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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
Front Row Seat
May 25, 2005
Dear friends,
When I accepted the invitation to take part in last week's graduation
ceremony for Three Rivers Community College, I never expected to be
right in the middle of the action. I had a small part. I was a clergyman
offering a prayer over the event.
I arrived at the Garde Theater and was ushered into a room filled with
dignitaries. Before long we were entering the theater to "Pomp and
Circumstances.” I tried to look like someone important, but like a child
who had to peek out from behind the curtain at a grammar school
production, I couldn’t help taking a quick sideways look at the crowded
room filled with expectant family members waiting to catch their first
glimpse of the graduating class of 2005.
As the procession came to its conclusion, I found myself coming to rest
on the platform at the front of the hall. It suddenly dawned on me that I
was going to have a front row seat. I always wondered what it would be
like to be up front to witness the smiles and the joy of those who had ran
the race and finished the course. Sitting on the platform next to key note
speaker, the College President, the Chancellor of the Community College
System, and Faculty Speaker, I had an inkling of what Simon Peter must
have felt on the Mount of Transfiguration as he stood between Jesus,
Elijah and Moses. I was in awe.
The crowning moment came a bit later as the graduates began streaming
up to receive their diplomas. I was so close that for a moment I thought I
was going to be in every official picture taken of the day. I saw the pride
of accomplishment on their faces as they reached out to shake the hand of
the President and receive their diploma. I just had to thank God for
offering me that wonderful seat for such a special event.
As I thought about this afterwards, it struck me that the joy I had
experienced had nothing to do with me. It was all about the graduates.
They had done the hard work. They had made the sacrifices. They had
used their talents and gifts to achieve this moment of glory. I was simply
there to witness it and share in their joy because I said "yes" to the call
when it came. The truth is the same thing happens whenever we say "yes"
to God's call. God is the one who makes things happen. He offers us a
front row seat to witness the joy and transformation that takes place in
people’s lives when they accept his love and grace.
I used to think that to serve the Lord, you had to have some special gift or
talent. When I was growing up, I looked around and saw so many people
in the Church who were gifted. I would look in the mirror and think I had
nothing to offer. I identified with Moses, who responded to the voice of
God coming from the burning bush, saying, “Oh, Lord, I am not an
eloquent speaker. Send someone else.” But when you delve deeper into that
story you see that the most important ingredient in serving God is not the
gift in itself but a willingness to say “yes” to His call.
God wants you and I to have a front row seat to the things He is doing all
around us. So when you hear His voice calling, take it from me, accept His
invitation and then enjoy the things you see. You will be blessed and so will
those whose joyful moments you are fortunate enough to witness.
God Bless! See you in Church. Cal
May 25, 2005
Dear friends,
When I accepted the invitation to take part in last week's graduation
ceremony for Three Rivers Community College, I never expected to be
right in the middle of the action. I had a small part. I was a clergyman
offering a prayer over the event.
I arrived at the Garde Theater and was ushered into a room filled with
dignitaries. Before long we were entering the theater to "Pomp and
Circumstances.” I tried to look like someone important, but like a child
who had to peek out from behind the curtain at a grammar school
production, I couldn’t help taking a quick sideways look at the crowded
room filled with expectant family members waiting to catch their first
glimpse of the graduating class of 2005.
As the procession came to its conclusion, I found myself coming to rest
on the platform at the front of the hall. It suddenly dawned on me that I
was going to have a front row seat. I always wondered what it would be
like to be up front to witness the smiles and the joy of those who had ran
the race and finished the course. Sitting on the platform next to key note
speaker, the College President, the Chancellor of the Community College
System, and Faculty Speaker, I had an inkling of what Simon Peter must
have felt on the Mount of Transfiguration as he stood between Jesus,
Elijah and Moses. I was in awe.
The crowning moment came a bit later as the graduates began streaming
up to receive their diplomas. I was so close that for a moment I thought I
was going to be in every official picture taken of the day. I saw the pride
of accomplishment on their faces as they reached out to shake the hand of
the President and receive their diploma. I just had to thank God for
offering me that wonderful seat for such a special event.
As I thought about this afterwards, it struck me that the joy I had
experienced had nothing to do with me. It was all about the graduates.
They had done the hard work. They had made the sacrifices. They had
used their talents and gifts to achieve this moment of glory. I was simply
there to witness it and share in their joy because I said "yes" to the call
when it came. The truth is the same thing happens whenever we say "yes"
to God's call. God is the one who makes things happen. He offers us a
front row seat to witness the joy and transformation that takes place in
people’s lives when they accept his love and grace.
I used to think that to serve the Lord, you had to have some special gift or
talent. When I was growing up, I looked around and saw so many people
in the Church who were gifted. I would look in the mirror and think I had
nothing to offer. I identified with Moses, who responded to the voice of
God coming from the burning bush, saying, “Oh, Lord, I am not an
eloquent speaker. Send someone else.” But when you delve deeper into that
story you see that the most important ingredient in serving God is not the
gift in itself but a willingness to say “yes” to His call.
God wants you and I to have a front row seat to the things He is doing all
around us. So when you hear His voice calling, take it from me, accept His
invitation and then enjoy the things you see. You will be blessed and so will
those whose joyful moments you are fortunate enough to witness.
God Bless! See you in Church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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