"I'm Moving On"

That was the title of a hit country song a couple of years ago; and indeed, it expresses my thoughts this morning. Lydia and I are moving on. We're tired, but excited, apprehensive and yet holding on to our faith, a bit battered and bruised from our recent experiences, yet eager for the opportunity to continue to do what God has called us to do. Life seldom turns out as people believe that it will. Certainly, my life has developed in very different ways from what I would have imagined when I was a senior in high school, or a junior at Davidson College, or even as a young seminarian or minister. Yet, we put our faith in a sovereign God, and continue to try to seek, know, and obey His will. As my friend Sid Leak says, quoting a seminary professor he had years ago, "It's not like God is going to run off and leave you!" Well, praise God for that! Sometimes, that's just about the only comfort we have. I'm filled with all kinds of emotions as I come to the end of my time in Alabama. One thing we know for sure is that the only constant reality in the worldly, temporal realm is change. Just when we think we understand the pattern of our lives, things are likely to change. People change. Circumstances can change in a heartbeat. Attitudes change. Relationships change. An uncle of mine died on Saturday morning, pointing out once again the fragile nature of life and the lasting effects of sin on fallen humanity. We still struggle with grief, following the death of my mother in December. Often, our inner resources seem to have reached the breaking point. Still, I'm moving on. It's tempting to retreat, to escape into the past, to be dependent on situations that seem more comfortable, more certain. But just what would those situations be? Where would we find the peace of mind and security we crave? Where can we really find home base? We can only find those things in a faith that is founded on thepermanent, the eternal, the perfect. I do not understand the ways of God; but I am willing, though imperfectly, to trust Him. What is the alternative? As Peter said to Jesus in the gospel of John, "To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." And at this time in my Christian pilgrimage, He is leading me, guiding me, calling me; and so, I'm moving on. The next time I speak to you, faithful readers, I will probably be somewhere in Texas! But it's more than the eyes of Texas that are upon you!