Author: Wick

The word “parakeleo” is found 109 times throughout the New Testament. It is formed by two other words, “para” which means (from, at, beside, near), and “kaleo” which means (to call, invite, call by name).

It’s range of similar meanings can go from “to call upon/beseech” to “to exhort”, “to encourage”, “to offer consolation”. We find the most concentrated use of the word, in various forms…in 2 Corinthians chapter 1.

Here, Paul begins a letter from a place of sorrow. In the midst of suffering, Paul writes a letter and focuses on this theme. He uses the word 10 times in under 5 verses (1 Cor. 1:3-7). In the same section of verses, Paul uses the word for “affliction” or “suffering” 7 times in those same verses, and a word such as “we, our, us” 14 times.

This could all be seen as a bit of using what I see to say what I want to say….but I believe there is a tremendous message in these verses that we are witnesses to in the reality around us today. The people of Haiti are suffering, and have been impacted in some very large ways because of the earthquake activity this past week. The call to prayer/action/financial support is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.

But even so, the response stands as a moment with Kingdom qualities. A time where suffering and consolation find themselves in close relationship, and the opportunity for both to occur in the context of human relationships, community, and the “least of these” is huge.

To quote NT Wright on Paul’s choice of word here: “that one person is being with another, speaking words which change their mood and situation, giving them courage, new hope, new direction, new insights which will alter the way they face the next moment, the next day, the rest of their life….when you “console” someone you simply bring them back from utter despair to ordinary unhappiness. The word Paul uses here, over and over again, does more than that. It meets people where they are, and brings them right on to the point where they are strong enough to see new hope, new possibilities, new ways forward.”

May we all continue to pray, whatever our connection to what has happened. May we respond as those called to “parakaleo” the suffering whenever an opportunity like this arises.

Especially in youth ministry, the verses in Romans 13:1-3 come up often:

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval;”

You read these verses, and many adults would nod their heads in agreement. But most teens aren’t so quick to believe that EVERY authority is instituted by God. What about Hitler? What about unhealthy parents? What about….?

I’ve grown used to these questions, and always emphasize that of course, God’s authority comes first. If a government or parent or other authority asks us to do something actively against God…we are called to follow God. With grace/humility/love, of course.

But something I’ve missed out on proclaiming, until studying to teach it once again recently, was the importance/call towards developing the nature of “Obedience” in the life of a Christian. Because God describes it as a part of who we are in following Christ. We are obedient, in Love.

Jesus said “what you’ve done for the least of these, you’ve done also unto me”. I believe in many of our lives, especially today’s youth, but even some of us “grown-ups”…authority may be included in that “least of these” category. Is our natural response obedience….or is it rebellion?

God doesn’t call us to be obedient to authority only when it makes complete sense and is easy for us. God calls us to be obedient. To have the nature of obedience. To God first, but also to the other authorities in our lives. This is definitely not something many of us can achieve on our own strength. May God’s Spirit enable us to be an obedient people…in the same way that light shines in darkness…

Tuesday night, my wife was out with a friend and the girls were in bed. I’d recently finished a book, and found myself flipping channels. I landed briefly on the new season of American Idol, but it was anything but new…and anything but worth watching.

Then I found PBS, a movie was playing that I’d heard of before and wanted to see. “Young at Heart“. Holy cow. Awesome movie. Seriously. A choir from New England, with members ages low 70’s to mid-90’s. Men and women who have found each other, and something worth pouring themselves into. Very talented, even without the age factoring in. But with the age, definitely becomes an endearing and heart-warming story worth watching. (or buying) A warning though, it will tug at your heart more than most “hey, let’s watch a dvd tonight” type movies…for sure. But in very good/healthy ways.

Our own church family celebrates the life of one of our own members turning 100 this week. Rachel is an energetic, self-motivated woman. She drives herself to church most every Sunday, even in recent sub-zero temperatures. Less than 2 years ago, she called and asked if I would come help her finish staining her gazebo, because even though she could climb the ladder and balance on top of it to get the job done….she figured maybe she shouldn’t.

I hope and pray that I reach that age with the same enthusiasm/gusto that many of these seem to have. I know that means beginning to take better care of myself, perhaps even eating some of those green things that are so popular on other people’s plates.

I doubt my audience contains many of these…but in case there are…thank you. And may we each find some of the elderly in our lives this week to reach out to and appreciate. For the lives they’ve lived, and for the value their lives still bring to our world today. 🙂