Luke 9:62 — And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
A combination of things has slowed the flow of these pieces in the last few days.
It’s been a really hectic week, and on a couple of days I’ve just about managed to get home, eat dinner and fall asleep! I’ve had a lot of different topics to choose among, too. The main thing, though, is probably that I’ve simply found some of the ideas hard to write about — which is the case today.

I heard the other day of two couples planning to divorce. Sadly, not rare these days. But there is something tragic about these two cases. I use the word advisedly — not just in the sense of a sad, disastrous event, but based on the original sense of events involving a great person destined to experiencing downfall through a character flaw or clash with fate or the nature of society.

Truly the people involved in these relationships are not great — but they were leaders in their Christian circles, trying to help others come to know, or get closer to, Jesus. They were surrounded by materialistic societies where temptation abounds. And they had, perhaps, a flaw — they were so sure that they were secure, that it couldn’t happen to them. They are, tragically, not the Christian leaders that they were.

So is that it then? Are these four people done? Have they, by succumbing to the forces undermining their marriages, turned back from the plough and declared themselves unfit for the Kingdom? I know judgmental Christians who would certainly say so … quoting many scriptures to prove that “God hates divorce”. Their theology may be sound, but it’s limited. It lacks charity and redemption.

I choose to believe that the couples of whom I write are “missing in action”. All Christians are under attack, combatants in a fierce spiritual warfare. Those who seek to provide any kind of leadership are subject to the fiercest attacks. Perhaps that’s why James warns “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” (James 3:1). It is no surprise that many fail. Seriously wounded they retire from the combat, they disappear from Christian leadership.

Two husbands and two wives can’t be effective in their mission fields just now. But one of the glories of our faith is its focus on redemption. There are many encouraging stories of people who have fallen away and yet have recovered and returned to the battle. I choose to believe these folks are not spiritually dead — but only wounded, missing in action. I trust they will recover …