The Wonder of It All

I think I'm getting old. There are those (my kids?) who would ask, "What took you so long to figure that out?" I don't feel old. Well, that's true most of the time. Full disclosure requires that I admit to times of aches and pains that are new. I still like the slogan I first heard from a friend many years ago (Larry Whittlesey): "I may be getting older, but I refuse to grow up." I understand that Satchell Paige, perhaps the greatest pitcher ever in baseball, said in answer to a question asking how old he was, "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you was?" (It's my understanding that there wasn't a record of when he was born.)

My point about age is that I believe reflection is something that comes (or should come) with age. Perhaps it's because we ("aged ones") have more time. Perhaps it's because we have more perspective. I'm not sure why it's true, but I find myself thinking more about things. Sometimes it means that I see things differently. Often, I find myself more convinced about some of the things I've held dear over the years. Time for reflection has become a valuable thing in my life.

One of the things that I've found myself thinking about over these four months in Asia is the "wonder" of being called into Jesus' service. Of course, one of the treasured doctrines of the Christian church is the priesthood of all believers - every person who names Jesus as Lord has been called to serve the King of kings. Those of us who have been called into "full time ministry" have the special privilege of additional training and opportunities to serve that the "laity" miss out on. Suzanne and I just spoke a few minutes ago about how amazing it has been to see how God has used us in the last three summers. In 2006 we were in Brazil. In 2007 we were in Central Africa. This year we moved to Central Asia for a year. Why us? It is amazing that we've been honored to have these experiences!

When I take time to reflect on the One who has called me to Himself then called me into His service, it causes me to pause in wonder. The One who put the stars in place, the One who ordered the seas and raised the mountains from the plains, the One who breathed into man the breath of life and saw His Son breathe His last on the cross of Calvary, the One who then called Jesus from the tomb and to His rightful place at the Father's right hand has called me to work for Him. Amazing!

"Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my life, my soul, my all."