Divergent

Divergent. Not the young adult book series and movie but the story of two men. In a weekend, one of them had a party and the other one was featured on a TV crime show. There were similarities.  Both men marched to the beat of a different drum, were unconventional, even awkward.  But the outcomes of their lives couldn’t have been more divergent.

The one man chose a path of helping others, meeting needs, counseling, listening, visiting, praying, often ministering where there was illness or death. And when hundreds from his congregation gathered to celebrate his work and retirement, men and women shared through tears stories of this man’s friendship and caring. His unique and naïve ways were transformed to bless others.

The other man was called a “gentle giant” and a “loner”.   He worked too but working inside of him was a dark, bitter and violent response to his world.  Over his young adult years, he brutally attacked two victims who survived and he took the lives of at least two young college women.  His crimes were eventually found out and he is spending his life in prison.

Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  (John 10:10) The pastor enjoyed a full life because he surrendered his limitations (and we all have them) to God.  The other man’s life was stolen by evil as he succumbed to the worst of his nature.  We all have to make the choice:  the full life through Jesus or destruction.

Yard Sale: A Long View

There is a truism for garage sales. It’s the jackpot theory.  You browse many yards, finding nothing.  Then you hit a jackpot sale with everything you were looking for in perfect condition and at great prices!

I occasionally went to yard sales when my kids were young. Toys and other children’s deals were plentiful.  One weekend I went to a sale in an older neighborhood that was being razed for new development.  Sure enough, I experienced the jackpot phenomenon.  After many dud sales, I hit upon a bonanza!  I found a treasure of craft supplies, gardening tools, and items for entertaining, all at one house.  A thought struck me as I purchased what the seller was unloading:  she was ending a time of creating and sowing in homemaking that I was presently immersed in.  She might be looking back but I was looking ahead.  I wondered if she was satisfied or regretful.  I saw a future that I could seize or squander.

The Bible talks about choosing endeavors of significance. “Anyone who builds on that foundation (Jesus) may use a variety of materials – gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay or stone.  But on the judgment day, fire will review what kind of work each builder has done.  The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.”  (1 Corinthians 3: 12-13) That Saturday was many years ago.  I still use the party-sized coffee maker I bought that day and I’m still aiming to do work that is fire retardant.  I pray that this blog has value for eternity.