LifeDate Fall 2025 – Life … as We Age
by Rev. Paul Clark, Lutherans For Life of Michigan
We don’t always mean what we say, do we? Boldly saying something—even with the best intention—doesn’t mean that it will happen. Many things are simply out of our reach. Life is not a Disney movie. Our dreams and wishes don’t always come true. We make promises to God, to ourselves, and to others, including those most dear to us. All too often, those promises—like New Year’s resolutions—are quickly broken. Just saying something doesn’t make it happen.
George Bailey promised what he couldn’t deliver. In his effort to secure the affection of his sweetheart, George—played by Jimmy Stewart in the film, It’s a Wonderful Life—said, “What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word, and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down.”
That was a bit of overreach. He couldn’t do what he had promised. Even if Mary did say the word, George had no power to pull the moon down. Just saying something doesn’t make it happen. Except when it’s Jesus who speaks.
“When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, ‘Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.’ And he said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ But the centurion replied, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, BUT ONLY SAY THE WORD, and my servant will be healed’” (Matthew 8:5-8).
God’s Word cannot fail. When it’s His Word, that Word is enough. When it’s God speaking, things happen. Storms cease. Demons flee. The blind see. The lame walk. The dead rise.
JUST SAY THE WORD, LORD! And it is done.
For broken people, living in a broken world, this is good news. For those whose dreams have been shattered, whose lives have been capsized, whose hearts have been nailed shut, like a coffin ready to be buried, this is good news. For those who have been seized and paralyzed by their fears and worries, this is the balm that brings healing to the wound. It is the rainbow after the storm. Your sins are forgiven. Your debt has been paid. Your future is secure. Your hope springs eternal.
A young woman panics at the results of a pregnancy test. What will she do? How can she have this baby? How can she tell her parents? What will become of her life? Despite the circumstances that brought her to this point, that baby boy or girl in her womb is a gift from God. A gift should be treasured, not crushed or thrown out like trash.
Nevertheless, she is frightened and confused. But there is someone who can and will help her: It is Jesus, who knows every thought, who perceives every doubt, who sees every need. He is there; He who loved us, who died for us, who rose to bring life to the lifeless. “JUST SAY THE WORD, LORD!” And He does.
“Peace I leave with you” (John 14:27a). “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b). “I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
A feeble and elderly woman loses her husband after many decades of life together. The landscape now looks bleak and bare. A pervading loneliness sets in. The serpentine road stretches out before her. The way is dark. It frightens her. How can she possibly find the strength to carry on alone?
“JUST SAY THE WORD, LORD!” And it is done.
“The Lord is my strength and my shield” (Psalm 28:7). “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). “I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
In Texas, many mothers and fathers grieve over the loss of their children due to the tragic flash flood that took the lives of so many. It is unimaginable, a horrifying nightmare that no parent wants to contemplate. But the brutal reality here is that Jesus did not deliver those children from the perilous waters. It was a Christian camp that was especially devastated. That troubles us. Even knowing that we live in a broken world, even knowing that Christians are not exempt from suffering, these things still shake us up and challenge our faith in God’s goodness.
The fact is that life can be shattered in an instant. This world is rife with danger. But we do not succumb to fatalism. The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of faith in Christ. Only through faith can we understand how God can and does deliver us—EVEN through the portal of physical death.
As difficult as it may be to peer through the heavy shroud of darkness that so often envelops us, yet by God’s grace we can look beyond the pain-filled horrors of this world, and we see the glory. However, to do so, we must look to the Cross. It is only in Christ Crucified that we perceive what we otherwise would not know: That God so loved the world that He gave us His Son. Jesus does rescue us. Through HIS bloody suffering and death, you are reconciled to the Father. Through HIS resurrection, you are given the assurance of your resurrection. Life will triumph over death. God keeps His Word.
George Bailey may not have been able to do what he had promised for his sweetheart, but God always does what He has promised. And He will bring us home. Christ will return! Our bodies will be raised in glory. We will inherit a new earth. We will see all things restored. We will see Jesus. If God is FOR US, who can be against us?
Life is precious. Every life. And for those who believe in Jesus, each day brings us a step closer to Paradise.
JUST SAY THE WORD, LORD! And it is DONE.