Returning to the Source... 2008

There was a man who was a line painter for the highway department back in the days when the lines were painted by hand. He was entered into a three-day contest and the first day of the contest he painted five miles of highway. The next day he painted 500 feet and the last day he painted 27 feet.

When he was asked why his total output dropped so dramatically each day he replied, “It’s very simple. Every day I was further away from the pail of paint!” Simply put, every day he was moving farther and farther from the source.

I know I’m preaching to the “preacher” here, but the same thing can and does happen to us all. It’s easy to move away from the source of our “spiritual life and well being” and as a consequence become less and less effective in living the Call; "less output". As was shared by a former officer in the UK in last week's blog; ˆTotal dependency is what we need in order to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him. I think for me this has to be my number one resolution for 2008. I need to depend, not just say it, but do it, act on it, trust Him!"

In last Sunday’s Holiness Meeting our CO, Captain Rick Starkey shared in his message statistics published in 1967. Forecasters suggested that by the year 2000 the average workweek would consist of 22 hours and we would enjoy 27 weeks of annual vacation. The predictions were based on how computers would revolutionize our lives. Revolutionize they did! But not in the manner suggested by those forecasters. Our workweek is still a full forty hours or more. As for the computers? They have added to our downtime “work” because, if you are like me, the first thing we do after pouring a cup of coffee in the morning is to check the e-mail inbox, and the last thing at night is to send off a greeting by e-mail, and perhaps update our own tomorrow’s to-do list!

Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:15 – “Be very careful then, how you live ( how you spend your time), not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…”

As we begin a new year the challenge I want to issue to you and myself is this; Create space in your busy schedule where God can get at you, before you get at God. As I contemplate the days and months ahead, and all those leisure hours I won’t have, those predicted by the 1967 forecasters, I need to return to the Source each day, “the Source of reviving strength”. Jesus warned us that the devil steals our time. And even in the busyness of “doing good” we can lose sight of the fact that our Source has been absent and perhaps left to the side. Doing good does not translate as “making the most of every opportunity…”

It’s said that if you examine a person’s “daily planner” and check (cheque) book, they will reveal to you all you ever need to know about a person. In my “daily planner” for 2008 I have listed “create space for God” as the first priority in the morning, and as the very last at night, for each and every day. And as reminder of that daily commitment to “create space”, I have entered into a cyberspace spiritual relationship with a prayer partner, a fellow former officer. Each morning and evening a meditation and prayer is exchanged via e-mail. While the computer has been a bane in many ways, (porno-gambling, etc) it provides countless opportunities to return to and share the Source with others by “making the most of every opportunity.”

Here at the cross in this sacred hour,
Here at the source of reviving power,
Helpless indeed, I come with my need,
Lord for thy service, fit me I plead.
Bramwell Coles

Why not take time and share a brief comment with the readers of this blog as to the websites or blogs that bring you back to the Source? A favorite of mine is; http://tcspeak.blogspot.com . You may also findl http://www.thehighcalling.org inspirational.

Many blessings this and every day in 2008 !

Sven Ljungholm
Middletown Corps, Ct. USA East