A Case of Truly Believing (10/9/2023)

Years ago, while working at Mundelein Seminary, one of the custodians was going through a difficult time and asked me for my help with some things. One day in particular, he asked me to give him a ride to his apartment because his car wasn’t working. On the way, we were chatting when he asked me, “How do you stay so calm?” I laughed out loud because I knew, at times, I was like those ducks on the pond that look serene, but we can’t see below the water line where their feet are moving like crazy. But I honored his question with an honest answer. “Philippians 4. I truly believe that the LORD is near.”

Then I shared with him the text of Philippians 4 that I know pretty much by heart because I go to it whenever I do feel anxious:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness* should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you. (Phil 4:4-9)

I went on to share with him that whenever I start to feel anxious, I recite the first part of the passage to myself. And then I tell myself, “You are not alone. The LORD is near. Ask for help with confidence and then do what you know is right.”

He listened, but then he told me that works for “religious people” but not for the average guy. We had reached our destination. I told him that Christ gave His life for all of us, not just the religious. I ended by saying, “He is trustworthy. He promised, ‘I am with you always.”

I told him I’d jot the passage down and give it to him the next time I saw him. I never saw him again. He didn’t return to work. I have thought of him so many times in the 17 years since then. I wonder how he is. I wonder if he ever came to believe that he isn’t alone, that the LORD is near and that believers like me are also there to help. I may never know.

As we journey through this life to the life Christ promised us, the “life in abundance” with Him, we must ask ourselves honestly and frequently, “Do I believe?” If we do, if find our LORD trustworthy, then we must take consolation and direction from His promise, “I am with you always.” Knowing that we do not make this journey alone, let us have no anxiety, but turn always and everywhere to Him and make our requests known. And from a stance of peace, let us insist on doing what is honorable, what is just, what is pure, what is lovely, what is gracious. Let us strive for the excellence that is possible when we believe that we do not go alone.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.