Though this is about Christian marital counseling, it’s good for single people to watch as well because in it, he connects how our relationship with God plays out in our relationship with people.
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Love With A Jackhammer
(Me, the pastor, and Eggie)
You go through phases as you live abroad. When you first get there, all you can see are the differences. First it’s just the obvious differences of language, lifestyles, and quality of life. Then it’s the differences in cultures and customs, and slowly that starts to reveal thought processes and worldviews; the deeper stuff that underlies all of those bigger differences. Around that time I think you begin to see the similarities between your home culture and new culture as well. The differences aren’t so imposing and the similarities make it all welcoming.
One way you notice differences and similarities is by looking at how people do their jobs. Every culture has teachers, politicians, policemen, grocery store clerks, doctors and so on. Observing those shared professions help give you insight into the larger culture as well.
Then, sometimes, something happens and you’re reminded of just how different it is.
About a month ago one of the elders of the church here died. It was a little sudden though not unexpected. He had been at the church for a long time, it was like his second family, and from what I understand he was dearly loved by the congregation.
The pastor of our church is a great guy; hugely generous, caring, and passionate. Part of the Monoglian/Buddhist tradition is that, when someone dies, everyone visits the family’s house to share food and mourn. This happens for a period of days (if not longer). So, as the pastor, he was at the family’s house to comfort and counsel. In the midst of his own grief over the loss of his friend, he ministered to his friends’ family through that mourning period.
Then, not only did he have to officiate his friend’s funeral, but because he was his friend and pastor, he helped dig the grave. How many pastors, or people in general for that matter, have dug their friend’s grave back home? More so, in M*ngolia it gets so cold that the ground freezes completely solid. It might as well be concrete. So, in the below freezing, sub-Siberian winter, our pastor dug his friend’s grave with a jackhammer.
I’ve been fortunate to not have been around very much death in my life, but from what I’ve seen in America it is usually a pretty sterile thing. Here is this man, this friend, this pastor sinking his hands into muck of life and death. Who, in the midst of his own grief, comforts and consoles, and who not only braves temperatures you only see on Planet Earth to dig the hole in the ground for his friend’s body, but he does it with a jackhammer. Then he climbs out, dusts himself off, and says goodbye to his friend by doing the funeral.
It’s the little differences that you see like that, that are humbling and inspiring; and for which I’m truly grateful to be here to see.
Take Heart
15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, Alas, my master! What shall we do? 16 He said, Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see. So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15-17)
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15 And he said, Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.(2 Chronicles 20:15)
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in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Psalms 56:11)
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Do not be afraid of them,for I am with you to deliver you,declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:8)
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But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid. (Matthew 14:27)
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But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. (Luke 1:13)
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And Jesus said to Simon, Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men. (Luke 5:10b)
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9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people. 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (Acts 18:9-11)
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23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you. (Acts 27:23,24)
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The following night the Lord stood by him and said, Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome. (Acts 23:11)
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I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
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Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well. And instantly the woman was made well. (Matthew 9:22)
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And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven. (Matthew 9:2)
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