THE RAPID PASSING OF TIME

From My Perspective - - -

Almost sixty years ago, five young men believed it was their God-given mission to enter an area where missionaries had not yet gone. It was called Operation Auca. These men left their families in a safe location and flew into eastern Ecuador to reach the Huaorani tribe. They had circled the area for several days lowering different items to the tribes-people below and had reason to believe they could land and begin to make a meaningful contact with them. That did not happen. Some of the tribesmen were more hostile to the strangers resulting in all five men being killed. Before these men left for Waodaoni territory in September 1955, they joined with their families and sang a Hymn that had been published in 1895. They knew the dangers and risks attached to their journey and effort. They also knew the will and purpose of God for them at that moment of time. The words they sang are compelling and should be embraced as both a personal commitment and a source of comfort during any time of challenge, uncertainty, risk or danger.

We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!

We go not forth alone against the foe;

Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender, 

We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.

We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling, 

And needing more each day Thy grace to know: 

Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,

“We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.”

We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!

Thine is the battle, Thine shall be the praise;

When passing through the gates of pearly splendor,

Victors, we rest with Thee, through endless days.

With the rapid passing of time, one cannot help but think of health and aging – death and dying. In some cultures, there is a great respect shown toward the older members of the respective societies. In other cultures, the older adults are sometimes treated as though they are in the way of the younger people. There are all too many older adults who are lonely and isolated. Some are in Nursing Homes and others in a private residence. As we approach another Valentine’s Day, greeting cards will be exchanged; candy and flowers given; stuff animals are sent – all intended to be an expression of “love” in a secular sense. Love is more than a seasonal action marked by the commercial tokens sent or given. Love is an action that is to occur as a constant in one’s life. 

A few things we would do well to remember and implement are: (1) I Corinthians 13:1-8(a). A summary is: “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” Vs. 3-4 in The Message states: “I'm bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut.” (2) Proverbs 4:20-23. A summary is: “be attentive to my words...Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart…Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs (the issues) of life.” In The New Living Translation: “Pay attention…to what I say. Listen carefully. Don't lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart…Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.”  (3) I hope at the end of the day each of us will be able to echo the words of Psalm 37:23-26, “The steps of a (good) man are established by the Lord, when he delights in His way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.” Great is the faithfulness of The Lord. Consider these things with me.