where waves grow sweet

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

I’m very grateful to my sister who alerted me to the new season of Downton Abbey, a brilliantly written and acted soap opera – period piece, I mean – which was left unresolved at the end of the initial mini-series last year. I’ve now made it through the first two-hour installment of the new season and eagerly anticipate watching the following installments, collecting by the week on my DVR.

We are already familiar with the characters of the Crawley estate, from the aristocrats to the servants, and are now witnessing the changing dynamics of the household as England enters World War I. I was quite taken with a conversation between Ana, a sympathetic housemaid, and Mrs. Patmore, the estate’s cook who has just received word that a loved one is missing in action and presumed dead.

The master of the estate is well-connected and able to find the necessary details for the anguished cook. Both women are aware of this fact. But Ana knows the character of her master; that he is willing – not just able – to act on his servant’s behalf. With no other possible avenue of resolve, Mrs. Patmore begrudgingly agrees to request help from her master and is rewarded by a personal experience of his generosity in agreeing to seek out the desired information, his faithfulness in following through, and his kindness through the care with which he communicates his findings. The lowly cook is bestowed with dignity by the gentle humility of the highest in the house.

Strong and powerful people are rarely seen as approachable. There is often good cause for this; we see it acted out daily in society. How quickly, then, if we see God as strong and powerful, we may conclude that he won’t have the time to listen or the care to bother with our troubles. But if we, like Ana, know the character of our master or, like Mrs. Patmore, have the courage to test it, our God will demonstrate his willingness to extend himself on our behalf every single time. It is not a patronizing response, but one of true compassion birthed of a humble love for his people. How much our confidence in approaching him will grow as we ask for help and find it in greater measure than we ever could have imagined. And how lovely it is as we become servants who know our master and confidently nudge others toward the broad shoulders that so lovingly carry our burdens.

One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Psalm 62:11-12