Endorsing the Right Leader – Part 12: Readings – 2
My introspection plumbed the secret depths and brought together all my misery in plain sight of my heart, so that a great storm broke, bringing a shower of tears. In order to pour out the whole tempest without holding back, I got up and walked away from Alypius, as it seemed to me that solitude was the best climate for the business of crying. I went to a corner of the garden where I wouldn’t be bothered by his presence. He sensed what my feelings were, for I probably said something in which the choking in my voice told that I was on the verge of tears. So I left, and he sat there more dumbfounded than ever.
In some way, I’m not just sure how, I threw myself down under a fig tree and let the tears gush freely. These were the streams that proved a sacrifice acceptable to you, my Lord. Not in the exact words of Scripture but in some similar vein I talked with you for a long time. I asked, “And thou, Lord, how long wilt thou be roused to such fury? Do not remember the sins of former times”—for I felt they were still holding me. I ended on a dismal note: “How long, how long? Tomorrow and tomorrow? Why not now? Why not put an end to my sin right this hour?”
I was going on like this, weeping in bitter dejection of spirit, when I heard a voice coming from the house next door. Whether it was a boy’s or a girl’s I don’t know, but it was singing over and over in a kind of chant, “Take up and read, take up and read.” Immediately my demeanor changed. I thought back over the children’s games I knew, trying to recall whether I had ever heard such an expression used. I knew of no such game. Stanching the flow of tears, I stood up, for I could only interpret the words as a kind of divine command to open the Scripture and read the first passage I came across. I had heard how Anthony once dropped in unexpectedly at a church service during a reading of the gospel, and was inspired by what he heard as if it were addressed to him personally: “Go and sell what you have and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me.” By this word from the Lord he was converted to you right on the spot. So I returned quickly to the bench where Alypius was sitting. When I had moved from there I’d left behind the copy of the letters of the Apostle. Now I grabbed up the book, opened it, and read silently the first portion of Scripture on which my eyes lighted: “Not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.” I had no need or wish to read further, for when I came to the end of the sentence, instantly, it seemed, a light of certainty turned on in my heart and all the fog of doubt disappeared.
Then marking the place by inserting my finger between the pages or in some way or other, I shut the book and in a tranquil frame of mind told Alypius what had happened. He confided something of what had been occupying his own thoughts—which I knew nothing about. He asked to see what I had just been reading and I showed him. He then looked beyond the passage. I had no idea what followed, but it was this: “As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him.” Alypius told me he applied those words to himself. They provided motive power to strengthen his determination to resolve his own situation and-without stalling and without making waves-to join me in a good purpose. It was just like him to do it, for his moral character had been better than mine for a long, long time.
We went into the house and gave my mother the news and she was overjoyed. When we explained to her how it had all come about, she was exuberant and triumphant and gave thanks to you who are “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” She saw that you had given her, on my behalf, far more than she was used to asking for in all her sobbings and groanings and wailings. You had converted me to yourself on the same rule of faith you had revealed to her for so many years before, and had turned all her mourning into gladness.
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Love Song, Augustine’s Confession for Modem Man, Sherwood Eliot Wirt, Harper & Row, pages 116-118.
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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about?
Or, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon?
David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Saturday or Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions.
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For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
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