“A Time to Cry”

Just got through packing. It’s 11:15 & at the crack of dawn I’ll head out with some students to do a camp. I’ve done over 50 through the years & I’m praying this will be one of those where God really shows up & uses us as we lead & seek Him. All through the years I’ve been inspired by & shared the music of Steven Curtis Chapman with literally thousands in camps, retreats, revivals & concerts. I both admire & appreciate his talent but more than that, the fact he gives it back to God.

God has used Steven to touch the lives of millions across the planet. He’s sold over 10 million records & garnered about every award possible in Christian & popular music. He & his wife Mary Beth have also touched the lives of over 1700 families as they lead in Shaohanna’s hope adoption ministry. The Chapman’s have adopted three little girls from China & help make it possible for families to obtain financial help in the costly adoption procedure.

As a musician & singer/songwriter, I appreciate Steven for his music & talent. As a writer/speaker, I appreciate Steven for his books & ministry. As a Dad of an adopted little boy, I appreciate Steven for helping make it possible for families to give a godly home to a hopeless child. As a Christian leader, I appreciate his unwavering commitment to Jesus.

While the Chapman’s are wonderful Christian people, it does not make them immune to pain. This past Wednesday, their baby girl of 5 was accidentally killed. On a day of celebration as eldest daughter had an engagement party, & their son had a graduation party, a family member backed out of the drive & didn’t see Maria. She was struck & later died at the hospital.

Why? I could spout platitudes & ‘church answers’ ‘til the cows come home’ but truth is we don’t understand all in this life. Even good people get hurt. It’s part of this life. Life is wonderfully awful & awfully wonderful. There are roses & there are thorns… on the same vine.

Arguably, the most wise man who lived wrote, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 NLT

I’ll throw out no heady explanations of why trouble & tragedy strike. No trite answers here, just quiet faith. Faith in God when I don’t always understand the stuff of life. (On another day I’ll share a song I wrote as we found my Mom was diagnosed with two blood cancers.) I simply encourage you to pray for the Chapman family as they continue to live, laugh & love. Steven recently wrote a song that little Maria inspired entitled, “Cinderella.” Check out the web site to see the video more about their ministry.
http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/in_index.html

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Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org cell 870-217-9376