Great Wisdom Comes from our Shared Life Experiences
Dear Friends,
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The Class President opened his remarks by telling everyone that he began his journey at the Rhode Island Fire Academy with great fear and trepidation. He didn’t know what to expect but he knew the program was going to be both rigorous and very demanding. “That’s why I brought along an employment application for both Dunkin Donuts and Walmart if things didn’t work out,” he joked. We all laughed. Needless to say, he passed through the Fire Academy with flying colors and earned the admiration of his fellow firefighters and the staff.
The keynote speaker that followed shared some valuable life lessons with the graduates. His remarks could also have been about the church. He told them that teamwork is the key to success. There is no room for Lone Rangers. We make each other better when we work together. The New Testament frequently uses the terms “one another” or “each other,” suggesting it was designed to be interdependent and created for mutual support among the believers. The apostle Paul compared the church to a body where every member is important to the success of the whole.
The speaker went on to say that they should never stop learning. He encouraged them to be reading continually and to never come to a point where they are satisfied with what they know. Life continues to evolve and bring new challenges. This principle is just as true for us as Christians. The Scriptures keep us connected with the will of God for our lives. As we go through life, our experiences demand more from us. It is all the more reason to be engaged in daily Bible reading, small group studies and regular worship attendance.
His next two points were interrelated. He said, “Be kind to the dinosaurs like me” and “Find a mentor.” In other words, look to those with more experience for insights and learn from them and the experience they bring to the table. This past week Rev. Joshua McClure went home to be with the Lord. He was 79 years old when I met him. One of my members arranged an introduction. I can’t tell you how much I learned having him as a mentor and friend. He helped me, a 50 + year old pastor with 30 years of experience, grow in my faith and my ministry.
The Scriptures tell us to respect our elders. We read in Leviticus 19:32, “You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man…” If that wasn’t enough the writer adds this… “And you shall fear your God. I am the Lord.” If God tells us to do something, then it behooves us to do it. In the Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting at the High School yesterday, we talked about following the example of those who have faithfully walked the walk of faith. There is so much we can learn from them.
Finally, the retired Chief who shared these words reminded the graduates to “Never forget the dangers of this profession.” His words were reminiscent of the words of the apostle Peter who wrote in 1 Peter 5, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” The apostle Paul told us in Ephesians 6 that our fight is not against “flesh and blood” so we need to put on the whole armor of God. That’s our PPE. Once we profess our faith in Christ, the devil goes all out to trip us up so we might fall.
The most heartwarming moment from that ceremony came as the graduates came up to receive their certificates. Director Mark Pare invited family members to come forward to capture a photo. The look of pride on the face of family members was touching. Then a magic moment happened. The Director invited the wife and infant daughter of one of the graduates to be in the picture. It was so beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes. In that same way, God wants to be invited to join us, in not only in our “Kodak Moments,” but in every moment of our lives.
It is Christmas. The Scriptures tell us that the tiny child born in Bethlehem was to be called “Emmanuel” which means “God with Us!” What a joy it is to know that we will never have to walk alone again. As we travel through the next few weeks of Advent, I hope you will make it a point to invite Jesus along for the journey. That’s why he came! It will open the door for a blessed Christmas season when he is in the picture.
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God bless. See you in church.
Pastor Cal