I missed an opportunity last night, and suppose I wish I had a do over. Here it is.
Last night was my 50th high school reunion. It was a blessing; I have never looked forward to a high school reunion, even though I have enjoyed them all. I think it may be the awareness of time marching on in all of us, and the lack of need to look back (it seems I am always looking back anyway) that makes me reluctant to dwell in that, and yet the blessing is in seeing people important in my growing up years carrying themselves well in their growing old years.
And 68 qualifies as latter years, no matter what my 86-year-old friends say!
We ambled, waddled, limped and strolled outside the venue for a group photo, and didn't know we were making so much noise visiting that the photographer was hindered in his task; our hearing is worse than 50 years ago, and our willingness to be distracted is the same.
We did not spend any time, really, talking about maladies, mostly about families, but I could see the effects of various health issues in many of us; I am sure I displayed that as well.
I was on the planning committee, but was not a planner for this -- just a pray-er and a presenter, and did not really think about those roles until it was time. Pray for the meal, share a little "quiz" about our senior year, and then -- and here I had not realized it was me to do it -- lead a memorial for those in our class who have died.
Nobody there last night was disappointed in what I said, except me, because I could see such a worship without borders opportunity but did not see it through I as could have.
My classmates know me as a writer and talker, as a presenter and a preacher. Because of the venue I did not give a full-blown Jesus message (He was honored at the prayer, and alluded to in what I said, and the not by any means ignored) but I now think I should have been more more direct.
I was in a worship without borders moment -- classmates who were Christian in churches across the Kingdom, and classmates who were distant and oblivious to the love of God, and classmates who were still bitter and hostile to God, even though they have had 50 more years to see the mercy side of God, indeed, to even see God.
What I didn't say was that we now see clearly the limits of this life by itself, and in reading the names of the 17 percent of classmates that have died -- the first one died when he was 14 -- it is our task to take care of business, eternal business.
I didn't need to make an altar call but to make a Savior call -- to simply say again what we all know: God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (I didn't need to write out the whole verse, I suppose, because you know it, but it still is good to see it!)
And the next verse in John is just as significant -- God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world though Him might be saved.
I could not attest to the faith of all of my deceased classmates, but I can attest to the Faith of my Father, through the Grace of His Son. And His mercy is all I lean on.
I wish I had said that. We honored the lives of the 42 names in the program; I just pray I had better proclaimed the one name that can save the 42, and the ears that were there last night to hear.
If I get my chance again at the 55th, I will seize it; if not, I will rejoice in Heaven.
Go to church today and look around, and the open world waiting to hear your message that reflects the Love of God through Jesus.
And please, dear brothers and sisters, honor this opportunity of hosting a couple young Chinese students, ages 12-14, as this worship without borders mission field comes to Godsfield -- July 7-18.
It will make a difference, perhaps an eternal difference, for them, and an eternal blessing for you. And it will be fun; step out in faith. Tell me you will host.
Love ya,
Paul