Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings, dear people.

Since Becki is off to a doctor’s visit, I can’t have her critique this little essay now that it’s finished. But she did approve the first paragraph and thought I should carry on. So here goes!

While the grandkids were here on Tuesday with the temperature so high, I took some time to jump in the creek with them. At one point I grabbed a dive mask, a pole spear, and 8 pounds of weight so I could just kind of lay on the bottom, and dropped into the deep pool (about 7 feet deep) at the lower end of our property. In short order, I nailed a sucker fish, about 18” long. Only Nicholas was there at the time. He was totally astounded—never dreamed big ugly fish like that were running around in there. I gutted the fish, cooked it, and transformed it into dog food. They loved it.

I better keep moving.

Love, Dad/Ray.

My imagination is producing a series of battle scenes where I am the assigned leader over a squad of 20 men. We are facing a formidable foe—cunning and crafty in their tactics—and we are outnumbered. It is my leadership, guidance, and strategizing that will determine both our success and safety. Imagine that we have been trudging through the jungle for days with no signs of the enemy. At that point I announce to my men, “OK, guys—I know we’re all hot and weary. From all the evidence, I don’t think the enemy is within 50 miles. And since we have this beautiful river flowing here beside us, let’s have a little time out and take a refreshing dip.” The gang is quick to agree. But suddenly, without warning, we come under enemy fire. It turns ugly real fast—and every one of my men are killed. I am able to scramble away from the fray and soon learn that I am the one and only survivor. Obviously, it was my poor judgment that put us into such a vulnerable position and allowed all this carnage. So how do I then respond to the investigating reporter before the cameras? “My heart is overflowing with joy to know I came through this attack and escaped with my life!” Oh phooey!—I would have to judge me as an absolute jerk! But beyond that, how would I fare when I appear before my Commanding Officer to give my accounting?

Granted—I’m exercising my imagination. But why stop there? I’m using it further to examine this question: How heavenly would I expect heaven to be if I make it there by the skin of my teeth—but have to reflect on my own selfishness and/or irresponsibility that played out to influence so many others—even those of my own family—to NOT make it? These are some heavy thoughts. Nevertheless, I regard them as reasonably compatible with a Biblical perspective.

However it all plays out, Paul is making it clear that his abounding joy and sense of fulfillment is not entirely wrapped up in his own personal salvation. That, of course, is part of it. But that which makes it abounding beyond that is his confidence that he has done what he could to help others find their way to LIFE—and in his final accounting hears his Commanding Officer say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!...Come and share your master's happiness!” (Matthew 25:21; also 2 Timothy 4:6-8).