“Papa, why are your teeth yellow?” our granddaughter asked me as we sat upon the couch watching who-knows-what on the television. The question caught me off-guard, even though it was not the first time she had posed the question of me (The first time had been quite some time ago, but under similar circumstances). Thus, without really thinking I responded with my “default” answer, “I guess it’s because papa is old.” Oh, what a great privilege it is to be a grandparent.
Earlier that evening – or it may have been a different night this week (but I think not) – I had a different privilege. The privilege was meeting with a family whose patriarch was called home to heaven over the weekend. In the house with me was the widow, two (of I think five) sons, two daughters-in-law, one grandson, and one friend. Many stories were told in the midst of planning for next week’s funeral. Oh, what a privilege it is to be allowed to minister to families at such a time.
Yesterday afternoon I drove north an hour or so to where I grew up. I drove past the high school from which I graduated (Saginaw Buena Vista – which has been closed for a decade or more), turned right onto Airport Road, and met with a family at the Buena Vista Cemetery. In the casket was a high school classmate and friend of mine. His wife had given me a call very similar to the one Rick had made to me about 19 years ago. His call came because they were between churches at the moment, their twenty-something son had died under very tragic circumstances, and he had heard a rumor that I had become a pastor. Oh, what a privilege it is to be a friend in times of need … to friends old and new.
The remainder of my day was filled with a mélange of activities and conversations. It had started with a great early morning conversation around Philippians 3 and 4 at STL. After the funeral I drove to Houghton Lake and spent the remainder of the day bagging leaves that we left in piles last fall (while listening to another exciting Tiger win as I drove). This took place after changing out of my suit during a visit with my brother-in-law. The conversations, beyond those with family included a pastor friend calling for prayers for his wife and good news from a congregation leader with whom I have been working. Oh, what a privileged life I live!
I have more leaves to bag today – though the weather forecast does not excite me. This evening I will participate in our weekly family time via FaceTime. Sunday I will lead worship at a transitioning congregation and then lead them in a conversation about their future. Tuesday is the second funeral and the following Sunday I’ll be helping a city congregation in worship. And I almost forgot to mention the visit I made in a hospital to a “near-100” friend on Wednesday morning. Oh, how the privileges pile up!
However, I dare say that, while in some ways my story is unique, in one very significant way it is not … whether you recognize it or not, you also live a privileged life … as do all the baptized children of God in Christ Jesus. Why do I say this? Because “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” (Philippian 3.20-21)
All “citizens of heaven” haven been granted incredible privileges … though each unique to our own circumstances. The privilege is that of being the “face of Christ” or “the voice of the Gospel of peace” in every conversation … every relationship … every circumstance in our lives. Do you see what a great privilege this is? I am sure you do as you consider how distressed the world in which we live is.
Last year someone gave me a bracelet with an under-side inscription reading “you make a difference.” I now wear it as a reminder that, even though I am old and retired, I am still called to make a (positive) difference in this world. And I think you should be wearing the same reminder … even if you are neither old nor retired. Knowing that all of God’s children of every generation have this same calling, Paul goes on to say “therefore, my sisters and brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.” (Philippians 4.1)
Oh, yes, it is a very privileged life we live … and I am praying that God will continually grow your joy in sharing it this week.
A Privileged Life
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