PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

                Today I turn 71 years old and so now all of my practice at being an old man is finally paying off. I have not yet perfected the arts of shuffling and mumbling, but I do have a penchant for falling asleep at the drop of a hat. This, I suspect, may be directly connected to my other penchant… getting up at between 2:30 and 3:30 every morning.

                 As far back as I can remember I have always been an early riser. I remember as a youngster sneaking out of my grandfather’s cabin up at Mt. Saint Helens.  Carefully stepping over the bodies of the sleepers in the darkness of morning, I would walk to the bottom of the clearing to sit on a log and await the first rays of the sun to hit the mountain.

                I often thought about how much people were missing as I watched the grey ghost of the mountain slowly morph into dazzling whiteness as the sun turned the snow into blazing glory.

                The grass in the meadow was covered with dew and the air was filled with the fragrance of sweet alder and wild strawberries. Even in my foolish teenage years, I could not help but give glory to God as I sat there in the chill of morning, watching the ever changing artistry of our Creator as He painted His breathtaking scenes across the sky.

                I still miss Mt. Saint Helens. Like an old friend she still haunts my memories, most of them good and magical and full of awe.

                Spirit Lake was so clear that to swim in it was more like flying than swimming. I went Scuba diving there a couple of times and it was almost spooky swimming out over the underwater cliffs that plunged about 200 feet into the oblivion of deep blue darkness. So many memories crowd my mind as I think of all the places I have been, the experiences I have had, the joys, the sorrows, the challenges and the blessings.

                Foremost in my mind today is thankfulness for the patience of God, who used all things good and bad to shape and to form my life. When I was young I thought I was really something… full of unwarranted pride and self- determination, I thought at times that I could improve upon God’s plans. But now I know that but by the grace of God I would not even be alive now, let alone practicing my shuffling and mumbling.

                In the end the only thing we have is the new spirit that God has created within us… and when this temporary dwelling place we call this body has gone back to the dust only that which is eternal within us will remain to praise the Lord.

                It’s kind of funny. Last week one of the young boys at church came up to shake hands with me as He always does. His father is the drummer in our worship team and a genuine man of God.  Anyway, his son asked me how old I was and I told him that I was 70 and going on 71. His honest and respectful response was, “Being that old do you think about death much?”

                I laughed and answered him: “Yes, as a matter of fact I do think about death more. I have a different perspective on it now than when I was young. When I see a beautiful sunset, or the leaves changing into fall, I wonder how many more seasons I will be able to enjoy all of this. But I don’t’ fear death as much as I thought I would when I was young. I know the next step is eternity with Jesus. It’s all good.” I told him. And with that he said “Oh…Okay… I’m going to find my friend now, goodbye pastor Rick.”

                It is easy to tell the children that are raised by godly parents… who see godliness demonstrated in their home day in and day out. And today I would like to pay tribute to my parents as well and to the many pastors, teachers, friends and loved ones that helped to guide and shape and mold me. For even though I lost my way for a number of years and struggled with rebellion and doubt and selfish ambition… those parents and friends and loved ones who were faithful to God eventually  produced in my life the good seed they had planted there.

                Oh yes, I am still very much a work in progress, but Jesus has promised to carry me to the finish line. “He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” Eph. 3:20. In other words, God has planted the Seed of His Word in us and the Holy Spirit has come to water that Seed and we are the soil into which that seed has been planted. Praise the Lord! Whatever we are becoming, it is straight from the work of His hands.

                Do we know that we are sowing seed? Do we give up on the rebels thinking they are a lost cause? Do we think to plant and water and feed the good seed even when it still looks brown and hard and dry and wrinkled, or do we dig it up and throw it away. Given the patience that God has had for us, should we not repay patience in kind to others?

                “Jesus said: “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘From His innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38

                Every one of us who has the Holy Spirit can water the seed, both young and old that has been scattered around us.

                Let us not be so full of self that we cannot see all of the dry seeds around us that just need water. Selah