Waiting for the Cupbearer

I love it when Eddie and I can connect with dear friends over the internet. While it is a hassle to set up zoom calls and accommodate schedules, the effort is always worth it. The phrase "waiting for the cupbearer" comes from one such call.

Yesterday we were catching up with friends who are also on their way to living overseas. Unlike us, Covid's arrival has pushed back their departure. Like us, they are in a season of waiting. Our friend, Murray, starting talking about the story of Joseph from the Bible. In that story, God had promised Joseph an amazing future, but real life looked nothing like those promises.

At one point in Joseph's life, he was falsely accused and sent to prison for years. Joseph, who was innocent, had no recourse but to be faithful to God and wait. He gained the favor of the captain of the guard and was given responsibilities that were not afforded to others. Sitting in a dungeon, all but forgotten by the outside world, I can imagine that God's earlier promises probably seemed like a cruel joke.

Then one day, the pharaoh's cupbearer ended up in prison with Joseph. He too, was innocent and hoping to be freed. While the cupbearer was there, Joseph told him about God and helped interpret his dream; a gift of his. Joseph implored the cupbearer to remember him to the king. The cupbearer was restored to his position in the palace, but forgot to mention Joseph for 2 more years!

Those years in prison were formative for what was to come. They were years spent relying on God, learning how to serve others and administer in the prison. They were not lost years, but I imagine they were lonely. I imagine there were days when it seemed God had changed his mind about His plans for Joseph.

Then, out of the blue, the cupbearer remembered Joseph and told the Pharaoh about him. Almost overnight, Joseph was not only freed from prison, he was set up as administrator of Egypt. All the visions and dreams Joseph had seen as a young boy were suddenly and shockingly taking place.

Our friend, Murray, reminded us that at the right time, a gatekeeper can mention our names to a person of influence and our whole lives can turn on a dime. The dreams we've had to make a difference in the world, the promises from God that we've held onto, can still happen! It's not over until it's over and God isn't in the business of failing His people.

So if you find yourself in a dark place. If your dreams seem further away than ever before, I encourage you to be faithful in the place you find yourself in, waiting for the cupbearer.

Challenging Church Taboos

As newbies to Belize, we regularly find ourselves having committed a cultural taboo. Sometimes we see it in the blank stares looking back at us, in response to something we've said. Sometimes by getting a phone call or text, our Belizean friends letting us know we've stepped our foot in it (again). There really isn't any getting around it. We depend on insiders to help us understand things from their perspective.

The trouble with depending on others to teach you about taboos is that they are, by definition, not to be discussed. Someone from the inside, who holds the knowledge, has to take the risk of breaking the taboo in order to teach others about it. They are the gatekeepers.

We don't always have a Belizean along to help us navigate cultural taboos. We often learn the boundaries by bumping into, or walking over them. The same is true with young people learning the boundary markers of their faith. They depend on older, more experienced believers to give them a heads up about what they may face along the journey, or help them process when they've overstepped the line.

Sex is a taboo subject in most circles here. Because of this, sexual health and premarital relationships become enshrouded by mystery and sinister connotations. Instead of shedding light on the facts, consequences and supports available to young couples, they are left uneducated and unsupported as they navigate their first forays into non-familial relationships. The result: scores of young people contracting HIV/AIDS, having unplanned pregnancies, living in domestic violence and more.

Upholding taboos allows darkness to grow. It causes the allure of the unknown to grow, it causes people to hide their actions in order to avoid societal shaming. Not talking about a taboo subject doesn't keep kids on the "straight an narrow," it keeps them from reaching out for help.

Young people depend on us to talk about the physical, emotional and spiritual implications of life choices; to lend our experience and wisdom to what can be a very confusing and overwhelming season of their lives. Without us, they are left to be educated by friends and the media, neither of whom have the answers they seek.

John 8:12 says: Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

As Christians, we are tasked with discipling others. That means following Jesus, the light of the world, not allowing darkness to persist. It means walking with them, asking and answering questions as they come up. No subject should be taboo, no topic off-limits. The ones we ignore or shove under the rug won't just go away- they will become obstacles in their path.

If we want to see the next generation free from the world's enticement, we must throw-open the curtains and shed light on what has been hidden in secrecy. We must be willing to speak about taboo topics and discuss difficult matters. Young people aren't satisfied by being told not to question their elders. They want answers, they want truth and they desperately want hope. Will we be brave enough to cross the taboo line?

Flooded

Hurricane season in Belize has been active, but mostly harmless this year. In September, Hurricane Nana made landfall. Some crops were wiped out and there was some damage, but much less than was expected. Last week, Eta hit Central America with a punch, causing record-breaking flooding in many parts of Belize. Thankfully no lives were lost, but scores of families have been displaced, their houses and businesses lost to the flood waters.

Belizeans are resilient. They are working together to ferry people past washed-out roads, to feed and clothed displaced families, to create temporary shelters from the storm. Without a large national emergency budget or individual home/property insurance, the cleanup will be costly and take time. In a year like 2020, I wonder how much stamina they have left. At what point do you raise the white flag and surrender?

Belize's general election is tomorrow, November 11th. The country will be electing its next Prime Minister in the midst of double National Emergencies: Covid 19 and hurricane relief. During this current administration, corruption has soared and become commonplace, leaving its citizens ignored, battered and jaded. I wonder how long can they weather that storm before losing strength.

Psalm 69:1-3

"Save me, O God!

For the waters have come up to my neck.

I sink in deep mire,

Where there is no standing;

I have come into deep waters,

Where the floods overflow me.

I am weary with my crying;

My throat is dry;

My eyes fail while I wait for my God."

Whether our storms are medical, political, financial or meteorological, we've all felt inundated and out of our depth; flooded by circumstances and feelings of helplessness. God's Spirit offers peace in the storm; steady ground to stand on. There are practical things we can (and should) do to right wrongs. We should deliver aid, we should vote and reach out in love. But when the waters rise despite our most valiant efforts, only He can pull us out of the pit.

Psalms 69:13-16

But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. 14 Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. 15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.

16 Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.

This week, may we draw on the Spirit to guide us in actions of grace and mercy. May His Spirit help us keep our heads above water.