| They say things tend to go in spurts. In an NBA game a 20-point lead can evaporate in minutes. It is easier to win game seven in a winning streak than game two. Funerals often come in threes. I think I just may be in the midst of one of those spurts this week! Sunday was innocent enough – the only item on the schedule was to preach at Bethlehem. Monday’s major calendar items were attending a Bible study, making a hospital visit, and attending a Zoom meeting with the District President … and, of course, having Joel come for dinner. Tuesday started with leading worship and hosting our Circuit pastors at St. Peters and concluded with bringing communion services to three very different homes. At 6:30 Wednesday morning I was at another Bible class, followed immediately by a mentoring session with someone hoping to become an LCMS pastor. The day wrapped up with officiating a funeral (with luncheon), hosting an initial “communion cluster” at Betty Jane’s Bar & Grill, and passing through a 100th Birthday celebration. I will let you contemplate how much prep time was interwoven in between. The rest of the week looks more “normal”. This morning starts with me watching Andi and joining the Friars for coffee. After that I have 5 visits scheduled before attending our weekly “Family Time”. Friday I just have to prepare for Saturday and the following week – plus I hear the opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics starts at 2:00. Saturday morning I facilitate “Revitalization Workship III” at Bethlehem. That, I think, is more than enough of a “spurt” for an old man (who’s about to get older) like me. On my wrist I wear a bracelet that states, “You may be retired, and getting older by the minute, but you are still called to make a difference in the life of others.” It is worn as a reminder that God in Christ Jesus is giving me the health and other blessings of “old age” – not to be selfishly hoarded – but that I might share the blessings of my Savior as opportunities present themselves. I am a firm believer in the theory that one who doesn’t focus upon blessing others generally misses noticing how truly blessed they are. In the midst of Jeremiah’s lament he states, quite forcefully, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is (his) faithfulness.”(Lamentations 3.22-23) This reminds me that, at any age, the life of a believer is filled with blessings and purpose … at every age, appropriate “pacing” is all about being good stewards of all our blessings (including time, energy, health, etc.) … and at all ages we are called to be a blessing to others (Why is it so easy for us to see newborn babies as a blessing even though they are totally unaware and passive in the transaction, but so often struggle to see the same in a person at the other end of life’s journey?) What did that Bible verse say? “The steadfast love of the Lord NEVER CEASES; his mercies NEVER COME TO AN END; they are new every morning; great is (his) faithfulness.”(Lamentations 3.22-23) Do you understand what the word “never” means? Did you see the phrase “every morning”? Jeremiah certainly has it right when he says, “Great is (his) faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3.22-23) Thus, though it might often feel like life comes in spurts, the reality is that whenever one looks at a week in the life of a believer, the overwhelming outpouring of blessings is a constant. And the opportunities to share those blessings with others have no end. Or, as you may have heard, GOD IS GOOD … ALL THE TIME! And, though I may add a few extra lines to the wording on that bracelet on my wrist (It actually says “you make a difference”) I wear it as a constant reminder (which us old people need … as do a few younger people I know) of the purpose God gives to every week in our lives, for “Great is (his) faithfulness.” I pray that this week your eyes will be opened to ever more clearly see the blessings … as you then become an ever more joyous and generous steward of those blessings (By the way, what do you think might have been the text for yesterday’s funeral sermon?) |
A Week in the Life
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