Lessons From the Back Shelf
(What to do when life gets put on hold)
Jeremiah 32-33 December 31, 2000
Back shelf events ¡V now there¡¦s an oxymoron. The words just don¡¦t fit together. The back shelf is where you go to rot. There are no events. It¡¦s where you¡¦re put when the world is done with you, like a seldom-needed roasting pan, or a set of Christmas lights with one bulb out. You never work quite right, so you get put on the top shelf, way in the back. The back shelf!
Here we are on the brink of a New Year ¡V it¡¦s the end of this old one. It is quite natural to look back over the last year. We evaluate, revel in the good things; we reminisce, sometimes torture ourselves over the bad. We look at our waistlines after the holidays and make resolutions (in some cases, revolutions!).
But, what if you look back and there is nothing? What if you look back, and contrary to the calendar, all you can see is the back of the shelf? All you feel is the kind of thing we felt from November to December, while they located all the ballots! As George Goebel once remarked to Johnny Carson, I feel like the entire world¡¦s a tuxedo, and I¡¦m a pair of brown loafers.
Michael McDermott may have felt that way. He had a distinguished record of service to his country aboard nuclear submarines. He worked diligently in the computer industry. Then the IRS decided to grab a portion of his salary, and the next thing ¡V just last week ¡V he carries eighty pounds of assault weapons into work and kills 7 co-workers. The man had been put on the back shelf.
As we head into the new year; as we evaluate the past year ¡V if it appears to you that, along the way your life got put on hold, then this message is for you. Come with me for a peek at the life of the king of the back shelf ¡V Jeremiah.
God had called Jeremiah to be his voice against the ungodly condition of His chosen people ¡V to speak a warning. Jeremiah¡¦s call included the vision of a boiling cauldron facing the South; a picture of the invasion forces that would come from Judah¡¦s northern enemies.
In the 32nd chapter of Jeremiah¡¦s prophecy we find that what got him thrown in jail was his insistence that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, would conquer Jerusalem. Jerusalem¡¦s king Zedekiah didn¡¦t like that!
While in prison, Jeremiah¡¦s cousin, Hanameel offers the prophet the right to purchase land in Anathoth. How strange. If the prophet¡¦s prediction came true (and it certainly did), then land titles issued under Hebrew law would be worthless. And if the prophecy failed, Jeremiah would stay in jail. It seemed odd to buy land under those conditions.
What was Jeremiah (and God) up to? He was making a bold statement that God would truly bring judgment on the people, but the judgment would end and God would also restore his people.
Behold, I will gather them out of all countries¡K32.37a
And they shall be my people, and I shall be their God¡K32.38
And fields shall be bought in this land¡K32.43a
The prophet spoke truth about the coming judgment of God, and it did not exactly endear him to the king. In fact, he got thrown in prison ¡V several times, and finally died in Egypt under house arrest -- no fairy-tale ending to an epic life!
Rather, the so-called fairy-tale endings to which we have become accustomed would have included Jeremiah¡¦s famous word from the Lord¡K
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee
great and mighty things, which though knowest not.
Jeremiah 33.3
¡KAnd then there would be a release from prison, return to favor, and eventual conquering of the bad guys. Jeremiah never saw it. His life got put on hold (from a human perspective), and he never again saw the light of day as a free man.
As a preacher, I must admit this is a scary prospect. As a preacher who happened (a few years ago) to find himself on hold, ministerially-speaking, I found it an obnoxious necessity. In Jeremiah¡¦s life and ministry I found the model for my own struggling, as well as the answers I need in that process of finding God when I have to wait. I found myself once again at five years old, waiting anxiously in the back seat of Dad¡¦s ¡¦48 Plymouth, asking, Are we there yet?
This morning¡¦s message is somewhat confessional ¡V it is where I was two years ago. It was that with which God had been working on in me, for nearly a year. Having left the last church I served, I was a year into seeking God¡¦s will for where I was to serve. The problem was, each time a place seemed to open up; it closed faster than a slap in the face. I was on-hold. I felt like Jeremiah in the pit, and I wanted some answers. I wanted some sense of purpose in the midst of what seemed like wasted time. Give me some rhyme and reason, Lord! Get me off the back shelf, please!
One of the great poets, Frost, I believe, was asked by a student how you go about writing a poem. The answer was all about making rhyme and reason over the events of your life. It went something like, Well, first something has to happen to you. Then you get alone with a pen and ink and write like the devil. You ride it until it is done. Then you have a poem.
Jeremiah did have more than a few something¡¦s happen. His country was in trouble. Morality was gone. No one told the truth. The government was not trustworthy. Strong political enemies loomed on the horizon. His ministry was like, as Frost described, writing like the devil ¡V working on the national problems of Israel.
When Jeremiah cried out against these things as a preacher of righteousness, proclaiming the Lord¡¦s Word, he expected the people to listen -- to change? Yet they did not. They never listened. They never changed in his lifetime. His culture was as unconcerned with God as the vast majority of the world at the beginning of the 21st century!
Jeremiah¡¦s day rejected the idea of God¡¦s sovereignty, as does America in 2000. They rejected God, and so have we, banning Him from our schools, government and just about every realm of public life. Jeremiah wanted it to change. He went to extremes to preach the truth.
He was the theatrical prophet, wearing an oxen yoke to symbolize the heaviness of Israel¡¦s coming bondage. He buried a garment under a rock near the river to rot and ruin, rather than stay close to the owner¡¦s heart, symbolizing how Israel was out of place, far from God¡¦s heart.
Great sermons, Jeremiah! Man what a preacher!! You would think they¡¦d make him president of the Southern Baptist Convention with sermonizing like that! Instead, he got arrested, put on hold, moved to the back shelf!
He was born in Anathoth, which means answered prayer ¡V yet here he was in the jail pit, and the nation he loved remained unchanged. Jeremiah¡¦s prayers weren¡¦t being answered ¡V they were bouncing off the walls. What¡¦s going on here? Why was Jeremiah stuck in a holding pattern over the airport, endlessly circling?
This suggests several questions
1. Why had God put Jeremiah on hold?
2. And the corollary ¡V Why was Russell on hold?
3. And your main interest ¡V Why aren¡¦t things moving better for me?
Now, before we gavel the Pity Party meeting to come to order, let me assure you that each and every human being who has ever drawn breath has (or will) experience this on hold syndrome. As I studied for this message it became evident that virtually every major Bible character walked in this valley during his life.
Let¡¦s start at Genesis and fast forward through some of those lives on hold:
Adam¡Kmust have experienced a deep valley of depression and questioning the on hold after being expelled from the Garden of Eden. He¡¦d never really been on his own before, and now the produce came from the ground only by the sweat of his brow (Gen 3-4). Life was tough!
Noah¡Kspent the better part of a year in a dark, smelly boat, cooped-up with fifteen thousand smelly animals. After it was over Noah stepped out into a world without people (Gen 8,9). He and his little family were totally alone.
Abraham ¡Khad several periods on hold. God had promised an heir. But Abraham kept getting older and older. He was approaching 100, and his wife was no spring chicken either. What was God up to? Didn¡¦t He know you don¡¦t have children when you¡¦re in the old folk¡¦s home? Later, when Isaac finally was born, God told Abraham to take the boy to the mountain and kill him for a sacrifice (Gen 22). How on hold did Abe feel during the trek to Mount Moriah?
Jonah¡Kwas disobedient about fulfilling his prophetic ministry role. He got a holy submarine ride and several days on hold to think about his vows.
Israel¡Kthe whole nation kicked back in shock after being whipped at Ai (Joshua 7). They didn¡¦t know Achan had sinned. They only knew they were on hold.
Moses¡Kwas no stranger to the on hold syndrome. After being raised in a king¡¦s castle he spent forty years as a convicted murderer, working for his father-in-law, tending sheep on the back-side of nowhere (Exo 2).
David¡Kslept in the caves of Adullam (1 Sam 22) while King Saul hunted for him. He also spent time on hold after his first son with Bathsheba died.
Solomon¡Kspent a lifetime searching for ways to get past the on hold of materialism. He couldn¡¦t do it (Eccl).
Elijah¡Khad his on hold moments after defeating the false prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. It was one of the greatest spiritual victories of his career as a prophet. The next instant we find him sitting under juniper tree considering ending it all (1 Kgs 19).
John the Baptist¡Kfound himself in a pit too ¡V wondering if he¡¦d made a mistake in baptizing Jesus. Was He really the Messiah? He needed to know (Jn 11).
Judas¡Kwas a bad guy to us (who names his firstborn Judas these days?) Nevertheless, Judas was chosen to come alongside Jesus with the other 11. Judas had his toughest moments trying to understand Jesus¡¦ motives.
As a zealot, waiting for the kingdom to be established, Judas must have been severely frustrated, and on hold, watching Jesus love His enemies.
The Disciples¡Kspent seven long weeks in the upper room after the resurrection. Jesus told them to wait, and then he disappeared in the clouds. What a wonderful way to change the world, eh? How on hold can you get?
Peter¡Knever, ever wanted (or hardly accepted) being on hold. Peter was the original action figure, always acting (especially before thinking). Toy makers of action biggies like G.I. Joe, PowerRangers, and the Super Heroes could make a Peter doll and market him to Christian parents. The only problem is he¡¦d have his foot in his mouth.
Peter¡¦s three-fold denial on the night of Jesus¡¦ arrest (Matthew 26) ate away at the walls of his stomach. His on hold was like a vicegrip pliers locked on his midsection, every time he heard a rooster crowing.
John Mark¡Kleft to go on the Great Adventure with Paul & Barnabas, an exciting mission trip to establish churches, and preach the gospel ¡V but he chickened-out when the going got tough, and went home. John Mark had a heart for God, and I am certain there were many times he awoke in the middle of the night with a cold sweat, remembering his failure. It would be many years before his on hold would be put aside.
John¡Kwas the Apostle whom Jesus loved, and who leaned on Jesus¡¦ side during the Last Supper. He became the beloved Pastor at Ephesus. He preached the Word with boldness and effectiveness. At ninety he got to retire, but it wasn¡¦t a condo in Miami beach! John was imprisoned, exiled to a rock quarry on an island off the coast of Greece. He spent his golden years hauling limerock for the emperor. On hold hardly describes this agony!
And then, there was the New Testament Jeremiah¡K¡K
Paul¡Kwho, when he was converted immediately began to experience opposition ¡V from within the church. He spent 14 years in the desert seminary on hold learning about God¡¦s plans for the church. He was beaten (as Jeremiah). He was called a traitor (as Jeremiah). He was imprisoned and died for the cause (as did Jeremiah). A life on mission, filled with times of being on hold.
From Jerusalem to Thomasville
The Bible stories are convincing ¡V but what about the beginning of the 21st century? What about now? What about us?
On Hold takes many forms, just as in Bible times. Just a partial list would include:
„h A 38 year old bank teller who must give up her job to care for her Mother, who is an Alzheimer¡¦s patient.
„h A 17 year old high school senior who won¡¦t graduate with his class because he has to take radical treatments for Leukemia.
„h A business woman who didn¡¦t see her two main suppliers going out of business, just when she landed a major contract. She now faces bankruptcy.
„h A college professor who didn¡¦t see a four year old on his tricycle, and is now sitting in a cell.
„h A late thirty-something woman who has just seen 11 years of investment in her marriage go down the tubes because he didn¡¦t want to be married anymore!
Ministries come to a grinding halt. Life changes occur. People die or prepare to die. It seems like you have been pushed to the back, out of sight on the highest shelf in the most forgotten pantry.
It is certain God has forgotten your address, or at the least has forgotten that thing about not putting any more on you than you can bear. What can you do when you¡¦re on hold, on the back shelf?
The Traps
Both believers and pagans make similar treks onto the shelf. Christian believers have a resource, however, about which pagans can only hope¡KGod. But there are some traps to avoid when you¡¦re practicing shelfmanship.
„« Running ahead. When God has you on the shelf, it is for a reason. The worst thing you can do is try to scramble off before that purpose is worked out. Abraham and Sarai tried that route. They were supposed to have received a son. It wasn¡¦t happening. Sarai thought she was doing well by manipulating the future. She told Abraham to have relations with Hagar, her slave. Ishmael was born, but he wasn¡¦t God¡¦s solution for the shelf. The descendants of Ishmael and Isaac are at each other¡¦s throats until this very day! Don¡¦t run ahead of God¡¦s timing
„« Force a solution. Sometimes a solution presents itself, and everyone urges you to take that way out. Its easy enough, and you have the world¡¦s approval. David was hiding from King Saul in the caves of Adullam. Saul had been his friend and benefactor ¡V but the man had lost it, gone off the deep end with jealousy over David¡¦s popularity. The whole kingdom knew David was now going to be God¡¦s choice for king.
And one night in the chase, Saul fell asleep right in the cave where David was hiding. It was so easy ¡V David was standing over his problem. Plunge the knife and it¡¦s over. So easy! But David knew that it is never right to do wrong. He would not compromise the Kingdom for a kingdom. That¡¦s good advice for the 21st century too.
„« Physical & emotional weaknesses. Being on the back shelf is stressful. There are a whole assortment of difficulties associated with job, career, relationship and spiritual stress.
Physical ailments from rashes to ulcers come with a shelf life.
Sleep loss is common among shelf-dwellers.
Emotions run amuk.
In every period of being on the shelf, be aware that you are occupying a frame made of dust, and dust can crumble under the load.
View From Above the Shelf
Professional basketball players play a brand of ball of which the average man will only dream. They play above the rim. Christians are to view their shelf life from above, also. That is, we are to see the situation as God. Here are five ways to get above the shelf: They all involve what Jeremiah did, buy a field.
1. Buy a field -- Tend the Sheep
Moses was a convicted felon back in Egypt. He thought he was doing God¡¦s work when he killed an Egyptian who was oppressing the Hebrews. It got him stuck out in the middle of nowhere. He married a girl and tended the sheep of his father-in-law. This was quite a far cry from the royal palaces in Egypt.
When on the shelf, remember that you can be useful where you are. As a minister, I had to remember that God can use me anywhere to tend sheep. They¡¦re everywhere! I don¡¦t have to be a Pastor to listen to another¡¦s burden. Have you felt the splinters of that back shelf? Tend the sheep.
2. Buy a field -- Ask the Questions
I have learned to live with the Psalmist:
I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry, He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings, And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Psalm 40.1-3
I am not a patient person. I want answers quickly. I am, however a believer, and I have learned to ask What rather than Why? What is the shelf supposed to teach me?
It isn¡¦t wrong to ask the questions ¡V just keep your perspective¡Kyou¡¦re dealing with almighty God. Treat Him with respect. He can pull you out of the pit, or off the shelf ¡V or He can keep you after school.
Jacob wrestled with God¡¦s angel at the river Jabok. It was the night before going home to a brother he¡¦d not seen in twenty years. That brother was angry enough to make a vow to kill Jacob the last time the two laid eyes on each other. Jacob had come to the end of himself, and the angel came to struggle with him in the night.
A belief that the ancients had was if you saw an angel in the daylight you would die. The dawn was about to break, and the angel warned Jacob to let go. Jacob refused. He would rather die than not have his answers. Have you wrestled with who God is going to be in your life? Shelf or not? But, in your struggles, don¡¦t forget to let the praise flow along with the questions.
3. Buy a field -- Listen for God
Elijah was alone with his fears. The queen had vowed to put him to death when she found him. Elijah felt alone. He wanted to die. But he listened intently, and God came to him. It wasn¡¦t in the storm, nor in the wind ¡V the voice of God was still and small. It pays to get alone with God. He whispers a lot. It pays to get alone and authentic¡Kget honest with God. Then listen in the Word. Open that Bible ¡V read, read with your heart.
4. Buy a field -- Adjust the Sails
I saw the sign on an outdoor church signboard that spoke to me when I was on the shelf¡K
You can¡¦t direct the wind
But you can adjust the sails
This means you can trust God, and you can act like it.
Peter was shamed by his denial of Christ outside Pilate¡¦s house. But he stood boldly a few months later on Pentecost to preach and lead 3,000 people to follow.
Abraham believed God, and behaved that way.
The wind came and blew away the supports, and the roof fell on all of Job¡¦s sons and daughters, killing them all. Job¡¦s shelf was under the ash heap. But he trusted God. He said, The Lord gives, and the Lord takes¡KHe is the Lord.
Israel couldn¡¦t understand their defeat at Ai. When they understood the sin in the camp they stoned Achan and his family. That¡¦s adjusting the sails. Do you have any Achan attitudes or secret sins that need stoning?
Living for Christ is still the Great Adventure. God has never lied, and He can be trusted. The winds of our time blow this way and that. God¡¦s compass always points true north to doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with Thy God. Adjust your sails in this world¡¦s storms, but don¡¦t hear the wind howling in the world. Look for God¡¦s lighthouse.
5. Buy a field -- Measure the Benefits
Life on the shelf has its worth. You learn things there which are invisible when you¡¦re so busy with regular life. I had a conversation with a young believer during my shelf-life. It seems times of joy and worship at her church are so wonderful, she just can¡¦t wait for the next time with the family of God. But then in some other situations her faith gets assaulted.
I told her, Congratulations, God is trusting you to grow. How would you know your faith which is grown in the loving atmosphere of your church family can stand in the world ¡V unless you get tested and stretched?
Pastor and author, Chuck Swindoll tells a true story that comes from the sinking of the Titanic. A frightened woman found her place in a lifeboat that was about to be lowered into the raging North Atlantic. She suddenly thought of something she needed, so she asked permission to return to her stateroom before they cast off. She was granted three minutes or they would have to leave without her.
She ran across the deck that was already slanted at a dangerous angle. She raced through the gambling room with all the money that had rolled to one side, ankle deep. She came to her stateroom and quickly pushed aside her diamond rings and expensive bracelets and necklaces as she reached to the shelf above her bed and grabbed three small oranges. She quickly found her way back to the lifeboat and got in.
Now that seems incredible because thirty minutes earlier she would not have chosen a crate of oranges over even the smallest diamond. But death had boarded the Titanic. One blast of its awful breath had transformed all values. Instantaneously, priceless things had become worthless. Worthless things had become priceless. And in that moment she preferred three small oranges to a crate of diamonds.(1)
Paul had a thorn in the flesh with which he had to contend on his shelf. Often he questioned, pleaded with the Lord to take it away. Jesus¡¦ answer was always the same, My grace is sufficient.
I love the story of the new recruit in boot camp. During rare break times, and as often as anyone was looking, the private spent his hours walking around the camp, staring at the ground. Occasionally he would stoop down, pick up a scrap of paper, stare at it and shake his head back and forth ¡V Nope, that¡¦s not it, that¡¦s not it, he would lament. Over and over, Nope, that¡¦s not it, that¡¦s not it!
The Master Sergeant had had enough after about six weeks, and thought to himself, This guy is driving me nuts with his picking up the papers ¡V Nope that¡¦s not it¡K. I¡¦m gonna do something. So the sergeant put through a Section 8 mental discharge. When all the papers were done, he took a copy of the discharge paper to the barracks and found the young recruit. Here y¡¦are, dingbat. Pack yer bags & get on outa here ¡V You ain¡¦t no soldier no more! The ex-private took the discharge paper from the Sarge, looked intently at it and said, This is it! This is it!
Beloved, that¡¦s what Paul found on the shelf ¡V Grace that was greater than all his sin, all his thorns in the flesh, all his needs. That¡¦s it! And God has plenty on His back shelf for all of us!
(1) James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), 489.
