I'm just standing in the curve...

JANUARY 2018 – Wow!  2017 is now history.  Don't look back.  Look ahead.  I'm letting go of yesterday in order to fully grasp and enjoy today.  I will live one day at a time.  What is it that they say; "Yesterday is history.  Tomorrow is a mystery.  And today, well, its a gift.  That's why today is called the present.

Not too many years ago I was sleeping soundly after midnight and awoke to the terrible sound of a car crash.  Just around the corner from where we lived there was a sharp curve in front of a large oak tree.  Four teenagers were in the car driving too fast, distracted, and careless.  They missed the curve and hit the tree head-on.  I jumped out of bed, clothed myself, and ran just up the street to see what one never wants to see, a sight that remains etched in my memory.  One teen survived.  Three did not. 

A police officer was first to arrive.  I was second.  After quickly introducing myself as the minister just up the street, the office gave me a job to do.  “Preacher,” he said; “Take this flashlight, stand in the street in the curve, and stop anyone from coming into the scene of the accident.”  I did.  And in a way I am still fulfilling this officer’s directive today. 

In James 5:19-20 we read, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and cover a multitude of sins.”  Oh, how I wish I could have been in the curve earlier that night, with a flashlight, waving my arms, yelling “Slow down” or “Pay attention” or “Please put your cellphone away” or anything that would have made a difference in the outcome. 

As Christians we are called to look out for each other and for all who may be headed in the wrong direction.  The Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 9:19, “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more.”  He stood in the curve of life with the flashlight of the word of God to direct anyone from the way of sin and death into the way of salvation and life.  There are a few of us standing in the curve and we need your help.