The day is fast approaching when I will be back in the land of the philosophers. It will be good to share face to face! So that the most important does not get swamped by travel prep, however, I thought I would shoot off a few musings about my gratitude to the Divinity.
"Musing" by Jeff Moriber www.jeffmoriber.com
The other day I was once again flying and read a book review (Boh, you will not believe this) about a book on gratitude. They will certainly not translate that one in the language of the philosophers!
Yet, I am increasingly realizing that one of the most important things one can do in this existence, just as our parents taught us when we were little, is to say, “thank you!” So I would like to take the time to thank God—Father, Son and Spirit—for…
PROTECTION
Over the past five months my journeys have caused me to cover about 32000 kilometers (here they use miles = 20,000) journeying to and through the land of ecclesiastic plenty. I am a militant travel mode pluralist having taken buses, trains, 14 different planes, and driven 8 different types of cars.
All without accident or incident.
In the book of the Diety’s self-revelation, a lyrist who loved greatly the Divine One recorded a composition, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways… ‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.’” (Psalm 91:11)
Ah, but you may query, “What about the man you told me about on the phone just yesterday, the one you saw being pulled from a nasty car wreck by five emergency crew workers?!” Well, that could be me in the future, but I know that he has protected me in the past and say, “Merci beaucoup” to the God most high in the present.
PROVISION
Over the past five months, like many government and university workers do, I have been seeking funding for my work. Along the way, I met people who are unemployed, others who have taken pay cuts, while others have escaped the economic crisis unscathed, and yet others who have actually prospered through it!
Being underfunded, I have experienced a sweep of emotions. At times I wondered, “Will I be out of a job due to lack of funding?” I brushed against the angst of the unemployed, yet knew that God would provide; I just did not know how, what or when. I wondered if I would need to take a pay cut like my good friend, a salesman in Ohio. I realized that the Lord “gives and takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
At times I felt financially poor and began to count pennies (Boh, those are akin to our centimes). At other times I enjoyed the prosperity of fine dining and private swimming pools thanks to well-to-do friends.
But you know Boh, sometimes my pride felt assaulted by the generosity of these friends, even though they gave without proviso and with complete joy. You know how it is in our land (of the philosophers), when someone does something nice for you, they hold it over you or expect pay back. But I believe the Great Professor is teaching me a hard lesson, to be content in lack (or in my case what is comparative lack) and in abundance supplied by the generous.
“In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.” (Psalm 37:19)
“The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (Psalm 34:10)
Thank you oh Great Provider! My attitudes have been refined by ordeal, and in spite of my heart’s dross, You have provided full funding and abundance to be enjoyed.
PEOPLE
I have saved the best for last. For the Father has given me traveling companions. My favorite companion, my wife, and I have interacted with countless people over the past five months. I remember…
- interacting with a school of teens passionate about studying Scripture (and wrestling with the book of Job)
- now being supported by a young church that was once only a dream. (My wife and I were part of a small group of enthusiastic people who discussed and prayed for that daughter church to be born.)
- six o’clock (oh Boh, things start Early here!) breakfast meetings with companion missioners to discuss a new church being started in the town of my birth.
- crying in despair on a friend’s shoulder.
- laughing around a summer campfire as we recited Monty Python quotes in turn.
- sitting in a hot tub with friends looking at the stars on a crisp cold evening.
- watching Penn State football games with fellow alumni (Boh, this is a land of paradox—they play “football” with their hands!)
- enjoying the blues with old friends played by old high school friends (Ah yes Boh, we are all aging n’est-ce pas?).
- being impressed by a tremendously busy friend who would drop what he was doing to take us to the airport… numerous times.
- praying with people to the One True God in the name of Christ Jesus through whom we have our fellowship-friendship-companionship.
You know Boh, there is much to be learned from the people of this land. In 1863 their great president, Abraham Lincoln, designated a day to give thanks to the Giver of all good gifts, the Creator, God Almighty. And so I wanted to slow down in order to say “Thank You” to him too.
I can’t wait to see you face to face,
Your friend
* Mr. Boh is a composite French friend who has recently become a Christian. While thoroughly fascinated with the person of Christ, he is completely unfamiliar with the evangelical subculture much of which seems very alien to him.
