A few weeks back I purchased 2 tickets for the Paul McCartney concert coming to Dallas. It was scheduled for Monday, June 16 - which happened to be 18 days after my 64th birthday (thank you very much, Paul). Of course I paid more than I wanted to, but thought, ..."Oh well, I may never get to see him again, and this will be an opportunity to share a memory with my son, Trey." But then this happened - just days before McCartney was scheduled to perform I received an email from our ticket vendor saying, ... "We regret to inform you that Paul McCartney, the event you purchased tickets for in Order #_______, has been postponed." Oh my! I thought. Paul McCartney is sick. He's has a virus!!! Mmmmm? I guess this can happen when you're, let's see... 72. Arrrggghhh!
Of course, today, I saw this post with some good news - Ringo Starr (2 hours ago, via Rolling Stone magazine) reports, "Paul is getting fit and is ready to rock." And Ringo should know, I would think, as he is about to turn 74 this July 7. Which is precisely why I am holding onto my tickets for the new, rescheduled, date - Monday, October 13, and will be there 'with bells on,' as 'they' say.
Yet, alas, I am a preacher - one who knows better, or at least should. For though I am naturally hopeful regarding any tomorrow, I also know this is not where my ultimate hope rests. According to God's Word my hope is anchored in Christ - in what He has done for me on the cross by reconciling me, a sinner, to God. As the old song sings, my anchor holds and grips the solid Rock, Jesus. Even more, this same Jesus who died for my sins teaches this concerning the life we are now to live ... 'take no thought (do not be anxious) of (or, for) tomorrow, for tomorrow has enough trouble of it's own.' (Matt. 6:34) So that the last time I checked my calendar, October 13, 2014 remains a 'tomorrow' date, and certainly not something I'm to place my hope in or upon.
I recently read an article by a person who works in 'palliative' care - caring for people who are sent home to die. The article lists five most common regrets by those facing life's end. http://www.trueactivist.com/nurse-reveals-the-top-5-regrets-people-make-on-their-deathbed/ The thing that struck me was that much of the things listed seemed to deal with some manner of each person feeling they'd 'missed out' on the 'nowness' of their opportunities and relationships - not spending more time with friends, family or, even, their own thoughts.
In today's culture of tight schedules, plans and anxious anticipation it's easy to miss the now. The more moments we spend anticipating, the more moments we miss. For example, Trey and I did not make the anticipated McCartney concert but we did something else on that June day - we sat together for a moment and shared McCartney tunes with one another on our own guitars. It was a good day. One we enjoyed very much. One of the tunes we shared is credited to Lennon-McCartney, with telling lyrics, which sing this:
"He's a real Nowhere Man
Sitting in his Nowhere Land
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody"
So I don't know about you, but I think I'll go out and live today as best I possibly can, by the grace and under the blessing of Almighty God. For I am certainly not a Nowhere Man. I am a Somewhere Man. Living here today by God's good grace and providence, and headed home to Him in some tomorrow yet to come - whenever that may be. For, after all, today I am both His and...
Yours for Sixty Four!
Pastor Sam
http://www.trueactivist.com/nurse-reveals-the-top-5-regrets-people-make-on-their-deathbed/
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