Hope Road

Polishing God’s Monuments [Jim Andrews]

Polishing God’s Monuments by Jim Andrews ****

Journey with a family that has been in a furnace of almost unimaginable affliction for twenty years. When Pastor Andrews’ daughter and her husband came down with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 1987, neither they nor their parents had any idea that this would be the first in a rash of cruel diseases. Juli and Paul, the daughter and son-in-law, were subjected to so many limitations by Juli’s illness that they could not even lead normal lives. Juli could not read a book or be near Paul after he had been out in public - at some points, she could not even set foot on the floor to get out of bed. And their promising lives as young, brilliant college graduates took a devastating turnaround.

Against the backdrop of this grievous tale, Jim paints a picture of trust in God’s faithfulness and simple, day-to-day faithfulness. His image of “polishing God’s monuments” is one I will not soon forget. He says that when we are in the depths of suffering, unable to grasp what God is doing, we must rely on the great things God has done in the past, both for us and for others - thus, polishing His monuments of faithfulness. Jim extends this metaphor in numerous helpful ways, discussing honestly and forthrightly the struggles of suffering saints, and giving compassionate, pastorly advice learned in the trenches of pain. He was a Bible and hermeneutics professor for a number of years, and his pastoral advice is deeply rooted in unshaken biblical principles.

Though the writing itself is not particularly spectacular, this story is one many Christians should read. The pageant of faithfulness played out on the pages - both God’s faithfulness, and the family’s faithfulness - is yet another monument to polish and remember.

Recommended age level: 13+.