Twenty days ago I was off of school and had just pulled in to the little town of Ronks, PA near the Sight and Sound Theater complex when Rachel called informing us that the Governor of PA had declared a state of emergency. What that meant to us at the time was that after the opening premier events of “Queen Esther” starting Saturday the theater was going to shut and wait to make further decisions. WHAT?
Soon texts from colleagues began to record a similar situation unfolding for Henrico schools and students. These were the first dominoes to fall in what, 20 days later, has been a series of mind spinning, question raising, attention getting, days. With every day the frailty of the human condition is made more obvious challenging the things that we knew to be essential and with every day comes a greater need to dwell longer and drink deeper from the scriptures. What do we believe, what is the anchor? Boiling it down even further . . . what ONE thing anchors my soul?
My mind bounces back to a pivotal exchange between Curly and Mitch (played by Billy Crystal), in the 1991 film comedy, City Slickers. After a couple of days of a small band of pale office professionals turned ‘urban cowboys’ experience a bit of nature and reality on a cattle drive. Their life-hardened guide, Curly (played by Jack Palance), asked the pivotal question “Do you know what the secret of life is? (Holding up one finger) This. One thing, Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest doesn’t mean anything.” To which Mitch earnestly asked, “What is the ‘one thing?’” Answer: “That’s what you have to find out.” I believe this is the essential question for us today as pre-assumed realities are eroding at breakneck speed. What is the one thing? In other words – what is the purpose for my life?
I know enough to know that I don’t have that answer that so, I am drawn to the word of God. Paul addresses this in many writing in the New Testament however if I had to choose ONE verse to summarize the ONE thing, I believe I would look to the passage in the first chapter of the book of Philippians which is then punctuated by these words in verse 27… “Just one thing: live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” For me this verse offers desired clarity. And this clarity revives faith and faith rekindles hope and hope does not disappoint as it comes full circle to the ONE THING – Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord, it is impossible to number and beautiful to recall the many ways in which you demonstrate your love for us. You shine at the center of everything. You restore us in love by your grace and mercy. True reality is the Gospel of Jesus and the redeeming work of Calvary all because You ‘so’ love us. You have given today to live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ and I pray that as we do so we show genuine care for others and trust your sovereignty. Amen
We Bless You Lord
Holy, Holy, Holy are You Lord. All consuming fire are You Lord.
We honor and glorify Your name today, may our hearts and voices rise to say . . .
We bless You, Lord! We bless You, Lord! With all we are, we bless you Lord
We worship You, O Holy One, in reverence and awe
With all we are, be bless You, Lord.
We Bless You Lord – Lyrics by Morgan Day