Something Unspeakably Sweet

Dear Crosswalkers,

 

I recently came across a wonderful interview by a man facing the end of his life.  William Stuntz is a professor at Harvard Law School who has published broadly, from the Harvard Law Review to The Weekly Standard to First Things andChristianity Today.  He has co-authored textbooks on criminal procedure, and has a book coming out this year from Harvard University Press. In February of 2008, a large tumor was found in his body. Soon his doctors found numerous tumors.  His cancer has metastasized and spread through his body to other organs, and he is not expected to live beyond 2010.  He is 52. 

 

William has a wife and family, and he is a member of Park Street Church in Boston, where he recently gave his powerful testimony to the congregation.  He was recently interviewed by Patheos, a website devoted to spiritual issues.  It is an interview full of depth and beauty. This is the last question he was asked in the interview, along with his answer:

 

Do you have any favorite quotations or favorite scriptures, when it comes to death?

 

Yes, a passage in the fourteenth chapter of Job.  The passage as a whole is not hopeful.  Job is uncertain what will happen to him when he dies.  In the end, he says that he will return to dust and there will be nothing after death. 

 

In the midst of the passage, however, before he turns to despair, he has a moment of hope.  It's a brief moment, just a couple of verses in the midst of an extended passage.  Yet he says, "You will call and I will answer.  You will long for the creature your hands have made" (Job 14:15).   

 

I find those lines very powerful.  The concept that God longs for the likes of me is so unspeakably sweet.  I almost cannot bear to say them aloud.  They are achingly sweet for me to hear. 

 

There are many passages I love, but that one in particular has grabbed hold of me.  Job's hope, it turns out, is more realistic than his despair.

 

Wow.  This man has a tremendous faith, and his comfort ("unspeakably sweet"), is that God longs for the likes of you and me.  And it is so true.  God loves us and seeks us and wants to embrace us into his forever family!

UPDATES:

• FRIDAY NIGHT our school is holding a special Talent and Culture Show to raise funds for up-grading our playground:  re-surfacing/painting the black top; more tanbark; repair sprinklers on new grass area, etc.  Tickets may be purchased at the door for $7.00.  Included in each ticket price is one raffle ticket.  It is for a great cause and will be a fun show.  You are invited!!

• SATURDAY MORNING @ 8:30 a.m is our Men's Breakfast!  All men are encouraged to come for an awesome breakfast, praise music and program and fellowship!

• This SUNDAY we will continue with MYTHBUSTERS!  The myth we will bust wide open is this:  "All we need to do is live a good life and God will let us into heaven."  But how good is good enough?  Jesus told a story that will help us bust this myth!  This would be a great Sunday to invite a friend to come to church with you!  

• One last note of PRAISE:  Our Faith Promises now total $129,920!!  I praise God that Crosswalk is a church devoted to Missions!!  Now please join me in praying that God will provide what we have promised by faith to give!

Love in Jesus,

 

Pastor John 

 

 

 

P.S.  You can read the entire interview with William Stuntz for yourself here:

 

 http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/You-Will-Call-I-Will-Answer?offset=0&max=1