a time like this.
At a time like this.
At a time like this, OHHH!!!
I need the Lord to help me.
