Mon, Jun 30th - 12:26AM

After Church

Sitting on the bank of the Arkansas river in the shade of some large cottonwood trees and reflecting on a Sunday afternoon.  The current is strong, as I face it, overflowing its willow-covered shoals on the other side. 

“How far have I come, Lord in my journey through this vale of life?  How much farther must I travel ‘til the end is in sight?”

A raft cruises by, steered by a guide and occupied by a family with two small girls who wave and say, “hi!”  As I doze for a brief moment, leaning against a tree, an elderly man comes and sits on a bench in the same grove of trees.  He becomes engrossed in a yellow-covered  book.  Later, as he introduces himself to me I learn from the rear cover of this book that it conveys a “New Age” self-realization message.  Gary is the man’s name.  His wife Jolene soon appears, having walked a little farther down the Canon City River Walk.

Gary learns from me through inquiry that I am a Christian, although his primary interest is my church affiliation, rather than the state of my soul.  “I attend a Mennonite church,” was my answer to his question.  He quipped about the good food I must be privy to in my church.  My reply was that he should seek the bread that gives eternal life.  “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Gary and Jolene live in Kansas, but have a summer home here in Canon City, Colorado.  As they left me there in the shade of those trees Gary said that I might see him at one of our meals at the church.  I had told him about our monthly “carry-in” after church on the third Sunday of each month.  God has His ways of kindling a hunger and thirst for the righteousness of His Kingdom. 

          I’m alone again with the river and my Lord.  Across the stream are a house, a quonset building and a pasture with three horses in it.  It is a picture of forgotten places, though Canon City has long ceased to be forgotten.    One can, however travel back in his memory to one of the many times and obscure places in the country, somewhere where life was just life and people were just people. 

O God, Who sees the deepest motives of my frail, human heart, judge me!  Let me give account to You and not to man, who would destroy me.  Let Your word challenge my heart to scale new heights in pursuing the Kingdom!  Chasten me, that I might be safe in Thy love.  Defend me from my enemies in this life!

          Some men reflect sorrowfully from prison.  Few men reflect deeply from a place of great success in their lives.  I myself have had little of the success and much of the sorrow. 

Though it is yet the middle of the day, the sky suddenly grays and the temperature drops slightly.  I turn to my side and see the current rushing past, not waiting for anything or anyone.  The river has its way and the willows bend while the trees in the mud stand firm. 

          How have I bent to the currents of this life, of this present, evil world?  How have I capitulated to the pressures of my own needs and lusts?  Have mercy upon me, O Maker and Redeemer of my soul!  Let me live and not die in Your displeasure!

          The river doesn’t wait, but runs it’s course swiftly to the end.  So is the course of my life. 

          Gracious God, I wait for Thy Goodness all the day.  In thee is my hope of salvation!