The major problem in running two different blog sites and simultaneously continuing my personal essay writing is the danger of forgetting on which site I published what, and which of my writing I did not publish at all. I have neither the patience nor inclination to cross-check my work, so I have chosen to come to terms with the dangers of omission or duplication by living with them. I based this decision partially on a certain memory that has stuck with me from childhood—strange what we remember.
Each summer growing up, our family would take a month-long vacation at a camp in the backwoods of Maine. My father was a pastor and he used this time for refreshing and refueling. During the year, my father would type out his sermons on his trusty Smith-Corona typewriter--one sermon per week, preached, and then filed. Although he preferred not to preach the same sermon twice, his messages were ultimately recycled when, after leaving the pastorate, he made them available to a fellow minster to use. One summer, we met another pastor’s family who were vacationing at the camp. In a conversation one day, the pastor very non-chalantly shared that he had no problem whatsoever preaching the same sermon twice. He explained, “I figure if my message is good enough to preach once, it’s good enough to preach twice.” To me, that made perfect sense and I never forgot it. Even now, I can’t help but think how much of my father’s time and energy could have been redirected to other pursuits, had he not been so reluctant to adopt this philosophy.
That pastor’s attitude still makes a great deal of sense to me today. A truth or message which resonates is worth repeating—to ourselves and others. How often have we heard the same message with different ears or received it with a changed heart, seeing and understanding in a way we have not done so before. That is the beauty and power of truth, especially that found in God’s word; it doesn’t change--we do.
There are many things on my heart as I begin this new year—themes and stirrings that I will, in all likelihood, reflect on more than once. I hope my readers will bear with me. Truthfully, I above all others, am in constant need of repeated encouragement to keep my eyes fixed on the Lord and the truth of His word, to cultivate a steadfastness of spirit, a meditative frame of mind, and a purity of heart. It is very easy for me to lose a God-perspective on life in the midst of a bombardment by so much that is contrary. Yet, stronger than my propensity to get disoriented, is God’s ability to direct my steps and re-moor my dependence on Him.
I stumbled into this new year under a load of difficulties I would have rather left behind in the year 2011. But God is faithful; He reached down, took me by the hand, and led me into the new year with an expectancy— not that the hardships would vanish, or that my struggles would end—but that His plans for me would be revealed and His purposes would prevail, no matter what. That is His promise and my confidence, as it was for Job, “Lord, I know that You can do everything and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42: 2) Yes and Amen.
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