Greetings Fellow ROA Members,
I have just celebrated two events in my life. One was my birthday and the other was my 50th anniversary in ministry. I am just amazed at how quickly time has vanished. That is one commodity God has for us that we cannot add to nor take away-only use it wisely. Time is beyond our capacity to change-only spend carefully. Reflecting my race-track journey, I was reminded of three companions in ministry which I have always had readily available to me.
Those three special ministry instruments are my Bible, my prayer book, and my hymn book. I readily admit that I cannot sing but I can admire and allow the lyrics and music of gifted persons to inspire and lift me beyond my level or standing. In 1963 traveling to my first assignment in the United States Air Force, I placed my favorite Bible in the passenger seat of my car. I was headed to Interceptor Weapons Controller School at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Mississippi. That was the beginning of something I would be doing the remainder of my life and duty.
Now, there is something about military people and objects of spiritual reminders. I do not feel military persons are superstitious when it comes to these symbols. Military persons are trained to face death as well as life, and to appreciate both. Through these fifty plus years, I cannot tell how many Crosses, Stars of David, Rosaries, various symbols reminders of God and spiritual faith, and bibles have passed through my hands. My Bible in that front seat (and later in my suitcase or briefcase when I flew), became a reminder about God in ways too numerous to mention here. I can say also that when I looked at it or picked it up, I knew what section I was the previous time I opened it. My Bible reveals a path showing me I must live for the long run. “To do so I must abstain from the harmful in order to enjoy the good. Sacrifice good in order to have better; restrain impulse in order to achieve control” (Bertha Monro).
I filled it with notes, color markings, certain symbols which carried personal meaning. Just as my Bible contains certain promises and words of comfort, the hymn book had within the covers hymns and creeds that have become familiar to me. Often, I would find myself singing to myself and talking to God about the words of a particular hymn. In my barracks or motel room I would open it for someone else had expressed their feelings about God far better than I could then. After these fifty years, when I now read or listen to a hymn, it is very special to me for there is a personal story I can relate to when that hymn was so important, comforting and uplifting.
My hymn book reminds me I can keep a song in my heart whatever my circumstances. Fast forward to the year of entering the Chaplaincy and civilian ministry, at my Ordination, I was presented a very special gift. It was the 1928 edition of the Book of Common Prayer. It also became my traveling companion making my total “special partners” to my spiritual growth to three. My journey has been directly affected in such positive ways far more than I could have dreamed. It is not because of something magical but rather Godly and spiritual bound in these three very special “companions.”
I would not proclaim them as equals but I would consider them three containers of Treasures of Truth. From my perspective, my journey was blessed from mining for nuggets within these three tools. I gained a better understand God and His love and guidance for me on a daily basis. They became far more than reminders of Him but became containers of divine inspiration and expressions from others on the same journey, further teaching me the promises and companionship of God buried in the Holy Bible.
After these many years of service to God and Country, I can recall time and time again when I went to all three for aid and comfort helping me share with others (as well as my personal life) how the three relate to every problem, opportunity, loss and gain a person experiences in a lifetime. Music and prayer are two components of every major religion I can think of impacting behavior and Godly reverence. Using these tools to read, study, memorize, share with others weep over, and rejoice in spiritual and emotional expression, I have not only learned the way of spiritual victory but knowing when to speak and when to remain silent, how to deal with misunderstandings, intercede for others and achieve life lessons.
“There is in man a higher than love of happiness; he can do without happiness, and instead thereof find blessedness!” (Carlyle).
“He has set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” (Ecclesiastes 13:11, NIV).