Don’t worry. Be faithful!
By Ron Matthews
My morning routine starts when I turn on the coffeepot and look out the window to see what’s happening. When we lived in a Johnson City condominium my view was into the back door of another condo, where each morning the neighbor’s cat would be sitting looking back at me. I waved and said, “Good morning,” but the cat’s only response was an unblinking stare. That’s typical of cats, isn’t it? They are so nonchalant with that “never let them see you sweat” attitude. The interesting thing about this cat was that she was strictly an inside cat. Not once did I ever see her venture outside the condo. She just sat at the window and stared as the world passed her by.
A lot of people do the same thing.
They sit on the sidelines of life in their comfort zones and watch the world go by. In an era of terrorism, crime, and a flu vaccine shortage, we are tempted to go into hibernation mode. We look for security and seem to forget that ultimate security is not to be found in this world. Regardless of how we try to preserve, protect and defend ourselves from real or imagined threats, the fact remains that we are all terminal. This is a temporary duty assignment – not a permanent location – and our Commander has a job for us.
My plan is to step outside the safe zones and live my life without constant fear and dread of what might happen to me. Life is short at best, and I don’t want to miss anything God has in store for me. I want to live life rather than merely observe it. This means that I must be willing to take risks. Over the years, there have been several occasions when Pat and I faced difficult decisions about where we would live and serve. We have no regrets about any of those choices. I affirm this from the perspective of hindsight, because we were not always so confident during the moments of decision. However, God has been with us and blessed us in every circumstance of life. With that experience, I will trust that the future is safe with God, and although there is much in this world I don’t understand, I trust in God’s providential love.
The 1989 movie, “Dead Poets Society” starring Robin Williams as Professor Keating, has a wonderful segment in which the Professor calls the class forward to look upon a photograph of former class members. He says, “They’re not that different from you, are they? Same haircuts. Full of hormones, just like you. Invincible, just like you feel. The world is their oyster. They believe they’re destined for great things, just like many of you. Their eyes are full of hope, just like you. Did they wait until it was too late to make from their lives even one iota of what they were capable? Because, you see, gentlemen, these boys are now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen, you hear it? Carpe – hear it? Carpe, carpe diem. Seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary.”
In other words, step outside and live life.
Martin Luther wrote, “If you listen to the Law, it will tell you: In the midst of life we are surrounded by death. But the Gospel and our faith have changed this song and now we sing: In the midst of death we are surrounded by life!”
May the God of green hope fill you up with joy; fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope! (Romans 15:13, “The Message”)
Don’t worry. Trust God. Be faithful. And remember, hope is not on the way. Hope walks beside us!
The Rev. Matthews is Maryville District superintendent. Reprinted with permission, The Maryville District Messenger.
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