According to legend, the Apostle John lived out his final years in Ephesus. In his old age, he was unable to stand or walk on his own so his disciples would carry him into worship on a pallet. Each week, they take him to the front of the room at which point John - speaking barely above a whisper - would raise his hand and say, "Little children, love one another." This went on for some time with John always saying the same thing. When his disciples asked him why, he would respond, "It is the Lord's command. And if this alone be done, it is enough."
Last week, we gathered at the home of Bud and Carol Sparling. Bud served our church family as pastor for many years. Together, he and Carol have made a tremendous impact on the lives of so many people who call PEPC home. However, in recent years, Bud's health has begun a steady decline. He has a lung condition that robs him of physical energy so that even short walks are hard for him. Even as his body declines, his spirit continues to be renewed each day by his time with the Lord in Scripture and in prayer. We wanted to make sure our staff had one last opportunity to be with him and so we traveled to his apartment to share some conversation and pray together.
During our time, someone referenced the above story about the Apostle John and then asked Bud, "What's your pallet speech? What's that one thing you'd share with us?" Bud chuckled and thought for a moment. Then, in classic Bud fashion, he pointed his finger and declared, "Make it stick!" Make your faith stick. For Bud, "making faith stick" means spending time each day with God. Reading the Bible. Solitude. Silence. Prayer for himself and others. Attentively and intentionally walking with the Spirit through every moment of every day. Cultivating a constant sense of awareness of the Lord's abiding presence.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of knowing quite a few folks like Bud and Carol Sparling. Their deep faith is humbling to me. Their trust in Jesus both convicting and inspiring. And in every single case, they have at least this one thing in common. They spend time each day with God. It might be at the beginning of the day or the end. It might be 30 minutes to an hour or more. It involves reading and reflecting on Scripture. Some form of prayer. And it is most often conducted in silence and solitude away from the distractions of daily life. These men and women are incredibly busy but all of them have been relentless in setting aside time in their schedule for the Lord. Nothing gets in the way.
I meet a lot of people in my line of work. They come from all different places and walks of life. They are all over the map spiritually. And almost all of them have a hunger down deep for more of God. They want to experience God. They want to know God. They believe on some level that life is incomplete without a relationship with God. Because I am a pastor, they assume I am an expert and can help them along the way. I am more than happy to do so of course but often they are disappointed with the advice I give...just spend time with the Lord. Read His Word. Pray. Listen. Do this every day for the rest of your life and your relationship with God will be deep and rich and full. It just seems so mundane. So routine. So boring. Most I guess are hoping for something quick. Easy. More efficient. I don't have a lot to offer there.
What I do have to offer is this...the living examples of people like a Bud and Carol. People who have grown so close to God over the course of their lives that even in the face of their impending death can laugh and be at peace. There is a great line in one of my favorite hymns that goes like this, "No guilt in life. No fear in death. This is the power of Christ in me." If you want the power of Christ to be in you...you must spend time with Him each day. Only then will you truly find hope!