Hello everyone and welcome back to Character in Crisis! Thank you for joining us for this special 13-week book series! Let’s jump in!

Our story begins with a myriad of children all gathered together for Sunday School. Amongst the snowy white collars and blue ribbons is a boisterous bunch of boys. In the midst of these boys is Tip Lewis, affectionately described as, “the worst boy we’ve got!”

I love the way the author describes each scene, each character, and each moment; it’s all incredibly real and vivid—yet funny and ironic at the same time.

One of the defining characteristics of the boys is that they laugh at everything. While this may seem like an attribute of one who is good-natured and cheerful, what one laughs at says a lot about the condition of one's heart. The boys are described as simply turning and laughing in each other’s faces. They poke and tease each other and find humor in things that are not funny. Such careless laughter is evidence of what the Bible describes as a fool (Proverbs 14:9-19).

It is to these boys that the timid, fearful teacher, is to share a lesson. It is to them that she offers a story of salvation, hoping that in some small way, the Word of God might take root and bring forth fruit and that this fruit would remain (John 15:16).

“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” ~ Psalm 126:6

Such was the story of Miss Perry. Interrupted constantly, laughed at, and even ignored, she ends the class with discouragement welling up inside her. She is convinced that a man who knows how to handle such boys should teach the class—certainly not her.

Although it was a painful experience for Miss Perry, what resonated with me was how God was “working all things together for good” (Romans 8:28). One just never knows who might be listening and how God’s Word may be finding its way into fertile soil. There have been times in my life when God has called me to do something and I felt woefully inadequate.

Yet every step of obedience, no matter how uncomfortable, has its reward; we just might not experience it this side of eternity. Thankfully, a lack of immediate evidence is not proof that the fruit has fallen upon bad soil. To the contrary, God promises that “His Word will not return void” (Isaiah 55:11). He is bigger than our timidity and fearfulness!

As I meditate on this story, I cannot help but think of heaven and the testimonies that will spill forth. There will be much rejoicing, crying, and sharing of stories. I am sure my only response will be to fall to my knees and just weep; weep for the opportunities I had lost, for those I did in brokenness or trepidation and for those accomplished with courage, faith, and humility.

To bring this episode to a close, I invite you to consider an area in your life that the Lord is asking you to step out in obedience. Is there an area where your fear must be conquered by faith? As you consider these questions, I encourage you to take things a step further and meditate on the following “Reflective Questions."

Next week, Spencer Sakal will be walking us through chapters 3-4 of Tip Lewis and His Lamp. To get the most out of these studies, you will want to read these chapters in advance! I’m excited to follow along in this series as the spiritual lessons of Tip Lewis unfold and take root in ways that will not easily be forgotten.

Till next time,