Cherish Each Day, Each Moment

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”James 4:14

On one of our trips to Colorado, we got up early to go into Rocky Mountain National Park to take some pictures before breakfast. It was a clear morning, with the sun shining brightly as we entered the park. We were driving along a road that would eventually wind its way to one of our favorite lakes for a quick walk. As we rounded a curve that overlooked a valley, we were treated to an amazing sight. The moisture and temperature were just right for a thermal inversion – covering the valley in a fog-like mist, while the sky above was crisp, clean and blue. We pulled over and took in the view for a few minutes – never in our 20 years of trips to Colorado had we seen anything like this.

It made for some hauntingly beautiful photos.

We drove that same road later that day, and of course the mist had evaporated. Gone.

In my life as a pastor, I know that there is profound truth in what James teaches about our years on earth: “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James is merely echoing truth that is gleaned from other places in Scripture:

- “Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath...” (Job 7:7) 

- “Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.” (Psalm 39:5) 

- “For my days vanish like smoke...” (Psalm 102:3)

Part of me wants to apologize because that really sounds harsh. But I think it's important to keep it real. Because the truth is, no matter how healthy we are, no matter how well everything seems to be going, the only certainty that we have is this very moment.

I don't say this to be a downer, or to rain on your parade. I say this because every moment we have breath is precious. Every moment our heart beats is to be cherished.

The truth is, every day is a gift. A sheer, undeserved, glorious gift. Don't let it go unappreciated. Give thanks to God for the gift of life, while you and those you love have it. Don't wait until tomorrow, because tomorrow might not come – for you, or for me, or for those you love.

Parents, tell your children how precious they are, and how much you love them.

Spouses, tell your husband or wife that your love is stronger today than the day you married.

Children, tell your parents what is on your hearts – we love you unconditionally.

Everyone: forgive, and seek forgiveness; love, and let others love you; encourage one another; treat one another with compassion and mercy and grace.

When you go to sleep tonight, give thanks to God, for God brought you through another day.

And tomorrow, when you wake up, give thanks to God, for God has given you another day.

Every day is precious. 

Every. 

Day.

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?