An Imaginary Conversation with My Father

Psalm 103:13 (NET) - As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on his faithful followers.

Sunday is Father’s Day.

I wondered what it might be like if I could but sit down with my father once more and seek his wisdom.

My father was born almost a hundred years ago.

He died several decades ago while he was still a relatively young man.

I thought about how much things have changed since he was born.

I also thought about how much things have changed since he died.

Although some of the changes were beneficial a great may were not.

I tried to imagine what advice he might give me concerning today’s problems.

I began by remembering him the way he was the last time I saw him.

I have now reached the age my father was when he died

So, that is how I pictured us; two men of identical age but from different eras.

I imagined us seated side by side as I told him of the problems of today.

I imagined him listening to every word before he would impart his fatherly wisdom.

I told him about corruption in government.

I told him about the amount of dishonesty in business.

I told him about the persecution that still goes on in the world.

I told him about the hatred some clung to rather than embracing love.

I told him about how some chose to hold onto old grudges rather than forgive.

I told him how some people preferred to live in in ignorance and confusion rather than seeking the truth.

I told him how that same truth was often repressed once it was discovered.

I told him about greed and injustice.

I told him all these things and more.

Then, I imagined myself waiting expectantly for some pearl of wisdom that would help me cope with today’s reality.

I also imagined that my father had no immediate reply.

I then added, “One more thing, Dad. The world seems to have less faith in God with every passing day.”

At that I pictured my father smiling.

I imagined him speaking to me as he did my in childhood.

I envisioned him placing his hand on my shoulder as he said, “Son, that is exactly why the world has these problems.”

Proverbs 22:6 (NET) - Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com

Choices Matter

Most of the driving I do is on the highway,

There are several spots along my commute where traffic becomes rather intense.

I can normally count on at least a few drivers taking some unnecessary and even dangerous risks.

There is one thing I have learned about these drivers from experience.

Drivers in certain makes of cars appear more likely to take unnecessary chances.

Certainly one might expect this from drivers of high performance sports cars.

Their vehicles have more horsepower and greater acceleration.

Yet these drivers are not the only ones that are willing to take more risks.

I have also learned that some drivers of cars with high safety ratings also fall into this category.

Perhaps over time their sense of sense of security begins to make them feel invulnerable and thus willing to take more risks.

People can also live their lives in similar ways.

Many unbelievers think this world is the only reality they will ever face.

Similar to the drivers of some sports cars, they rush through this world at a blistering pace.

They disregard the fact that the choices they make in this world will have consequences in the next.

They are by no means the only risk takers.

Some who consider themselves believers begin to live life as dangerously, perhaps even more so.

Just like some drivers of safer cars, they live life as if consequences no longer apply to them.

In their way of thinking, since Jesus died for their sins they can live any way they wish.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The choices we make in this world will have consequences in the next.

In Matthew 25:32 – 40, Jesus explains this when he compares judgment to a shepherd who separates sheep from goats.

The goats which are placed on the left represent those who are not saved.

The sheep which are placed on the right represent those who are.

In this world some will choose to be among the goats.

We are obligated to try to reach them, but ultimately the choice is theirs.

There will also be those who go through this world incorrectly assuming they are among the sheep.

Only in the end, when it is too late, will they discover just how much the choices they made in this world really mattered.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com