Category: One Life

Time Keeps on Slipping

September 3, 2016 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

“Stranded,” the sign read. Scribbled on a piece of cardboard box, it continued something like this: “food. shelter. Anything will help.” The young woman holding the sign, sitting between a parking lot and the street looked like she had been crying. She looked frightened, like she’d been fighting off wolves. She was desperate.

I’m one of those guys who cannot pass by a homeless person, a beggar, someone in need, without helping. When I first got married, I also picked up every hitchhiker I saw. My wife cured me of that. I can’t give much, but. I give as I can, when I can, to whom I can.

This day was different. Uncharacteristically, I didn’t stop. I couldn’t; I was late and in traffic at a busy intersection. This woman’s tears, though, broke my heart. Still, I couldn’t stop.

Her face haunted me all day. I failed her. No, I failed God. I gave her nothing because I was too busy. Running late. Too much to do. Not enough time. People waiting on me. Too many irons in the fire. Couldn’t hold up traffic… You get my point.

All I could do was say a prayer. “Send someone to help her, God.”

“That’s why I routed you past her, so you would see her and help her,” He said.

“I couldn’t. Send someone who has more time.”

“Time,” said God, “is the only thing that you, my children, are given in equal amounts. You all have the same amount of time in a day.”

—–

I will never forget How scared she looked, how alone. How helpless. Most of us, myself included, are one or two paychecks away from a situation similar to hers.

Lord, help us to make better use of the time you’ve given us. Help us not to be so scared when the wolves are howling outside our doors. Help that woman, wherever she is today. Send someone to her not quite so calloused as I was that day.

Sounds are rushing

Noises crushing

Telling us this
Telling us that

Too many voices

Too many choices
Better not miss
Better stand pat

Good Shepherd, wolves circle round.

Can’t you hear our fearful sound?
We cry out in the dark of night.
Lead us into the daylight.
For, we are lost without your love.

– S Hager 2016

Nothing More Than a Bunch of Babel

February 4, 2016 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

Standing near the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, due east of St. Louis, the ancient pile of dirt known as Monks Mound rises nearly 10 stories above the surrounding flood plains. A thousand years ago, it was the focal point of the largest city in North America. Occupied by the primitive ancestors of the Siouan tribes, the city may have had a population of 40,000 people. The mound is one of hundreds constructed, and the tallest of all.

The largest ancient earthen mound in the Americas — Monks Mound, the largest ancient earthen mound in the Americas

Though parts of it have collapsed, it is shaped much like the pyramids of the Incas, Aztecs, and Mayans in Central and South America. Concrete has replaced wooden steps. Signs and markers explain the best theories of the site’s history and primative use as a religious center (a pre-Columbian temple once stood on Monks Mound).

This visit to the Cahokia Mounds site had me remembering something ancient in my own life, the story from Genesis 11 of the Tower of Babel. Likely, you remember it, too. Generations after the flood of Noah, man had mostly forgotten God, had become proud and haughty, and had begun reaching for the heavens. They built a massive city, and, in it, a tower that would be the envy of the entire world.

Yet, to God, their accomplishment was nothing. So insignificant was their construct that He had to “come down” from heaven to see their tower. God is no respecter of persons. Our works are but filthy rags to Him. All have sinned and all fall short of the glory of God.

By their actions they proved that they had exchanged the truth of God a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator. As a result of their sin, God confused their language, and scattered man across the earth.

The act of building the tower was not in itself a sin. The sin was their pride, their worship of self, and the act of setting up system of government without God as its center.

I am reminded that God is to be the center of everything that we do. He is to be Lord and Master of every aspect of our life. Our life is to be lived for His glory, not ours. We are to worship the Creator, not His creation.