Issue 1,012 – A Walk in the Park – March 24, 2023
Yesterday, Kathy and I took our granddaughters to Aldergrove Regional Park to participate in an Enchanted Forest event. The local parks board went all out with booths and exhibits to entertain and educate children about the natural environment.
Staff dressed as gnomes, elves and other woodland beings, as were the numerous children who went through during the day. I don’t know the numbers, but if the time we spent there was any indication, several thousand people must have gone through. Plenty of interactive and hands-on activities kept the kids (and parents/grandparents) interested.
The children climbed on and around a number of things, howled like wolves and made forest colognes out of vegetation and earth. There were live owls and turtles to see, puzzles to solve, bird calls to listen for, and marshmallows to roast. Kudos to Vancouver Regional Parks for pulling off a great event.
As we walked, I could almost imagine seeing a gnome sitting under this fungus, enjoying the seemingly endless stream of visitors getting in touch with nature.
Like my imaginary gnome, sometimes I enjoy just sitting and watching people. They come in various sizes and shapes and have individual stories to tell. Some rush past in a hurry to go somewhere or so something. Others amble along as if they have no place to be and no cares in the world.
Still others go by looking like they are carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. They seem like Atlas holding up the earth is carrying a lighter load.
Families go by, young couples “in love” oblivious to everyone and everything float by, and lonely seniors shuffle past. Gaggles of giggling girls try to impress gangs of young guys. Watch long enough, and you will see all types of people in every imaginable circumstance.
Whatever their stage in life or business of the day, they all have one thing in common, a need for Christ. Even the most optimistic of estimates will tell you that the majority of people are lost. They are the true walking dead, headed for an eternity of torment unless the light of Christ breaks through to them.
Believers are called to reach out to them.
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
There can be hope if they hear the truth. The Apostle Paul tells us that,
“…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13
Paul goes on to write,
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:14-17
Christians are not saved because of our innate goodness; quite the contrary, in fact. We are like the survivors of a shipwreck housed safely in our life rafts. Our role is to pull as many others out of the water to safety as we can. Until Christ pulled us into the raft, we were in as much peril as the world around us.
Look around at the people you encounter today. Many of them need a hand; they need to know of the love of Jesus. Will you tell them?
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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