Preaching when parched
PAGE 4 of 4
We are settled here for a while, and we are called on to make the most of our temporary home. We must ask ourselves what we are doing to make the settlement more livable and the promise of the future brighter. But Jesus said our treasure is not to be in the things of earth, but the things of heaven. "For where your treasure is, there is your heart also."
All of this is involved in the preacher's responsibility. At times I have no clear answers. Nobody has clear answers.
We are in an era that has so many knotty issues. Like the question of same-sex marriage. Being honest, I'm glad I do not have to deal with these issues. That's one of the blessings of old age. The preacher's responsibility in the midst of all this is also to keep a sense of humor and to proclaim what Jesus proclaimed.
You mentioned earlier that you're attending the funerals of the last of your contemporaries. What does your stage of life contribute to your spiritual journey?
I'm 93 now, and it means that I'm literally numbering my days. I'm approaching what in my childhood we would have called my "commencement day." My stage of life means I'm aware that we all are just strangers and pilgrims. We can make this place home sometimes. Our danger is the false notion that it is home.
Tell us what you mean by "home."
All in all, life's a great experience. But by faith we believe there's a better one. It's hard to imagine what it can be like. At the point I have reached, one ponders more and more what it's like. It does not yet appear. But this we know, the Bible says, that "we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."
Those are tremendous things to wrestle with. Not too much for the human mind to ponder, but too much for it to have. I cannot picture this. The best I can do is try and understand the crude symbolism that we're given. Our home will be far richer, far finer than anything we can think of. The maker of that home is God.
Those are words to live by in any season of life.
I agree.
Whatever season you're in, they are poignant.
Yes they are. Why? Because life is poignant.
Sermons by Dr. Gardner C. Taylor are available at PreachingToday.com
Copyright © 2011 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal.
Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.
PAGE 4 of 4
Related Training
from BuildingChurchLeaders.com
10 Keys to Sustaining the Ministry Life
Subscribe to read more
Subscribe Today!
- One risk-free issue
- Instant access to all Leadership Journal web content
- OFFER DETAILS
rating & comments
Average User Rating:
Mrs. Reid
Nothing but WISDOM! Love it! :-)
T. M. Olson
Thank you for interviewing this great man and publishing it here. I appreciate sitting "at the feet" of seasoned servants of God/siblings of Christ Jesus/children of our Heavenly Father. As we know from Bible stories, others' testimonies and personal experience, God often speaks in unexpected places - this article was used of God as an encouragement to me just when I needed it. Thank you, Lord.
John Oliver
His thoughtful reflection on his long ministry, faithful even when it seemed there was nothing in it for him. Challenge to all of us in the later parts of our ministry. Bless you in the days the Lord has for you.
(on articles open to the public, you must at least register for a free account).
