Tip Lewis and His Lamp: Ep. 13
Weekly Reading: Chapters 26-28
+Downloadable Study Guide Questions Below
Hey everyone and welcome back to our final episode of Character in Crisis—where did the time go?! Over the past 13 weeks we’ve watched young Tip Lewis grow into a fine and promising young man, and today our story draws to a close.
What I love about the ending is that it beautifully parallels the beginning. On page 267, Edward travels to his home town and has a joyful reunion with the men who helped make him the man he is today. Everyone is awed and impressed with steady, respectable “Mr. Lewis,” and wants to shake his hand. Edward has the pleasure of seeing his boyish dream fulfilled. For, as he had lain on his back as a youth, looking up at the cloudless blue sky, a world of thoughts had filled his mind…
“I’d like to have the people say, ‘there goes Tip Lewis; he’s the best boy in town’…That would be funny. I don’t believe they could ever say it; they are so used to calling me the worst, they couldn’t help it. What if I should reform? I declare, I don’t know but I will.”
How far our hero has come! What a blessed journey Edward has found himself on. God in His Sovereignty placed mentors in his life every step of the way. Mr. Minturn invited him to a Fourth of July party where the gospel was shared and offered him a job opportunity; Mr. Holbrook shared the gospel and gave him a “Lamp” to help guide him along life’s path; and Ray Minturn became his math tutor, spiritual mentor, and patron—enabling Edward to fulfill his dream of one day becoming a minister. Edward’s very life proclaims the truths of Psalm 37:3-4,
“Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
To put this analogy into perspective, consider young Tip. God put in his heart the desire to make something of himself. Then, every step of the way, there was God—fulfilling desires, opening (and closing) doors, and increasing faith.
“Who shall roll away the stone?”
Mr. Holbrook had preached on the familiar passage in Mark 16. Just as God rolled away the stone for the women to see the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection—so can he take care of whatever problems lie in our path. As a boy, Tip took that verse to heart and committed his way unto the Lord, trusting in Him to bring it to pass (Psalm 37:5) in His perfect timing (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Through the hardship, the trial, and the darkness, Tip’s Lamp guided him through—giving Mr. Holbrook’s words new depth and meaning with each answered prayer.
“No matter how dark the road might be, this Lamp will be a light unto your path—if you’re willing
to use it.”
As we bring this series to a close, I invite you to reflect upon this story and the faithfulness of God. Are you in the midst of a time of surrender, prayer, and trust? Has God done a great work in your life, like Tip? What desires has God put into your heart?
Wherever you are, whatever your situation, it is my prayer that this little story has been an encouragement and inspiration to you. May the life of Edward Lewis refresh and inspire us to live a life of greater dedication, courage, faith, perseverance, and prayer!
In the words of D. L. Moody,
“The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him! By God’s help I aim to be that man.”
Till we meet again,
Molly Mayo
Writer/Editor
P.S. If you’re fighting anxiety, struggling with trusting the Lord, or trying to seek His will, Psalm 37 is a powerful portion of Scripture to read and memorize.
P.P.S. Thank you for reading and joining us for this series. We look forward to our next Character in Crisis series that will begin in the fall. In the meantime, we encourage you to join us for our Summer Reading challenge that will begin May 27th!
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Tip is a leader, but not the kind you’d want in your Sunday School class. Not only is he full of sarcasm and provocations, he is the naughtiest boy in school…until he hears a story that compels him to come face-to-face with who he is and who he would like to become.
Meet the compelling character of Tip Lewis. He is refreshingly down-to-earth and irresistibly real. You will find his trials as your trials, and his joys, your joys. You will feel as if you were reading about your own life! The character of Tip Lewis will touch your heart and show you what it means to walk with Christ.
Behold, if any man is in Christ he is a new creation. Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17