Lesson 257: Why?

Brother Len Patterson, Chaplain

Why?

When I was in Marine Corps boot camp, the Drill Instructor would sit on a top bunk and hand out mail. He would call a name and the letter's recipient would answer, "Here, Sir!" At times the Drill Instructor would then sarcastically ask, "Why?" No one ever answered him, but I couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if one of us boots had responded with, "Temporary insanity, Sir!"

I knew why I was there. I wanted to be a Marine, charge a beach and shoot the enemy. I wanted to experience the glory of battle. Well, I was only seventeen, and barely that. As I look back now, I think the real reason I was there was indeed, temporary insanity. But, the point is, I knew Why.

As a boy, my mother would take me to church. I hated that. If someone had asked why I was there, I would have answered, "Because my mother made me." There were certainly other things I'd rather be doing, and as soon as I was able, I quit going to church. I just wasn't interested. The only time I went to church after that was at the First Baptist Church, Kenner, Louisiana. It was November 22, 1963 (A famous date) and I knew why I was there. I was getting married and my bride wanted a church wedding. It would be at least seven years before I went to church again.

I was twenty-nine when the Lord saved me and I couldn't wait for the next Sunday to come so I could go to church and share my experience with like-minded people who were also Christians. I couldn't wait to hear a minister preach about Jesus, now that I knew what he was talking about. I couldn't wait to learn more about the one who loved me and died that I might have life. I just couldn't wait to go to church.

Of course, those of you who are indeed true, like-minded Christians, know I was in for a big disappointment. And, I'm still disappointed. I once told a church, "I know why many people don't go to church. I just wonder why some people do." And, I still wonder. But, I have never been disillusioned. Why?

As the old song says, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus and His righteousness." Our Christian joy comes from a true relationship with our Lord. As we keep our eyes on Jesus and remember all He has done, is doing, and will continue to do, our faith and trust in Him will grow. As Saints in Christ we become stronger as we pray and study God's Word.

If there is one certainty we can always depend on, it is that we will never be disappointed or disillusioned by Jesus. Christ our Lord is the answer to all our needs and concerns and He will never leave us nor forsake us. And, that's "Why." ATM Chaplain Patterson