C. S. LEWIS' ADVICE FOR TODAY

        In 1939, when Germany invaded Poland and ignited the fuse of World War II, British theologian C. S. Lewis preached a sermon to his students at Oxford called, “Learning in War-Time.” Although written 81 years ago, his advice is relevant today when our enemy is uncontrollable disease. Lewis identified three enemies which must be faced, and I’ve applied them to our current crisis.

        The first enemy is “DISTRACTION.” News sources overwhelm us, make us anxious, and almost paralyze daily life. The incessant, ever-changing information attacks us 24 hours a day with global death and destruction. It’s like watching a slow-motion train wreck, pulling us from work and trapping us with regulations we don’t like or trust.

        Lewis’ advice: Look at history. “Human life has always been lived on the edge of a precipice,” he said. Our present troubles are more normal than abnormal, for we live in a fallen, sinful world. Let us draw courage from knowing past generations survived, by God’s grace, and so shall we.

        The second enemy is “FRUSTRATION.” What if … I can’t get back to work? … my life will all be changed? … the economy won’t recover? What if…. (you fill in the blank)?  Lewis’ advice: Pray for strength to live for today and leave the future to God. Worrying about the future solves nothing. “You may as well leave the future to God,” Lewis said, because His grace will certainly be in it, whether we leave it to Him or not.

        The third enemy is “FEAR OF DEATH.” What if I get sick and die? What about my loved ones? I know everybody dies, but I’m not ready! Lewis’ advice: Rather than being fearful or stoic or angry, accept the fact that this virus shows us our own mortality. Psalm 90:12 prays, “Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” Such an attitude will help us make the most of the days we have left.

        This current world crisis can either overwhelm us, or it can keep us on our toes to focus on the beautiful and good things of life. Rather than being distracted, frustrated or fearful, let us live each day with courage and faith. We are not the first to live through a huge crisis and we won’t be the last.

Life is precious, so let’s use our time wisely.

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

THE TOMB WAS EMPTY!

        Despite all the fear, caution, threats and drastic measures taken to contain the effects of the current virus, yesterday’s Easter observance was held anyway. All over the world people rejoiced in their faith that the tomb was empty because Jesus truly had risen from the dead. However differently their rejoicing may have been, however separately their worship brought them together, God’s people still rejoiced and said, “He is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!” 

        Carol and I worshipped at our desktop computer terminal as we sang, prayed and listened to the Gospel through an online Lutheran worship service. Afterwards we took part in an Easter Parade of three or four dozen decorated golf carts that paraded through our streets nearby. Easter Breakfast for two was a feast!

        In the Easter message, our pastor quoted Rev. J. W. Ylvisaker, a Norwegian Lutheran pastor and former president of Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, which he wrote 100 years ago in his commentary, The Gospels, “The resurrection is the Father’s ‘Amen’ to the words of the Son on the cross, ‘It is finished.’ The blood of the sacrificial Lamb was accepted by the Father. Therefore His resurrection is the judgment of acquittal for the world.”  

        The resurrection of Jesus is God’s “Not Guilty!” verdict for us all. With faith in Jesus, we are all forgiven. Nothing more is needed for us to stand before the Lord as men, women and children who’ve been freed from eternal death by what Jesus of Nazareth did for us in leaving the tomb empty. 

        Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.”

        Since the time of Jesus, the world has tried to deny, change, silence or scorn the Gospel, but it can never snuff out the light of faith Christ’s resurrection brings to the millions and millions who Trust Him for salvation. “The word of the Lord remains forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)

Our churches may be empty, but so is His tomb!

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

“What’s going on in our world? Who is doing this to us?” Such questions swirl around like the wind as the stock market bounces up and down. People asked the same kind of questions during the Great Depression (1934), after Pearl Harbor (1941), or when the Twin Towers went down (2001). This raging Covid-19 virus has all but shut down our country.

What makes our world unstable? Perhaps we should look to see what we’re doing to make it this way. People have always sought less troubled times. When peace finally comes, or life is more prosperous, or medicine brings a disease under control, then we feel better. We want life to be dependable, more predictable and safer. 

King David’s reign gave people reason for hope because he sought God’s will, despite his sins and the rebellion of his son. His son Solomon’s reign brought prosperity and peace, but that ended when his government disrespected God. The people then may have asked, “What’s going on in our world? Who is doing this to us?”

We must never trust in human rules and traditions alone. “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man in whom there is no salvation,” says Psalm 143:3. Peace and prosperity may occur for a time, but sinful ways always bring back instability. 

Rather, we should, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t depend only on what you know. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Lord Jesus, direct us in life, take away this disease, and give us Your peace.

Rev. Robert L. Tasler, www.bobtasler.com