What is next? We have been through a lot. Alan Jackson’s song, “Where Were You?”, written after the attack on the World Trade Center towers in 2001, comes to mind. The song asks, “Where were you when the world stopped turnin’ on that September day?” And it ends with, “I’m just a singer of simple songs, I’m not a real political man. I watch CNN, but I’m not sure I can tell you the diff’rence in Iraq and Iran. But I know Jesus and I talk to God, and I remember this from when I was young - faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us. And the greatest is love.”
In many respects, it seems the world stopped turnin’ a few months ago. And while stopped, other societal tensions have surfaced. There are a lot of unknowns, a lot that is hard to understand. But if you know Jesus and you talk to God, it is possible to maintain a healthy perspective. As you reflect faith in Jesus the Christ and stay focused on the hope that is eternal life, the love of Christ will flow through the family and glorify the Father. Society is starving for the love of the Father.
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. – 1Corinthians 13:12-13. Paul’s admonition was that it is impossible to understand what God may be up to in any particular set of circumstances. The responsibility Paul strapped the early church with was to have faith in Jesus the Christ, focus on the hope that is eternal life with the Lord and love in this life as Jesus loved through His time on this earth. Jesus said, “Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. … Love your neighbor as yourself.”- Matthew 22:37 & 39. As Jesus walked in the tension that is Truth with love, He glorified His Father. He reinforced absolute Authority with grace.
For the ninth consecutive year, my daughter and I have had the opportunity to partner with Voice of Wilderness and lead other fathers and daughters through a week of fun, day-hikes, vista views and evening discussion time in Southern Colorado. There was no media access so the only noise was what creation had to offer at 9500’-plus elevation. It was just fathers and daughters connecting to a new level of relationship through time dedicated to each other in the wilderness. Then we had to come down from the mountains to face what’s next. The question is - How do we hang on to and reflect the peace enjoyed across the week? The answer - Walk in faith, focus on hope eternal, love as Christ loves and glorify the Father in all things.
Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your word and Your love. I confess that too often I strive to glorify my ideas, my agenda and myself. Forgive me. Help me submit to You, spend time with You, worship You and obey You. I will strive to reflect Your love in all circumstances and glorify You in all I am and all I do. By Your grace, I will walk in faith, focus on hope eternal, love as Christ loves and glorify the Father. That is the dad You call me to be and the dad the next generation needs. Amen.
A faithful father walks in faith, focuses on hope eternal, loves as Christ loves and glorifies the Father.
What is next? We have been through a lot. Alan Jackson’s song, “Where Were You?”, written after the attack on the World Trade Center towers in 2001, comes to mind. The song asks, “Where were you when the world stopped turnin’ on that September day?” And it ends with, “I’m just a singer of simple songs, I’m not a real political man. I watch CNN, but I’m not sure I can tell you the diff’rence in Iraq and Iran. But I know Jesus and I talk to God, and I remember this from when I was young - faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us. And the greatest is love.”
