Justin March leads the Bethany Lutheran Church Men’s Ministry and sends a weekly email message to the Men’s group every week.  Justin has generously permitted us to post his weekly reflections here. 

“Don’t ever let them use you. They will bring you to your knees. I’ll try to lead you for a while. But every time I talk to you your’re too afraid to see. I don’t know if you’re ready. You should see where I have been. I don’t know if you’re ready. And I don’t where to begin. Open your eyes, breathe in life. Open your eyes, breath in, breathe out. Oh I, I can see the light….Stay with me. Away from the darkest of nights…Stay with me.”      – Stay with Me by the heavy metal band In Flames 

The past few weeks,
our sermons have focused on Jesus’ twelve disciples. Broken, but chosen men,
these twelve gave up their lives to follow the person they believed to be the
Messiah. And although their faith was strong, there were still times of fear,
doubt, arrogance, hatred, and betrayal. They gave Jesus many reasons to cast
them aside, but that was not who Jesus was. He understood their imperfections,
He forgave them when they were weak, and He was gracious when they were wrong.
Some days were bad, and some were good, but through it all, Jesus kept
reminding the twelve to “Stay With Me.”

 Don’t you think this
is Jesus’ message for our lives as well? We too are broken and given the
freewill to choose as we please. Sometimes we make the right choices, but
sometimes we make the wrong ones. Sometimes we are full of fear, doubt His
plans, allow pride and arrogance to get in the way, and even hate and betray
one another. It would be easy for Jesus to cast us aside, but He has promised
He will never betray us. He understands our imperfections, He forgives us when
we are weak, and He is gracious when we are wrong. Some days are bad, and some
are good, but Jesus keeps reminding us to “Stay With Me.”

 I know our world is
making it difficult to “Stay With Him.” The spreading virus, the political
upheaval, the racial tension, the media influence, and the breeding of violence
can test our faith. But most of the issues that bring us into the trenches are temporary.
They are just another chapter in the Book of Life. And just when we think we
cannot bear the suffering anymore, the page has turned and another chapter
begins. Some chapters are going to be glorious, full of love and appreciation
for the miracles Jesus brings into our life. But other chapters are going to be
stormy, and we will need to hunker down and brace ourselves for the attack.

 It does not matter
what chapter you are currently living. There have been chapters before, and
there are chapters yet to come. Yes, some will be bad, and some will be good.
But, if you remember to open your eyes, breathe in the life Jesus is providing,
and breathe out the negativity this world wants you to hold in, you will find
blessings in every part. And as you turn each page, embrace every moment, and
experience each episode, just remember that all is good if you listen to Jesus’
three little words…”Stay With Me!”