Ah, young love.  A true story with a  made up name: Brenda had a guy friend in middle school. They decided to sorta kinda date even though it didn’t seem they belonged together.  Brenda figured that out before the guy.  After weeks of sorta dating, she told him it was over.  He was crushed.  He tried to change her mind.  She remained firm.  A few days later the guy called Brenda with one more plea to change her mind.  He ended the conversation with these words:  “There is a Brenda shaped hole in my heart.”   

What is the shape of love? In this scripture we are given a godly shape of love.  Love looks like the Good Samaritan who bandages the wounds of the helpless.  This story told by Jesus is perhaps the best known story of the Bible.  Many people don’t even know what a Samaritan is, but the phrase, “The Good Samaritan” has become iconic.  Hospitals, nursing homes, churches take on the name Good Samaritan, indicating the desire to bind up wounds, care for the weak, nurse the sick. 

I love the encouragement to love others, to give…  There’s a meaningful wrinkle to this story, however, most people miss.  The lesser application of helping others, is awesome.  But there is something more important.  

When our son was about 5 years old I resigned as Pastor of the Nooksack Church.  Sally and I felt bad because every time we drove near the church Forest would say, “I miss our church.”  For months we heard the same thing.  It was understandable, the wonderful people, a church family, a place to belong.  After about 5-6 months we finally asked him what he missed.  Suddenly we didn’t feel so bad. He immediately answered, “Riding the plastic truck down the ramp into the basement.”  Priorities.  Perspective. 

This scripture is about what’s most important.  There are many choices in life, if you gain a healthy perspective on priorities then you are well on the road to simplifying your world.  Eight years ago our church went through an evaluation process in which we talked about what was most important.  The guiding principle that emerged which shape us to this day is, “We were at our best when we are involved in ministry.”  For example, Dena was not even here at the time, but when she wanted to spearhead a Turkey Dinner, that was an expression of the guiding principle.  It also fits the mission we outlined: Rooted in the Word, Focused on the Cross, Missioned to the World.  I hope everyone has a good time at the turkey dinner next Saturday, but the greater purpose is to hang out with folks from the community, share the love of Christ in a tangible way.  What are your priorities?  

Daniel receives this final vision spanning chapters 10 - 12.  A few years earlier, Daniel, an old man in his 80s, was tossed into the Lion’s Den.  Incredibly, the King, the one who was tricked into making Daniel into Lion food, prayed to Daniels God believing he had the power to rescue Daniel.  The King hurries to the den and calls to see if Daniel made it through the night.  Daniel answers, READ Dan. 6:22a. The Lion’s Den served as affirmation of God’s protection when the world is overwhelming.  This final word of Daniel 12 puts into word form the same message as the Lion’s Den: the Lord will protect, the Lord will bring us through the storms. 
 
Daniel’s world is overwhelming.  He is living in a foreign land, enslaved and removed from his homeland as a teenager, his entire life remaining faithful to God in the courts of the most powerful kings on earth. Daniel has discovered life is not a fairy tale.  The new super-power has allowed Jews to go back to Israel, but Daniel never returns. Now, at this moment in time, Daniel is hearing rumors the homeland is desolate, the walls are destroyed, the people who returned are discouraged.  Life is supposed to be poetry.  More than one couple has looked forward to retirement years, traveling, togetherness, good health, and death/sickness cuts the dreams short.  Children make hard to understand decisions and you thought your days of worry were behind you.  We were supposed to have an election and get the right political leaders, the right judges appointed, and the downward spiral continues.  

Ever feel like a doormat?  People taking advantage of you?  A few weeks ago I lifted the lid of the church garbage can.  Somebody had filled it half full with their own personal garbage.  Really?  Don’t they know it costs the church something?  People will take advantage of you.  You will help and be met with evil.  Suffering, unfair reactions, people taking advantage of you are part of the price of faithfulness to God.  But the reward is refinement, purity, spotlessness.         

I’ve circled Dan. 11:35 as the key verse of today’s scripture: READ.  Much of this chapter speaks of a future time for Daniel which for us is the past.  One person said over 100 prophecies have come to pass in Dan. 11:1-35.  I would not be surprised, but I can’t verify it… What is important is for those who believe this is a refining process. 

Are you prepared to be a Christian?  There will be challenges.  What will you do when the world turns against you?  Some will pay the ultimate price: READ Dan. 11:33.  This is an ongoing prophecy unfolding all over the world.  In the U.S. with exceptions such as Roseberg, the Christian faithful are demeaned, marginalized, trivialized, mocked…  This is a refining process: some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless.  God will build you up through a refinement process of fire….