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Resources - Meditations
March 2000
Trowel – Building
Remember Roy
Orbison ?
Rev. John Terhorst
There is a Compact Disk I find easy listening, even while working. The
title of it is “Shepherd Moon” It is recorded by Enja. Her music is
unique. When starting out she reputedly said that only by offering a
real alternative, did she hope to succeed. Her theory worked. Enja has
accomplished that aim and has the CD sales to prove it.
Then there is an old favourite. I occasionally listen to this tape, but
never while working. It has the extravagant title, “Monumental Hits” – a
collection of songs written and sung by, Roy Orbison. Remember Roy
Orbison? He always wore dark sun glasses. Very distinct. Often dressed
in dark clothes. He was unique amongst his fellow entertainers. As well
as an L.P. record, I have an old 45 R.P.M. with four of his songs. The
front cover shows Orbison on his motorbike, complete with dark clothes,
and those dark sunglasses. Many of his songs portray sad images. Titles
such as: Only the Lonely, Running Scared, It’s Over, need no further
explanation. I believe his wife died early on in their relationship.
Some attribute the dark glasses to that incident. That may or may not be
true, I do not know for certain. His manner of appearance did make him
unique – that goes without saying.
I too am unique. I am one of a kind. Once people have met me they rarely
forget who I am. Yes, I realise that that may be for all sorts of
reasons. It may even be a great opening line to which some of you would
love to reply. But now is not the time (feel free to tell me next time
you see me). I am somewhat unique in that I do not have a right arm.
That’s not easy to forget once you have met me. It does help others to
remember and recognise me. I just wish I could return the compliment and
remember the names of all those I have met over the years.
My physical appearance is a ‘distortion’ of what I was for nearly
nineteen years. I guess some would see me as handicapped. To be
politically correct of course, you are required to say I am ‘physically
challenged’. Whatever the terminology, the fact does not change.
However, my identity is distorted in other ways. So is yours! We are
fallen creatures, members together of a sinful human race. We bear the
image of God, but no longer in a perfect way, as we once did. As one
catechism teacher’s manual has it, “The image of God remained, but it
became distorted, cracked, and incapable of clearly reflecting the
wonderful virtues and graces of the Creator.” People, in the state of
sin, are disfigured images of the true and complete person they were
created to be. How does the Apostle put it, “Now we see but a poor
reflection as in a mirror;”
My distorted identity is under repair. So is yours, when you belong to
God’s redeemed family. Again the inspired Word of God tells it
majestically, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!” When you have been saved by God’s
grace through faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is busy in your life. Busy
restoring God’s image, God’s identity, in you. In fact, to quote that
teacher’s manual again, “When God looks at those who belong to Christ,
He does not see their distorted and crooked images. He sees Christ
Himself. Jesus stands between the believing sinner and God so that God
can see us through Christ,”
How is that possible you ask? I come back to a song of Roy Orbison. The
title of one song on the tape I have is this, “Love Hurts”. Most of us
can identify with that sentiment. So can God! ‘For God so loved the
world..!” That love of God was accompanied by pain. The pain of the
incarnation. The pain of being misunderstood and mistreated. The pain in
the Garden of Eden. The pain at Calvary. God’s love for us cost Him His
Only Begotten Son.
But Jesus was resurrected, and He ascended to the place of all
authority. And one day He shall return in triumph to complete the work
the Father gave Him. And then at last, my distorted image will be
perfected.
A Prayer:
Father, may I through faith in
Jesus, eagerly await the full restoration of my identity as your child.
Amen.
John Ter Horst
Pastor, South Gippsland Reformed Church
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