Day By Day

I am grateful for the opportunity to address you each week in our local paper.  I never really know exactly how many people are reading, but I am encouraged occasionally as someone tells me they have enjoyed a column.

            I enjoy writing.  Of course, I’m not sure I would have said that in my college or graduate school days. It seemed as if a paper was due every other week, and in fact that was often the case. And even now, writing for a deadline can be a challenge. Sometimes I forget, and I get a friendly email reminder from the publisher, “Columns?”  Quite succinct and to the point.  And sometimes I sit at my desk and ponder, seeking inspiration from above.

            But most of the time I just write about life.  It’s funny how every day occurrences have so much to teach us about God and faith.  But that’s just it.  It’s not the great things that we do that change the world. It’s everyday life. 

            There is an Old Testament story about a man who was quite sick.  He learned of a prophet who could heal, and traveled to him. The prophet did not bother to come and see the sick man. He simply sent word, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River and you will be well.”

            This offended the man Naaman.  In the first place, he was a man of position, and for the prophet not to come to him was upsetting. And then the Jordan River was not the nicest or cleanest of rivers.  “How dare he!” was all he could think.

            But some of his servants spoke with Naaman. “What if the prophet had told you to do some great thing? Would you have done it? Why don’t you try his way?” And that’s what Naaman did. He went to the Jordan, followed the instructions, and he was healed.

            I am afraid that many people are waiting for their “big opportunity.” What great thing will God have me to do?  And sometimes the Lord simply calls us to walk with Him day by day in the everyday affairs of life.  What about you? What is God calling you to do? The best way to find out is simply to take the next step of faith, whatever that may be.