A Note From Rob ...
Week of November 15, 2009
Maybe it is because of my recent birthday with one of those numbers that end with “0”. Maybe it is because
of the scriptural reminder to count our days so we may get a heart of wisdom. Maybe it is just because the text this
Sunday is beginning to turn our attention to the end and we are closing in on the end of the liturgical year with
Christ the King. Who knows why but lately I have been thinking about what to do with the rest of my life. Does
that ever happen to you?
Some of you may just scoff at my confession and remind me of the number that identifies life here for you
which is greater than mine. Some may respond that their number is not as large as mine and therefore it is not time
to think about the rest of life here on earth. While both have merit the reality is that each and all of us are at the
starting line. As the familiar adage tells us, “This is the first day of the rest of your life.”
So, what will we do with the gift of remaining days? How might the counting of these days give us a heart
of wisdom?
Recently I was speaking with two people who are more than a decade my senior. One spoke of the joys he
was planning with the rest of his life. Trips, relaxation and doing whatever he “@&%# well pleased” was his plan.
He had earned the right to just “take it easy.” The other asked the question, “I wonder why God has left me here.
What I am supposed to do for Him?”
The two extremes are clear. It has been over 30 years since an older and wiser man told me, “People can be
divided into two groups, those who give and those who take.” While I acknowledge the extremes, I would suggest
that very few are so polarized. Most of us fall between the poles. Like persons divided on a see-saw we try to
balance life between giving and taking. Most often we are not like the scales, in perfect balance.
However, I would agree that the human does have tendencies toward one extreme or another. What do you
think? Because they are made up of those same humans, churches and institutions also exhibit the same choices and
priorities.
Maybe you might join me in considering what we might do with the rest of our lives. I look forward to
considering this on Sunday during worship.
RETURN
|