August 11, 2006

I’ve been considering the impermanence of my life this week. Not many laughs in this meditation, but quite a bit of food for thought. It began with a party that ended with four church members going to the hospital. (Yes, I just nonchalantly said four.) My grandmother also went to the hospital with a broken hip. In addition my daughter doesn’t want to fly if she can’t carry her tooth paste. (neither do several thousand other people)

My thoughts weren’t so much about death as about how quickly things can change. We move from hilarity to sobriety in hours – even minutes. When life is good, we have not a care in the world – at least not on our mind. And then circumstances change and we wonder if we’ll make it through the day – or at least the next year.

When I was a younger pastor, I’d read prophecy scenarios and marveled at the fanciful imaginations of popular ‘theologians.’ Today I read Daniel or Revelation and think that I could be right in the middle of those fantastic images within a week or two. Chaos and catastrophe are no longer lifetimes away for me.

So am I selling out and moving to Montana? No. Am I pulling out all my investments and buying precious metals? Of course not. Am I wondering how I will every make it? Absolutely not! I am wanting to get more in the habit of not taking my life for granted. I do want to be intentional. I value perspective.

It appears change is inevitable. So what? Ah, the so what is that my response isn’t. I have a choice. Will I grow or stagnate? Will I transform or retreat? Will I freeze or advance? The possibilities are endless. So is the God who wants to take me on this journey.

T"hen I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us?” And I said, “Lord, I’ll go! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

Be at peace,
Pastor Steve