“The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:4-8
A few phrases from current wise, worldly, sages that I have heard since retiring ten years ago; a new fifth wheel trailer, traveling, a $60 golf outing, a two-week European river cruise, buying a new villa or cabin somewhere in the mountains or the dreaded one; another surgery cause its back. At times it seems like people ‘have’ to find something to do when they retire; hour after hour of monotony and mediocrity mesh like teeth in well-made precision gears. One spawns the other, leaving us yawning, bored, and adrift; day after long day without fresh entertainment. As a child, did your parents entertain you? In referring to monotony, I do not have in mind a lack of activity as much as a lack of purpose. We can be busy yet bored; involved yet indifferent. Life becomes tediously repetitious, dull, humdrum. Try putting a spoonful of salsa on your eggs tomorrow.
I’ve talked with farmers who took their last crop to the grain elevator, a local TV news anchor, physicians out of the office, ER and hospital corridors, a few Pastors who gave their last message and a few engineers who put their slide rule on a shelf. Show me an individual who once soared in their given profession, whose life was characterized by enthusiasm and excellence, but who no longer works hard to reach those heights, and I'll show you a person who probably didn’t have a plan for the remainder of their journey on this side of Heaven.
Take a close look at these 22 Haitian children giving thanks for their noon meal of rice and beans; $5.50 for their lunch. I asked my daughters recently what their AC was set on, as mine is 78. None of these 22 school kids in a hot, open air classroom have ever experienced climate control and for most of them, the plate on their desk is their meal for the day.
As you sit here, possibly beginning another drab and seemingly meaningless day on this side, please know that God is there! He is with you on your journey through the desert. He cares! He knows! From your yesterday to your tomorrow; God is and will be there with you and these 22 Haitian kids.
From the beginning of their school year to the end of school year, God is there for each of them. From the assignments that will never really make the headlines like your profession may have done; God is there. He is there! So, my friend, put some salsa on your morning eggs and if you want to make a difference with the time you have left and break out of your daily schedule, please prayerfully consider donating the next round of golf to feed these 22 or trade that river cruise for sponsoring their whole school for a year with Trinity HOPE.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay