Are we there yet?

September 7, 2021

Dear Friends,

The Christian faith is profoundly simple. It is simple in spite of our best efforts to complicate and confuse and confound. What the kids know so well is what matters most of all: Jesus loves me, and so he died for my sins.

In your struggle against the flesh, in your struggle against your sinful desires and the temptations that attack you on every side, do not forget this basic truth: Jesus loves you, and so he died for your sins.

It is difficult to undertake a struggle when you cannot see the end. It’s like taking a trip and not knowing how far you have to go. Think about how tough it is for little kids to go on a long car ride. You can explain what 8 hours means, but they can’t picture it. At some point they begin to wonder whether you’re ever going to arrive. And those questions of, “Are we there yet?” are really the beginnings of despair. It honestly feels like you’re never going to make it.

But mom and dad know the end. They know how far it is to go. They know when the trip will be over. And they know that once it’s over, all that frustration and grief over the interminable car ride will be forgotten as the kids dive into the arms of their loved ones and are so happy to see them.

You don’t get to know when this struggle will end. You don’t get to know when it will ease up and when it will be more difficult. You don’t get to know what your heavenly Father knows perfectly.

But you do know this: Jesus loves you, and so he died for your sins. And so you know where the struggle ends. It ends in Resurrection and Life. It ends in purity and blamelessness. It ends with everything forgiven, every promise fulfilled, and your love made perfect in Jesus.

In the meantime, your heavenly Father hasn’t just handed you a tablet or turned on a movie to keep you occupied and quiet in the back seat of the van. He has given you plenty to do. Stuff that matters. Stuff that is meant to give you a share in his joy. Stuff that, when you spend yourself on it, produces the fruit of righteousness.

So be busy in this struggle. Fight your flesh. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Love God. Serve your neighbor.

Now, that is all far too much when things start to get complicated, so let this simplicity crowd out the confusion: Jesus loves you, and so he died for your sins. That’s what matters most.

If you’re in doubt, find one of the kids and ask. They’ll tell you.

God bless and keep you,

Pr. Buchs

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