Pastor's Reflection for January, 2006
Janet shared with me this week a poem that she found on the internet.
Isn't it strange how princes and kings,
and clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
and common people, like you and me,
are builders for eternity?
Each is given a list of rules; a shapeless mass; a bag of tools. And each must fashion, ere life is flown, A stumbling block, or a Stepping-Stone.
As we move into the new year of 2006, I think this poem is a good reminder of the possibilities God has given to us - and the second chances and new opportunities to do better than we have.
We are indeed builders for eternity; what we contribute to the common good in the brief time we are given on earth is never a lost good. Paul writes to the Corinthians that in taking the good news of Christ to all the people, he built a foundation, the foundation which is Jesus Christ, and that now others are building upon it. "Each builder must choose with care how to build on it." (1 Cor. 3:10ff.)
May we choose with care in 2006, so that what we leave will be stepping stones to new possibilities for ourselves and others, rather than stumbling blocks that will impede the spiritual journey.
We have been given a powerful "bag of tools" to fashion our contribution to the common good:
- The grace of God, without which nothing is possible.
- The gift of hope, which prompts us to look for new openings rather than declaring dead ends.
- The gift of peace and reconciliation, which looks for ways to build bridges rather than erect barriers.
- The spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, and worship, which keep us "on track" and continually point us toward God's way.
- The fellowship of faith - the mutual support we gain from one another in community, especially when we feel our own spirits begin to sag.
We all know how easily and imperceptibly little things add up to bigger things. (I am especially thinking of calories in this holiday season!). So too with all of a life - a drift hardens into a destiny before we're even aware of the change setting in. But it works the other way too: the little "fashionings" of good we undertake in life, the seemingly small gestures, the reaching-outs in care, compassion and practical helps - all of these subtly and almost imperceptibly fashion a future that can be our legacy to generations to come and indeed, to eternity.
Where can we start? What opportunities will cross our journey in 2006? Let us keep our eyes and our hearts open as builders of faith, fashioners of stepping stones.
A Joyous and Peaceful New Year to All.
By the way. the poet is R. Lee Sharpe and found, among other places in Masterpieces of Religious Verse (ed. James D. Morrison, Harper, 1948)
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