Through and After the Fire

There will be difficulties we will encounter, even as believers in Christ. Our walk with God does not exempt us from trouble, but He sustains us in our trouble. 2nd Corinthians 4 reminds us:
8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

This reflects the proper attitude of a believer in crisis.  Yes, there will the storms of life, the fires that we encounter, yet we know God goes with us.  We don't ignore our pain or live in a state of denial - instead, we embrace that we are struggling and allow God to give us His strength, so that we might know His love more deeply.  And, He manifests His love through His people - we are called to be sensitive to needs and allow the Lord to use us to stand with those who struggle.   

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Peter reminds the readers in 1st Peter chapter 4 that tribulation will come, and we can respond by rejoicing. We can read these verses:
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

In times of tragedy, the goodness of God will bring people together.  And, when others are hurting we can reach out to lend a helping hand.

Such was the case of a bivocational pastor in Lenoir City, Tennessee, which is just outside of Knoxville. The Tennessee Baptist publication, The Baptist and Reflector, ran a touching story recently that was also found on the new national website launched by The Alabama Baptist, called, The Baptist Paper.  

In early April, Kenny Palmer, who is a bivocational pastor and a deputy for the Loudon County Sheriff's Department, was informed by a dispatcher one night that his house was on fire. Fortunately, his wife and their youngest son were not home. Their oldest son was with him. Kenny said, “Everything we owned was gone in a moment...” And, he related that he thought, "What do we do now?” But he said, "I knew God would take care of this." One of the losses was, as the article says, "the Bible that he had been given when he was ordained as a deacon and the one he has used since he was called to preach."

But, that's only part of the story - the community, including the family of God, came along side the Palmer family; Kenny relates, “It is a testament to God to see how people have supported us with money, clothing and prayers. God really showed up.”

The article relates that Phil Holmes, director of missions for the Loudon County Baptist Association said, “Several of our churches are taking up special offerings for them. Our association leadership also offered them a sizable donation to help them back on their feet...," adding, "We have seen a very strong outpouring of the love of Christ to bless this amazing family...Thank you to all who donated clothing, gift cards to restaurants and other items while they are staying in a hotel, and thank you for your prayers for the Palmer family.”  Even while the fire was in progress, area pastors were reaching out to their fellow servant, according to the article.

And, God has opened up doors for Kenny Palmer to share his testimony of God's faithfulness during this time of difficulty on local television stations. 

Regarding the support he has seen, Palmer states, “It has been very humbling,” adding, “The Lord will use whoever and whatever to bless His people. He has done that and it has been amazing.”

First of all, as we reflect on this story, it begins with the tragedy.  We will all have adversity enter into our lives.  How we allow it to affect us is key.  Pastor and Deputy Palmer chose to trust God even when he lost his earthly possessions in a fire, yet, he and his family saw the heavenly outpouring of God's faithfulness. 

The tragedy, the fire, was just the beginning of the story. The Palmers' house was burned down, and that could have been regarded merely as a devastating loss, with the family left to pick up the pieces. But, then God showed up.  And, that is also instructive for us - we don't have to draw our own conclusions and get caught up in a human response.  We can trust God and look for His hand, which was certainly all over this situation.

The response of compassion kicked in. And, that is the beauty of the work of the Church - where we see a need, we are called to meet that need. By so doing, we show the world the love of Christ. And, that response gave Kenny Palmer a greater story to tell, as he had the opportunity to relate God's work.

We can recount how God has been present during our times of challenge, and there is the further story to be told of what God did after it.