May 31, 2011

5-31-11 Tuesday, 6:06 am Springfield, 73 degrees, partly cloudy

Yesterday was a good Memorial Day. It was David and Danelle’s (my son and daughter-in-law) second anniversary, and they attended the Cardinal game in St. Louis. I rode the Kawasaki to the Wilson Creek National Battlefield where I have an annual membership. I changed into running clothes and ran the five-mile loop (with more walking than usual). Two trips to the grocery store and I got all we needed to barbeque burgers. I was able to work in the garden (at last!), and got the final tomato plants in the ground (raised from seeds since February) and sowed some more okra and a hill of squash. Even for a small garden plot, there is a lot of work to keep it weeded and tended.

As I was thinking about the garden, I was reflecting upon the church. There is some planting that does not take off, there are some conditions that are not favorable, and then suddenly become fruitful. One of the main requirements for pastors and leaders is constant attention and care. The same is true in one’s family. The natural processes of plowing, planting, cultivating, tending that the garden requires are instructive for servant leadership in the body of Christ.

II Sam 17

David and his fighting men have left Jerusalem as Absalom has seized the throne. Absalom is advised by Ahithophel to send 12,000 troops immediately (tonight) to seize and kill David while he is bone tired. David’s secret ally Hushai gives Absalom different advice, to take the whole army after David (which will take longer). Hushai then sends word to David of what the two sets of advice are that were given to Absalom. David spends the night moving his forces further away from Jerusalem, across the Jordan river. When Ahithophel realized his advice was not followed, he went home, put his house in order, and took his own life. When David arrived at Mahanaim, three leaders provided food and bedding for him and his army, realizing they were famished and weary.

During periods of revolt and rebellion, it must be very difficult to chart the right course. Who do you support, and what risks do you take with your own safety when mighty forces are at odds? This is the spiritual reality today. The forces of good and evil are at war, and each person has a daily choice of how to be involved. The key is to know right from wrong, and to know which force will prevail. The scriptures teach us that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Light, and He will overcome in the end. I am privileged to serve Jesus today with everything I have, and to lead others to do the same.

Guide my steps on this last day of May, most holy, powerful Lord.