Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

James Strauss and his prodigal God

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Luke 15:31-32
My son, you are here with me always. Everything I have is yours! Now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again. He was lost and now he's found!

James Strauss lived his life as a Christian and died on Wednesday, March 19. Jim was the impeccable elder brother, shouldering many cares in the name of his Father and in the name of Jesus. Students of every age depended on his wisdom and humor to reset their paths and remind them of God's grace. Here's his obituary: https://www.lincolnchristian.edu/news-and-events/article.php?id=358

Jim found and shared with others God's forgiveness, God's amazing grace, and God's infinite and eternal choice to be our shepherd, not our jailor. He died on the last day of the hardest winter we have endured for many years.

To fly away after trusting God day after day for 84 years (more or less) is to move into rest. Silence now instead of words. After writing millions of words, Thomas Aquinas finally said they were just straw that burns up in the fire and wind compared to the deep intellectual rest he found in the beautiful presence of God. Jim too.

Jim felt responsible to so many. What's that like? How can I help when only God can help but I must help too but how? Help me, Lord to know who, how, when. No more. Now rest.

Margaret's stories about Dr. Strauss in Lincoln Christian Seminary philosophy classes prepared me a bit for his curiosity, his speed of movement, his eyes that roved to and fro and found you and stayed with you. How he asked his questions. How he taught you, as Francis Schaeffer taught him, "how we should then live." How he left students fuller and richer and in touch with their gifts. His laughter, and his poignant, big, lapdog heart. He was, she said, "way too smart for most of us. And always so patient with me, helping me learn what I could learn."

Two small vignettes: in 1979 I'd left the Unification Church, the Moonies, and returned to Lincoln after a few years of living, working, and soaking up Rev Moon's ideas. Dr. Strauss found out about me from Margaret, and he was very curious. He wanted to know whatever I could tell him about this strange new church. I shared my books with him and he devoured them. He never told me what to think; his respect and mutuality defined our relationship.

In 2012 thirty-three years later we were having a birthday party in Springfield at the Red Lobster restaurant, and Jim Strauss strode up to our table full of life, with his great big smile. He wanted to say hello to his students from two generations - Chris and Melissa and Margaret. Jim filled up the space around him. Big personality. Lots of love and lots of respect and lots of humor. We were all so happy to see him.

Now we let him go. Not our memories, not what we learned. But we say goodbye as Jim goes on to deeper rest, rich and pregnant silent Presence, sweet and spacious, full of God. Thank you Lord, for Jim's life. God bless us, every one.

Bright shining star, rushing toward heaven, resting in your arms, Lord, we fly away to your home and ours. Holy, holy, holy.

Devotions Archive

James Strauss and his prodigal God

Saturday, March 22, 2014