Climbing the mountain of life
Over the past week, I watched a documentary about a newer sport heading into its third decade of competition. The documentary closed by discussing the interesting passing of the torch that seems to be happening from the original competitors to a new group of younger athletes who have grown up watching and learning from the sport’s trailblazers. The closing monologue included the following:
What trailblazers do is draw better maps. And when they are done, they come down from the mountain knowing the next generation of climbers have already begun their treks. They come down knowing that those who are closer to the base than the peak get to carry in their packs the priceless maps that have been drawn for them with blood and sweat and tears and dark nights and cold mornings and doubt and screams and the deepest of breaths.
The monologue got me thinking about our life together in Christ. I think of heading to the altar for the Eucharist and looking around the table. It is a glorious sight, seeing those closer to the base camp gathered with those closer to the nearer presence of Jesus than we can imagine. I think of a dear saint in his third battle with cancer who walks three blocks to the church daily for his morning prayers and the Sacrament. Or the widow who has been without her husband for 30 years, longing for the day to see her Savior face-to-face. These ‘trailblazers,’ as they were, bring with them in their packs the priceless Map of a lifetime of receiving God’s Word. This Map, drawn with Christ's blood and sweat, carried them through the tears and dark nights and cold mornings and doubt and screams and the deepest breaths. And it carried them through their joys as well.
Then I see the tired parents with their young crew in tow, eagerly longing to respond “Amen” when our pastor says “The body of Christ.” These blessed saints still have a lifetime of tears and dark nights and cold mornings and doubt and screams and the deepest of breaths ahead of them. Yet still, gathered around our Lord’s table, they see the paragons of the faith kneeling right beside them. In their slow walking and labored kneeling, they seem to say, “keep going, keep climbing, take this Map with you. It will illumine your way.”
And what a glorious illumination it is. It is a true light (John 1:9), a light to our paths (Psalm 119:105), and on the last day, it will be our light as we go on forever and ever (Revelation 22:5). So whether you are almost to the peak, or just at the basecamp, keep going, keep climbing, take Jesus with you. He will illumine your way.
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From President Buss:
Just this morning I received an email asking for examples of how children’s ministry looks these days, especially in small congregations. Some of our congregations have few children or even no active younger families with children. Rather than giving up, this congregational leader reached out because we are stronger together! The request was simple – connect us! That is in part what we do!!
Being present and getting to know you and your congregation has been my goal over the last four years. This is also on the minds and in the schedules of those who serve on the NID staff. As I look forward to the next three years, this remains a value of ours for the sake of Advancing His Kingdom.
Read more here: https://nidnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Presidents-Address-for-Website.pdf
LCEF is a nonprofit religious organization; therefore, LCEF investments are not FDIC-insured bank deposit accounts. This is not an offer to sell investments, nor a solicitation to buy. LCEF will offer and sell its securities only in states where authorized. The offer is made solely by LCEF’s Offering Circular. Investors should carefully read the Offering Circular, which more fully describes associated risks. StewardAccount products are not available to investors in South Carolina. StewardAccount access features are offered through UMB Bank n.a.