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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"Give God The Day"
July 8, 2009
Walking through Times Square in New York City at 6:30 a.m. is a surreal
experience. The streets are virtually empty. You look up and see the
billboards awash with images but there are no crowds to enjoy them. There
is no need to wait for a walk signal. There are no cars on the streets. Most
of the stores are closed and metal gates cover the entrances. Even those
who collect money for the homeless have found a refuge away from the
bright lights of Broadway on this quiet morning.
Just eight hours earlier you could hardly walk through the same area.
People were eight thick on the sidewalks and cars were bumper to bumper
with horns honking. Everything was a blur of activity. That's the New York
we all think of. It is the "city that never sleeps."
There is another side to New York City and last Friday morning I saw it.
Strangely, it was just as exciting. I saw a merchant out on the side walk in
front of his store sweeping up in anticipation of the crowds. Taxis were
lined up outside the hotels. They were waiting for a steady of stream of
fares that would soon be taking to the streets. I saw a couple of joggers
who were running down the street trying to get in their exercise before the
day took root. These people were not taken in by the quiet demeanor of the
streets. They knew what was going to happen in a few short hours.
That's life. We live in a world that is waiting for us to wake up and take
hold of it. As I took my morning walk I was reminded that we have a fresh
opportunity with each day that God gives us. That's why David declares,
"This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" He sees
that we have a choice. We can enjoy the day or waste it.
As I passed the Nederlander Theater, former home of the musical Rent, I
thought about the famous song from that show. The cast sings, "525,600
minutes, 525,000 moments so dear. 525,600 minutes - how do you
measure, measure a year?" The days are measured by what we do with
them.
Each day provides an opportunity to live and love, to make a difference in
the lives of family and friends. It gives us a chance to build up our
community. We can use the day to bring joy and happiness into a hurting
world. We can use it to share God's love. But you need to decide to do it
now. Give God the day before life gets busy. If you wait too long you could
get caught up in the rush of traffic and be carried along in another direction.
I know for it happened to me that day. But that's a story for another day.
This is the day. Rejoice. Give it to God and then expect God to use you to
bring a blessing to you and to someone you meet!
God bless. See you in church. Cal
July 8, 2009
Walking through Times Square in New York City at 6:30 a.m. is a surreal
experience. The streets are virtually empty. You look up and see the
billboards awash with images but there are no crowds to enjoy them. There
is no need to wait for a walk signal. There are no cars on the streets. Most
of the stores are closed and metal gates cover the entrances. Even those
who collect money for the homeless have found a refuge away from the
bright lights of Broadway on this quiet morning.
Just eight hours earlier you could hardly walk through the same area.
People were eight thick on the sidewalks and cars were bumper to bumper
with horns honking. Everything was a blur of activity. That's the New York
we all think of. It is the "city that never sleeps."
There is another side to New York City and last Friday morning I saw it.
Strangely, it was just as exciting. I saw a merchant out on the side walk in
front of his store sweeping up in anticipation of the crowds. Taxis were
lined up outside the hotels. They were waiting for a steady of stream of
fares that would soon be taking to the streets. I saw a couple of joggers
who were running down the street trying to get in their exercise before the
day took root. These people were not taken in by the quiet demeanor of the
streets. They knew what was going to happen in a few short hours.
That's life. We live in a world that is waiting for us to wake up and take
hold of it. As I took my morning walk I was reminded that we have a fresh
opportunity with each day that God gives us. That's why David declares,
"This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" He sees
that we have a choice. We can enjoy the day or waste it.
As I passed the Nederlander Theater, former home of the musical Rent, I
thought about the famous song from that show. The cast sings, "525,600
minutes, 525,000 moments so dear. 525,600 minutes - how do you
measure, measure a year?" The days are measured by what we do with
them.
Each day provides an opportunity to live and love, to make a difference in
the lives of family and friends. It gives us a chance to build up our
community. We can use the day to bring joy and happiness into a hurting
world. We can use it to share God's love. But you need to decide to do it
now. Give God the day before life gets busy. If you wait too long you could
get caught up in the rush of traffic and be carried along in another direction.
I know for it happened to me that day. But that's a story for another day.
This is the day. Rejoice. Give it to God and then expect God to use you to
bring a blessing to you and to someone you meet!
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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