A Visit From neB

Today’s scripture: Romans 8:5-8 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)

As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.

My thoughts (Ben Lamb):

There I was staring into the bathroom mirror, getting ready for the day as usual, but with a bit of a twist.

“Man, oh man. I can’t believe I’m scheduled to have four surgeries back-to-back within three months. And here I am with no car; stolen less than two weeks before surgery number one. I don’t have time to mess with that kind of a problem, too. None of this is my fault. I can’t help it if I was born with crummy genes! And as for the car, I was parked in the employee lot like a good little employee: in the poorly-lit area which is rarely patrolled by security. God, why is all of this happening to me? Why?”

“Hey,” said a voice back at me. “What’s the big deal?”

“Who said that?” I demanded to know.

“Me. You know: neB. You’ve seen me a million times before, but just haven’t taken the time to pay attention. But today’s the day that you, Ben, and I are going to have a day-long heart-to-heart get-to-know-you time.”

I looked around and thought I caught a glimpse of someone whom I’d seen before but had lost track of a long time ago. “I must be imagining things, so I’m just going to forget it and go on.”

neB started talking again. “No, you’re not imagining things, and you’ll remember this day for a long time.” By now, I had finished shaving and brushing my teeth, and turned away from the mirror to walk out of the bathroom; suddenly neB was gone.

Several friends — and even a few family members — either didn’t try to comfort me at all, or were rolling stupid, canned phrases off of their tongues, like:

  • “Don’t worry, Ben; it’ll get better.” (Since when did they become prophets?!)
  • “You must be strong. Don’t let these things get you down! (What did they have in their veins?- Ice water?)
  • “Don’t let Satan get a foothold in your life. Be happy.” (I don’t recall Jesus exactly cracking jokes when he was in agony on the cross. Why should I presume God expects me to be elated during genuinely stressful times in my own life?)

What did I really want? I wanted the whole world to come to a screeching halt and:

  • Everyone rush to my side regardless of what was going on in their own lives
  • Feed me bon-bons all day
  • Repeatedly tell me, “Now, now, you poor li’l baby, honey. Nobody’s ever had things as rough as you. Not nobody, not nohow.”

As I looked in the rear-view mirror of the car, there was neB again. This time he was sitting in the back seat. “Sounds as though you’re feeling sorry for yourself, bub.”

“What were you doing? Reading my mind?”

“Well… uh, yeah, actually, I was. Go figure. Now then. Say, you’ve read Bubbles, the autobiography of the late Beverly Sills, your favorite opera singer.”

“Hey, neB, It’s downright eerie how you know so much about me. It’s almost as if we’re the same per…”

“Whatever. Anyway, back to Miss Sills. Recall to me what her response used to be when people expressed pity about her having a deaf daughter and a severely autistic son.”

“To paraphrase her, she said, ‘People ask, “Why you?” I reply, “Why NOT me?” Why should I be exempt from life’s hardships more than anybody else in this world?’ Is that the part, neB?”

“Yes, Ben. Now ask us…I mean, yourself…the same question. Why should you be given super-natural insulation from all of life’s hardships?”

“But I’m a Christian. I follow Jesus, or at least give it my most honest attempt. I do a heap of work for others and at the church. I tithe. I pray every day. I attend church. I’m in a small group. I read the Bible. I’m keeping up my end of the agreement.” I was shouting at neB by now. “Why isn’t God keeping up the other end? It just isn’t fair!”

“The other end? You make it sound like a business contract. I think —  really, I know — what you’re thinking. You believe that once you became a Christian then God became obligated to make life totally peachy for you.”

“That snide little comment hurt. Well, what’s the purpose of being a follower of Jesus if I can’t get something out of it?”

neB minced no words. “What?! Are you saying that you’re attempting to use your supposedly solemn promise of following Jesus merely as, shall we bluntly say, “fire insurance?”

“I… I… guess I really need to take a hard look at it, neB. Can we talk again later?”

neB seemed more compassionate now. “Yes, Ben. I’m sure we’ll talk again.”

Thought for the day: What is my motivation for following Jesus?

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.