A Lesson for Life

Taught by Joan Engel

 
   “The Word of God is all there is,” Joan Engel never tired of saying.  “The Word of God alive is Jesus Christ.”

   This is all Joanie would want any of us to remember about her.  “I gotta tell you,” she would say, “There is nothing else.”

   This is the truth that carried Joan over the hills and through the valleys of her life on this earth.  It is the truth that carried her on her journey to her heavenly home where, today, she lives triumphant in the presence of her Heavenly Father. 

   People across the country, if asked, could relate endless stories about Joanie and the way she made a difference in their individual lives.  Those whom she served with in LFL of Michigan or on the National Board of LFL could share countless examples of her servant-style ministry.  Her family could describe her love and wisdom.  As for myself, well, on the day God called her home, I filled twelve pages of my journal with thoughts about Joanie.

   But, Joanie would want us to remember only one thing: “The Word of God is all there is.”

   In the midst of LFL board meetings, when important decisions needed to be made, it was Joanie who would help us focus by asking, “What does God’s Word tell us?”

   In any discussion, when ideas of the world might threaten to hold us captive, it was Joanie who would begin by saying, “I gotta tell you . . . the Word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any two-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”  (Hebrews 4:12)

   You see, Joanie would want us to remember only one thing: “The Word of God is all there is.”

   Once, when Joanie was walking through a deep valley in her life, she asked me to write out the words of Lamentations 3:21-23 (KJV) so that she could focus on God’s Word for life.  “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.  It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.”

   Joanie wanted to remind herself: “The Word of God is all there is.”

   Spiritual maturity came early to Joanie.  I believe the Holy Spirit opened her heart and mind to the Words of the Lord and she hungered for them.   She learned to trust her Lord and Savior as she traveled over the hills and into the valleys of her life.  There are many ways to respond to the circumstances of life in a sinful world, but Joanie chose to respond by holding on to the Sword of Truth – the Word of God – with both hands.  That’s because she knew she was engaged in a daily battle for her soul and the souls of those around her.  In the battle, Joanie would say, “the Word of God is all we need.”

    One of Joanie’s favorite Christian authors was Oswald Chambers.  Some time ago, while reading this author’s book entitled “My Upmost for His Highest,” my husband, Paul, called my attention to Chambers’ commentary on Philippians 2:17.  St. Paul was inspired to write to the Christians at Philippi, “But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.” (NIV)  I believe the commentary offered by Oswald Chambers is the same commentary Joan Engel would offer to me, to you, and to all who labor in the pro-life church of Jesus Christ –

   “Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for the work of another believer – to pour out your life sacrificially for the ministry and faith of others?  Or do you say, ‘I am not willing to be poured out right now, and I don’t want God to tell me how to serve Him.  I want to choose the place of my own sacrifice.  And I want to have certain people watching me saying, ‘Well done.’

   “It is one thing to follow God’s way of service if you are regarded as a hero, but quite another thing if the road marked out for you by God requires becoming a ‘doormat’ under other people’s feet.  God’s purpose may be to teach you to say, ‘I know how to be abased . . . ‘ (Philippians 4:12).  Are you ready to be sacrificed like that?  Are you ready to be less than a mere drop in the bucket – to be so totally insignificant that no one remembers you even if they think of those you served?  Are you willing to give and be poured out until you are used up and exhausted – not seeking to be ministered to, but to minister?

   Joan Engel was willing – to be insignificant, to give, and to minister to the needs of others.  And, as she was being poured out, she reminded us all: “The Word of God – Jesus Christ! – is all there is.  There is nothing else.”

 By Linda Bartlett

July 1, 2005

for LifeDate, a publication of Lutherans For Life

Whatever

You’ve Got Going, Lord!

The woman was scheduled for surgery.  One day she called to tell me she was “getting her affairs in order.”  I didn’t think much about it as she went on to ask me a few questions about her durable power of attorney.  It was not odd for the woman to speak this way because I knew her to be a person of common sense.  She understood that the operation would, for all practical purposes, be a routine procedure.  Nevertheless, a few days later she called back to say, “Whatever the Lord’s got going here is fine with me.”

A few days before the surgery, the woman’s two daughters flew in to be close at hand.  The woman had a grand idea.  She told me she was planning a joyful “night out on the town.”  The evening was special indeed.  Over a leisurely dinner, the woman and her daughters shared many memories.  They laughed, then cried, then laughed some more as they lingered over a single glass of white Zinfandel.  Later, they returned home to curl up in the living room where they continued their story-telling into the wee hours of night.  “I gotta tell you girls,” said the woman, “whatever the Lord’s got going here is fine with me.”   

When the woman’s son called to say he would drive down to be with her, she assured him there was no need.  “You stay with your family right now.  I’ll see you soon.”  Then she penned him a loving letter with words that can only flow from a mother’s heart.  The message was conveyed once again.  “Whatever the Lord’s got going here is fine with me.”   

On the morning of the surgery, the woman woke early.  She slipped out the back door to say good-bye to her two dogs, the faithful companions who greeted her this morning as they did every morning.  Coming back inside, she slowly walked through the rooms of the house, touching her lips and planting a “kiss” on the photo faces of husband, children, and grandchildren.  The woman sighed, then picked up the bag she had carefully packed the night before.  With one quick glance over her shoulder back at the house, she walked to the car.  No one but the Father heard her say, “Whatever you’ve got going here, Lord, is fine with me.”

The surgery did not go as expected.  There were many complications.  The woman’s body grew weak and could no longer fight the battle of life over death.  In the distance, she could hear the great choir of heavenly angels praising God.  “Whatever you’ve got going here, Lord, is fine with me.”  Yet, there was a brief hesitation.  Perhaps she heard one of her daughters say, “We must let her go.”  Perhaps she heard her other daughter cry, “No!”  The woman waited as if she were giving her daughter time to adjust her thinking and receive the same peace that was now flowing through the mother.  It was not easy, but both daughters agreed, “Mom is ready.” 

And they entrusted her to God.

Days later, the daughters opened the bag which their mother had packed for her hospital stay.  In it were all the things that a woman would take for recovery from surgery – a few toiletries, a nightgown, a photo or two of family, books for passing the time, and a well-worn Bible.  Looking through the items in the bag, they paused to remember the behavior of their mother the morning she left home for the hospital.  They heard her sigh and saw her lingering glance at the house.  They knew she had written a “good-bye” letter of encouragement to her son.  But, at the same time, here was a bag filled with the items one would need for life.  

This was a woman who truly believed, “Whatever you’ve got going here, Lord, is fine with me.”  She lived each day ready to do those things God had already prepared for her to do, yet she kept her eyes focused on the Savior who would one day carry her home.  Her children agreed that, as long as they had known her, she had always spoken with excitement about her eternal home with Jesus.  Yet, never had they met anyone who was more content to be in the present – loving souls and sharing the Word of life.

This was a woman who eagerly expected and hoped that she would have nothing to be ashamed of.  She spoke boldly and honored Christ in her body.  Whether she lived – or died – it would be to the glory of her Heavenly Father. (Philippians 1:20-21)  And He abided with her.

And so, the peace that passed all understanding for this woman is the legacy that was given to her children and children’s children. 

“I gotta tell you, Lord!” the woman’s words still echo.  “Whatever you’ve got going here is fine with me.”

by Linda Bartlett

11/3/05