Make Me a Reflection

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (Psalm 103:8)

Make Me a Reflection

Lord, make me a reflection.

Make me a reflection of you.

You have created me in your image. Show me how to live so that I accurately reflect your image. As I try to represent you in the world around me, I want people to see the kind of Lord you are:

  gracious

    compassionate

      patient

        kind

          faithful

            forgiving

              present

Lord, make me a reflection of you.

You care about the poor, the hungry, the homeless. Make me to care, too. Make me a reflection of you.

You care about justice, and righteousness, and truth. Make me to care, too. Make me a reflection of you.

You love unconditionally and eternally. Make me to love, too. Make me a reflection of you.

Lord, make me a reflection of you.

On Being Faithful

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant...?” Matthew 24:45

“Will you be a faithful teaching elder, proclaiming the good news in Word and Sacrament, teaching faith and caring for people?”Ordination Vow #9, Book of Order, Presbyterian Church (USA)

It's been a busy season in my life. I ended 2017 by concluding my time as the pastor of the Georgetown Presbyterian Church in Georgetown, South Carolina. It was tearful good-bye to a wonderful congregation full of people who loved and nurtured the Wilkins family for over 12 years. The people God put in my life during those years will forever remain precious in my heart.

January not only ushered in a new year, but also a new call in ministry. We packed up our house in Georgetown (no small feat, I assure you), loaded up the moving van, and made the three-hour journey up the road to Clinton, North Carolina, where I am now serving as the pastor of the Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church. The move itself was a major task – and probably will be referenced at some point in a blog later on. But after four weeks, we are unpacked, organized (somewhat), and jumping full steam ahead into the busy life of the church and our new town. In the short time we have been in Clinton, we have already come to love this new congregation. From the get-go, we have been embraced by our new congregation with warmth and kindness.

On Sunday, February 4, I was “installed” as the pastor. That's church-speak for “I was made official” by our Presbytery (our regional governing body). The installation took place in a worship service on a rainy afternoon, but no amount of rain could dampen the mood that we felt that day. The handbell choir had put in extra time practicing for the service. The choir had rehearsed a special anthem that had been written by our music directors as a commissioning hymn (full disclosure: they had written it for another occasion a few years ago, but it served very well for my installation). Guests from the Presbytery came to celebrate with us. A friend and colleague gave an excellent and inspiring sermon. And the women of the church put together a beautiful reception with an amazing spread of food.

The installation portion of the worship service consisted of several questions to which I must provide an affirmative answer, as well as a few questions to the congregation seeking their affirmation, as well. It's a kind of marriage ceremony, if you will – we promise to be together as pastor and congregation through all seasons and circumstances.

The last question I was asked was, 

“Will you be a faithful teaching elder (Presby-speak for pastor), proclaiming the good news in Word and Sacrament, teaching faith and caring for people? Will you be active in government and discipline, serving in the councils of the church; and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?”

Will you be a faithful teaching elder... proclaiming good news... teaching faith... caring for people... Will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ? This is where the rubber meets the road for me in ministry – faithfulness in all things for the sake of manifesting Jesus Christ.

Faithfulness has always been a special goal of mine. I long ago gave up perfection. I long ago decided that I didn't need to be the most popular or charismatic pastor. I settled for faithfulness.

Actually, faithfulness is not something for which we are content to settle. Faithfulness is a daily striving to live into the claims of the gospel. Faithfulness is pouring myself into everything God calls me to be and do. Faithfulness is being available, and present. Faithfulness is demonstrating that the trust given to me by my congregation and my Lord is not given in vain.

I want to be faithful, because I have been loved. I have been loved by God, and I have been loved by the people I have served as a pastor – from Cleveland, North Carolina, to Midland, Texas, to Georgetown, South Carolina, and now in Clinton, North Carolina.

When Jesus asks, “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants of his household to give them their food at the proper time?”, I want from the depth of my heart for Jesus to be able to look at me and say that I answered that question in the affirmative through my life and ministry.

At the installation service, an elder from the Presbytery gave the charge to the pastor. She referenced the passage at the end of the Gospel According to John, where Jesus says to Peter, “Feed my lambs... Take care of my sheep... feed my sheep.” If I am faithful in ministry, I will feed the sheep with whom God has entrusted me. Even more, if I feed the sheep entrusted to me, I will be faithful.

Lord, help me to be the faithful and wise servant. Help me to feed your sheep. Help me to love your sheep. Help me to be faithful. Amen.

Living the Far Better Way

“But now I want to lay out a far better way for you.”1 Corinthians 12:31 (The Message)

On August 12 I attended a memorial service for a man who had been a mentor and a friend for me, and for my two sons – for my whole family, really. Malcolm Williams was the founder and director of Camp Country Lad in Monterey, Tennessee. Since 1962, Malcolm had dedicated his life to molding the character of boys and young men through his summer camp. 

His memorial service was held at the outdoor church of the camp – a collection of hand-hewn log benches arranged in a semi-circle facing a beautiful lake; a lone cross stands at the front of this amazing “sanctuary.” Over 300 CCL alumni and friends of Malcolm and his family attended the service, most of whom traveled several hundred miles just for the occasion.

The day was full of tears and laughter. At 82 years of age, Malcolm had lived a wonderful life, and he had a powerful impact on thousands of boys and young men through the years. Throughout the day – including at the service, around the lunch table, along the hiking trails, and around the campfire that night – people were telling stories about the personal influence Malcolm had on our lives.

I am grateful beyond words for the wisdom, love, and friendship that Malcolm shared with me and my two sons through our more than 35 summers at camp (cumulatively).

But this blog entry isn't simply about an exceptional man and role model. I came away from the weekend in Tennessee with a powerful spiritual insight reinforced in my heart.

My experiences at CCL, and my recollection of Malcolm Williams, brought to mind for me the fact that the New Testament contains a vast collection of lists – lists that lay out for us how we should live and what life should look like for followers of Jesus Christ.

Jesus shared such a list in his famous “Beatitudes” of Matthew 5:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God...(Matthew 5:3-9)

You find similar lists in Paul's writings, such as in Galatians 5, where Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Or in one of Paul's most-quoted passages, where he describes what love looks like:

Love never gives up. 

Love cares more for others than for self. 

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. 

Love doesn’t strut, 

Doesn’t have a swelled head, 

Doesn’t force itself on others, 

Isn’t always “me first,” 

Doesn’t fly off the handle, 

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, 

Doesn’t revel when others grovel, 

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, 

Puts up with anything, 

Trusts God always, 

Always looks for the best, 

Never looks back, 

But keeps going to the end. 

Love never dies... 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (The Message)

There are other lists with similar exemplary character traits for which we should strive in our lives. The point of all these lists, I believe, is to paint a picture of what it looks like to grow and live into Christlikeness. We are, after all, a new creation in Christ; it only makes sense that life in Christ looks different than life without Christ. To conform our lives to the traits enumerated in these lists is, in a very real way, to show the world what Jesus Christ is like.

Even more than the words we say about Jesus, the way we live as his followers helps people understand and experience Jesus and his infinite, eternal love for us.

While I hope we all strive for these Christlike traits for our lives, every once in a while you come across a person who manifests Christlikeness with grace and humility. Malcolm Williams was one of those people. He embodied the character of the person described by the beatitudes; he exhibited the fruit of the Spirit in its completeness; and by the way he related to others he fulfilled the definition of love.

Malcolm would be the first person to tell me to stop describing him like this. Because he was humble to the core. And it was never about him. It was about Jesus, who loved Malcolm with an everlasting love, and whom Malcolm loved with his whole being.

And ultimately that's what it's all about. It's about letting the love of Jesus Christ fill our hearts and inform our lives. It's about living in such a way that when people see us, they get a glimpse into the One who has saved us and who has made us who we are: Jesus Christ.

So here's what all of us should do. We should look at those lists, and ask, “Does that describe me?” When Paul tells us that love is patient, kind, not envious or boastful, etc., is Paul describing me?

Because if those traits describe us, then it means that Jesus is shining through.

Think of the people who are the Malcolm Williamses of your life – people who have been your spiritual mentors, or people whose lives make you want to be a better person. Take your cue from them, to live your whole life making Jesus known.

I want to share a poem that was on the back of the bulletin for Malcolm's memorial service. It speaks to the importance of living the exemplary life, because others are watching. It makes me ask myself, when people see my life, am I comfortable with them following in my steps?

I hope so. 

For Christ's sake, I hope so.

A careful man I want to be;

A little fellow follows me.

I do not dare to go astray

For fear he'll go the self-same way.

I cannot once escape his eyes,

Whatever he sees me do, he tries.

Like me he says he's going to be;

this little Lad who follows me.

He thinks that I'm so very fine,

Believes in every word of mine.

The base in me he must not see;

this little Lad who follows me.

I must remember as I go

Through summer's sun and winter snow,

I'm building for the years to be;

The little Lad who follows me.

Walking the Level Path

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”(Psalm 143:10)

Carol and I went on a quick vacation to Colorado recently. I love the mountains – the cool, thin air; the ever-changing horizon; the awe-inspiring vistas at every turn of the road or trail. One of our favorite destinations is the Rocky Mountain National Park. There are dozens of trails with hundreds of miles of exhilarating and breath-taking sights.

On our fourth day at the park, we were driving along the Trail Ridge Road (the highest continuously paved highway in the U.S.). This year we had Carol's sister and brother-in-law, and a good friend from Texas with us. As we were beginning to make our way down the road back to our cabin, I turned to Bill (my brother-in-law) and said, “You know, there's a trail up ahead that I've always wanted to hike. It will take us all the way down into the park, and Carol can come pick us up in a couple of hours.” Bill said, “Sounds like a good idea to me.”

So we pulled over at the Ute Trail trailhead, and Bill and I got out of the car. We put a couple of water bottles in a backpack, a rain jacket, and at the last minute I grabbed the hat that Carol had put in the back of the car. We told the women good-bye. Then I knocked on the car window, and when Carol rolled the window down, I told her in my most serious dramatic voice, “If anything happens to us, know that I love you.” Carol laughed and said, “Be careful. I love you too.” Then I grinned, turned around, and Bill and I began our six and a half mile hike.

The Ute Trail starts above tree line. For the first two miles of our hike, we were treated to beautiful mountain views on our right, and left, in front of us and behind us. Above tree line, plants and animals have to scrap for life; the fierce winds and the long winters make for harsh living conditions. Nevertheless, we saw some beautiful wildflowers, some of them growing in lush green grass, some of them growing in the shelter of big boulders.

The trail at that point was relatively flat, and was well-worn. For the first two miles, Bill and I were able to walk at a nice pace, given the high altitude (about 11,500 feet above sea level). After a little more than an hour, we could see that the trail would begin to descend at a crest just beyond an outcropping of rock. Then, as the saying goes, it would be all downhill from there.

A picture of me. Just before my trip
Notice that the trail is not flat.
And there are lots of rocks.
Photo credit: Bill Hays

At the outcropping of rock, the trail became less distinct. I was in the lead, with the backpack on my back and my camera hanging around my neck. As I was walking along, I looked to the left and to the right, trying to discern the trail. I should've been looking straight ahead and down at my feet, because I tripped on a rock. I don't really know what happened, but I know that I stumbled a couple of times and then I was propelled head first into a sizable rock on the ground.

Life lesson: When your foot hits a rock that is firmly embedded in the ground, the rock wins. Every. Time. And when your head is propelled into a rock that is firmly embedded in the ground, the rock wins. Every. Time.

There I was, on all fours, at 11,500 feet. I let out some sort of guttural noise (maybe even a few choice words), and grabbed my hand. I knew right away that I had cut my head. Poor Bill, he saw the whole thing, and he got to me just as I took off my hat and exposed my wound.

At this point, I need to say a word of thanks to my Mom. Mom taught me a long time ago to keep a handkerchief in my pocket. So I took my hanky out of my pocket and pressed it on my head wound to stop the bleeding. It worked like a charm.

Bill and I sat there for a few minutes. I know my adrenalin was pumping, and I think Bill's was too. I took stock of my state – no broken bones, no bruised knees or twisted ankles. Just a gash on my head, and that was under control. So I said to Bill, “I think we can make it all the way down to the trailhead where Carol will be waiting for us. Let's go.”

We didn't have any first aid stuff with us (another life lesson, I suppose). So I took off my sweatshirt and tied it around my head to keep the handkerchief on the wound.

Another picture of me. After my trip.
Photo credit: Bill Hays

Dorky, but effective.

Fast forward to the end (because I know you don't want to hear about the entire hike): We met up with Carol a couple of hours later; she took me to the ER in Estes Park (shout out to the fine people there!), where I was in and out in less than an hour. My souvenir for the trip: seven staples in my head, and a throbbing headache. We were back on the trail the next day.

After our return to South Carolina, I found myself at my desk at home during my quiet time one morning. These words of the psalmist jumped out at me:

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”Psalm 143:10

Hint: it's the part about “level ground” that really struck a chord with me. I have learned that level ground is much easier to navigate. It's also easier to stay vertical on level ground.

What is true regarding the paths our feet tread is also true regarding the path we choose to follow in life. You see, if we veer from the way God leads us, we will find ourselves on rocky soil. And we'll trip and fall. And probably get hurt.

God has shown us the way we should go. He has given us his word, the Bible. 

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105) “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9)

Even more, God has given us his Word, Jesus Christ. “Follow me,” he says. “Come to me, and I will give you rest.”

Look, I'm not narrowing God's word down to a bunch of rules that say “thou shalt,” and “thou shalt not.” To be sure, those are in the Bible, and we need to heed them. But really, I'm talking about the life-giving nature of God's word. Because the more our lives are informed by God's word, the more we will discover God's love, God's righteousness, God's truth. And God's truth is life. Abundant, everlasting life. Choose the level path that God has made for you.

I learned a little bit about level paths while I was in Colorado. But I also learned of the goodness of God, who delivered me. Even though I stumbled and fell, God got me up and he delivered me to safety. From now on, I'm going to be more careful about the paths I choose to hike.

Listen, I know that sometimes we make wrong choices, and we take the wrong path. And we stumble and fall. But God is gracious and compassionate, and he will pick us up and give us the opportunity to get on the right path again. 

And again. 

And again. 

That's the kind of God we have. His love is everlasting.

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16)  

Pollinating for Jesus

“How are they to hear without someone to proclaim Christ? And how are they to proclaim unless they are sent?” - Romans 10:14b-15

If you've followed me on Instagram (@RevSHW) or you are one of my Facebook friends, you know that I love to take pictures of moths and butterflies. It started out as a fascination with the intricate design and detail you can see on these amazing insects, when you take time to look at them. 

I'm blown away by God's artistry in creating these beautiful (though sometimes bothersome) winged creatures. But recently I've also taken an interest in their function, not just their form. You see, we have always had mediocre results in our vegetable garden in years past. This year, though, we decided to plant more flowers than vegetables – because the flowers are beautiful, but also because we have had better success with the flowers. As it turns out, the flowers have benefitted our vegetables, because the flowers attract bees, butterflies, and moths that help pollinate the vegetable plants. So this year, we're enjoying success on both fronts.

When we bought our plants for our garden, the owner of the nursery suggested we buy a special variety of basil that not only would provide wonderful flavor to our cooking, but even more because she said that this particular variety of basil is great for attracting the much-needed pollinators. So we put the plant right alongside our vegetables, and the results have been wonderful.

It got me to thinking about the wonder of pollination, and how a vegetable plant is able to bear fruit. Now, I'm not a botanist by any measure, but I do know just a little bit about pollination. Before I 'splain what I know, though, you need to make sure that no young children are reading this because, well, pollination is a subject for mature audiences only. So please make sure any children are looking the other way.

Ok, here goes. Pollination is when the pollen from a male flower is transferred to a female flower.

Makes me blush just thinking about it.

In all seriousness, most plants need help in pollination. They need the assistance of insects or wind to transfer pollen. In most cases, pollination doesn't happen on its own. Pollen has to be shared in order to bear fruit.

I see a parallel in the Christian faith (Of course I see a parallel. I don't just write these things without also showing some relevance to faith, you know). Here's the deal: Good news doesn't share itself. Good news has to be shared. Just like there has to be some way to share pollen between plants in order to bear fruit, so does there have to be some form of transmission of the Good News of Jesus Christ in order for the gospel to bear fruit.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul has this to say about sharing the gospel:

“...if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved... The scripture says, 'No one who believes in him will be put to shame'... for 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'” (Romans 10:9-13)

So Paul establishes the centrality of believing in Jesus and calling on his name. But doesn't someone have to know about Jesus and his love before believing in him and calling on his name and following him? Of course they do. That's why Paul continues his teaching with this series of rhetorical questions:

“But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? 

(Romans 10:14-15)

You see, someone has to tell about the Good News before it can be heard. Someone has to demonstrate what the love of Jesus is like before it can be experienced and understood.

If the gospel is going to spread and bear fruit, Jesus needs some pollinators to do the work of taking the gospel person to person.

Back in 1978, one of the predecessor Presbyterian bodies of my current Presbyterian denomination affirmed a threefold definition of evangelism (or gospel pollination, if you will): The General Assembly of that body affirmed that 

• “The proclamation of the Kingdom of God is Evangelism; 
• the love of Christians one for another in the fellowship of the Christian community is Evangelism; 
• and the life style of the Christian person and the Christian community in radical obedience to the biblical mandates of the Kingdom of God in the world is Evangelism.” (Presbyterian Church U.S., 1978 General Assembly)

In other words, if we are going to pollinate the gospel around the world, we need to share the gospel by proclaiming the salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and we need to demonstrate the transforming power of the gospel by loving one another in the Christian fellowship in the same way that Jesus has loved us, and we need to live in obedience and faithfulness to the demands of the gospel as given to us by Jesus in his life, his teaching, and his word.

There's an old poem that puts it well. It's kinda cheesy, but still it makes the point:

You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day 

By the things that you do and the words that you say, 

Folks read what you write, whether faithless or true, 

Say, what is the gospel according to you?

Do folks read His truth and His love in your life, 

Or has yours been too full of malice and strife? 

Does your life speak of evil, or does it ring true? 

Say, what is the gospel according to you?

In the end, we pollinate the gospel by rubbing shoulders with our fellow human being, telling them of God's love for them, and showing the world what God's love, mercy, and truth look like.

I think we can do that. I know we can do that.

What is the gospel according to you?

Relationship Goals

Love never fails...(1 Corinthians 13:14)

Last month I had a really cool opportunity. One of our church members is the activities director at a nearby retirement community, and she asked if I would officiate a vow renewal ceremony. Five couples assembled in a lovely courtyard in front of a fountain, as about 25 family members and other residents gathered to witness the renewal of their marriage vows.

Before the ceremony, the couples gathered in the hallway leading to the courtyard. Even though they had all been married well over 50 years, they were giddy with excitement as they processed to the fountain. When we reached the part of the ceremony where they renewed their vows, I went to each couple individually, had them look each other in the eye and repeat after me:

I, (Fred, etc.), embrace you, (Diana, etc.), as a gift from the hand of God;

and I reaffirm my promise,

before God and these witnesses,

to be your loving and faithful husband (wife);

in plenty and in want,

in joy and in sorrow,

in sickness and in health,

so long as we both shall live.

It was a beautiful thing to see grown men and women choke up and their eyes well up with tears, even after 50, 60, or more years of marriage. What a joyful evening it was! Of course, it was over at 7:30 – can't let something like a vow renewal ceremony make them late for bed...

I left the evening uplifted, encouraged, and hopeful. I thought to myself, “I want Carol and me to be that way in our 80s.”

Later on realized that I didn't need to attend a vow renewal like that in order for me to be inspired; I have my own parents and Carol's parents to serve as wonderful “relationship goals” for our marriage. In fact, as I post this on my blog, it is my parents' 60^th anniversary.

Happy Anniversary, 

Sidney and Kaye!

60 years. What an amazing example of steadfast, persevering love. 

Carol's parents are about to celebrate 62 years of marriage.

I am, truly, inspired.

As I think about the secret to longevity in marriage, my mind immediately focuses on love. (If you know me, you will know that love is pretty much the secret to everything!) But the kind of love that will fuel a marriage through the years is more than a warm, mushy feeling inside you. The kind of love that marriage requires that self-interest diminish, and the welfare of the other increase. Paul describes this kind of love in his words found in 1 Corinthians 13:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails...

I think about the people who have been married for so many years (like my parents, Carol's parents, and the folks at the retirement community). I realize that they have gone through seasons of great happiness; but they have also faced tremendous challenges together that were anything but happy. They have had to forgive, and ask for forgiveness. They have been rich, poor, sick, and healthy. They have made sacrifices for their spouse and family.

And through it all, love. In Colossians, Paul lists a number of noble character traits that followers of Christ should manifest in our lives. You know, things like compassion, kindness, gentleness, humility, forgiveness, patience. Words that most of us would want to be used in describing ourselves. After listing these noble character traits, Paul says this: “And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:14)

All this, to say that if we want to reach relationship goals like my parents, we have to love. I am forever grateful to my parents for demonstrating this to me, every day.

Love. It really is that simple.

Not easy. But simple. And mandatory.

Now these three remain: Faith, hope, and love.

And the greatest of these, is love.*

*Paul's words, not mine. But I wholeheartedly agree with Paul on this one!