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wings
It's time to get busy living
I WRITE TO YOU after completing a Holy Land Pilgrimage and attending the funeral of my father. The emotion of my trip to the place where Jesus walked and continues to walk was overwhelming, to say the least. I stood on top of Mount Nebo — the site where many believe Moses stood as God gave him a bird's eye view of the Promised Land — and was moved to tears. I could not help but imagine how Moses felt, gazing on the place he had labored for 40 years to lead his people to, knowing he would never see them enter. It was the most inspirational and spirit-filled moment of my Holy Land journey. I could not help but feel a tremendous sorrow for Moses, because he would not live to see the end of the story.
Of course, most of us never live to see "the end of the story," do we? We are all links in a Divine Chain, playing and living out our roles, that God's plan may be realized. I will never preach this portion of scripture the same again.
As I reflect on why this pilgrimage happened prior to the passing of my father, I can only say that this was a microcosm of life for me. Life is so filled with joys and sorrows – some here and some there. It is our reaction to these events that either helps us to get busy living or get busy dying.
Well, both this pilgrimage and my father's death have pushed me to get busy living. Moses lived and saw potential never realized for his people, but he didn't let that deter him or sap him of his desire to meet life or even to prepare for death. My dad lived like Moses. Carl Swanson lived life to its fullest. He always had a smile and saw joy and heard laughter in the wind. Even in death, he wanted joy. I have been on a pilgrimage that makes me more determined than ever to live life to its fullest — and that is done in and through a vibrant relationship with Jesus.
You, Holston Conference, have helped me do that. Your phone calls, emails, letters, cards, handshakes, hugs, and other displays of support have shown me the view from Mount Nebo — a view that life's possibilities should never be lost. I thank you, the wonderful people and friends of the Holston Annual Conference, for loving and supporting Delphine, JaNaé, Joshua, and me on our pilgrimage.
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Bishop James Swanson
Resident Bishop
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