Good morning, brothers and sisters.
Our verse for today comes from Colossians 1:4, “Having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints.”
I read a book a few years back about a college professor and one of his students. They become very close during their time together on campus, sharing many meals and casual time together. The student even gives a gift on his graduation day to the professor, not wanting to forget his favorite teacher, and not wanting him to forget his cherished student. They embrace, and the graduate vows to keep in touch as the professor cries a few tears of both joy and sadness. But he doesn’t keep in touch. He drifts along aimlessly through life for a while, writing songs and trying to make it as a musician, until his uncle dies of pancreatic cancer. Having watched him die that dreadful death, he realizes that life is fleeting, and so he vows to live a full life and not just show up for a job each day like his uncle had done. So off he goes, returning to graduate school, getting a job in journalism, and making his way up the ladder. Many years pass, and one night, while he’s flipping through the tv channels, he hears the name of his old professor. His health is fading, and people are interested in what he has to say, and how he will face his final days on earth.
So the student goes to visit him, ashamed of letting their friendship fade, ashamed that he had become the very adult that he had such contempt for as a young man. And thus begins a time of regular visits between student and mentor, the final chance for him to glean whatever wisdom he can from the dying sage. You may know the book I’m reading, but I have intentionally omitted its title and author, for this reason. When you hear some of the story, what does it make you think about? Depending on your life and memories, your thoughts could run the entire spectrum. And in the midst of those thoughts, I want us to think about our story, and what images it might provoke in someone who hears it. When they hear some of what we are about, will they know our title and Author? Will our plotline, though filled with broken promises and wasted time, always tend upward towards our Lord? It’s never too early to assess the past, especially if you care about your future.
As we seek Him today, think about the story you are writing. Ask God to make you an active part of His story, rather than a passive observer.
Have a great weekend.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
