Peace, Brother
Amos 3:33 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Inspire Me
Psalm 19:14
14 Let the words of my mouth , and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
So what is it that lights your fire? What single subject ignites your passion, consumes your mind, and fills your heart with dreams and possibilities? For me it is three things; writing, teaching the Bible, and playing the piano.
I love to write. My mind is often filled to capacity with “things” that need to jump out on paper. I’m very happy that no one has to read my handwriting. My daughter delights in poking fun at my poor penmanship, but she understands that sometimes the ideas are pouring out so fast that I’m desperate to capture them before they disappear into the great writer’s idea abyss. Learning the hard lesson, I now carry pad and pen everywhere I go. Many of the Meditations In the Word have been written in waiting rooms, airports, hotel rooms, and anywhere else I have a moment to let “the voices in my head” out.
I’ve also learned to keep a notepad at my bedside. I seem to have the greatest clarity of mind first thing in the morning when my consciousness is somewhere between dreamland and reality. The shower is also a wonderful place for my creative side to shine, but I have yet to develop a water proof paper and pen so I can grab them while they’re there. I’ve lost many good thoughts between the shower and the dressing table. Maybe it’s in the towel – somehow my good ideas just rub off that easy.
I am always writing. Sometimes I find myself writing when I shouldn’t, for instance, in about 7 hours I have to teach a Sunday School Class and then stand in front of a crowd and lead a meaningful worship service. What am I doing? I’m propped up in bed writing. What would a responsible person be doing? Sleeping. I said I loved to write. I didn’t say I always exercised the best judgment.
I probably shouldn’t tell the whole world this, but I dream of being a famous, award-winning author. I picture myself standing in front of cheering crowds (on my publisher financed world book tour), each person clamoring for my signature on the inside jacket of a freshly pressed (and their newly-purchased) copy of my most recent best-seller. Okay, okay. Maybe I should become a fantasy writer – but – could it happen? I don’t know. What I do know is that it doesn’t matter to my passion – I just keep on writing, hoping that someday others will be as excited about my words as I am.
Then there is teaching the Bible. As everyone who has ever taught anything knows, there are few feelings in the world as gratifying as watching the faces of your students light up with understanding. Those epiphany-light-bulb moments. You know the ones I’m talking about. It’s a wonderful feeling that fuels an even more amazing passion.
First I take the precious Bible in hand, study it intensely, meditate in it, mull it over (as my grandmother used to say), then put everything into the simplest, most concise language I can. I then have the privilege of conveying that simple message to others to the point where understanding happens and real learning is experienced, right there in front of my eyes. Wow – the whole process leaves me speechless! God has allowed me to teach His most amazing Word for many years. I pray that as He allows me to continue that lives would be changed in a positive way and that people will learn more about Jesus Christ and let Him and His Word change their lives. That is the greatest reward I could ever know. It both drives and fulfills my passion to teach the Word of God.
Last, but certainly not least, I truly love playing the piano. For me it is more than reading the notes on the staff. It’s different and a little hard to explain – even for me. The closest way I can describe it is this; as I sit at the piano in front of a piece of music, I literally breath in the notes, process them through my soul, and the result streams from my fingers to the ivory keys. It is passion, emotion, expression, reflection, inspiration and some other things I can’t describe all rolled into an extraordinary outburst of everything inside of me, even to the point of saying it defines who I am and what I’m all about.
Music has been a part of my life since the tender age of 4 when I took my first piano lesson. I’m 45 now so you can understand why and how music has inspired me in so many ways through the years. I can honestly say that as I grow older, my passion and desire to make music has grown and I strive to express it in new and interesting, and even more intimate ways. It will be a life-long endeavor, one that I embrace and enjoy.
I have been blessed as I’ve shared these glimpses into my passions, releases, and fulfillments. They put me in vulnerable situations sometimes but that has never given me cause to stop wanting to pursue them or love them. I have been going on and on about me so now it’s time to ask you a simple question, “What inspires you?” What is it that you look forward to when you jump out of bed in the morning? What causes you to have a bounce in your step through the day?
Then I would ask, “Why are you inspired to do this?” Don’t be super-spiritual with me. I’m talking about the things or activities that you get to do that fulfills you in life. I can honestly say I am most inspired by the love I feel from my great God that I have the honor of serving. He inspires me to want to be better, want to do more. He is the subject of my writing, my teaching, and my music. He is at the center of everything in my life. Then there is my family. I have the most loving and caring children a man could desire. They make me strive to be a better dad, a better person for everyone.
I know that I have written in a very personal manner today but my purpose here is to ignite a passion in you and encourage you to follow your dreams, no matter how unreachable they may seem. Keep your eyes on the Lord. Draw your family close, and let the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, inspire you to do everything you can to further His kingdom.
P.S. If He doesn’t light your fire… then your wood is wet!
I hope that this meditation encourages you in a special way today. May God richly bless you!
Just A Boy
Luke 2:41-49
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem ; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem , seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
I wanted to write a song that would describe how Jesus felt on His first journey to Passover in Jerusalem. The Bible tells us He was about 12 years old and even though He was God, He was still filled with all the wonderment and horror of the sights He saw.
As He grew to manhood Jesus walked this entrance into Jerusalem many times, the same entry He would make during His passion. As God He foreknew all of this – I wonder what thoughts went through His mind each time He passed through the gates?
Here are the song lyrics, “Just A Boy.”
The days were dark in Israel then
The Romans held their grip.
It wasn’t safe for any Jew
To make the holy trip.
But to Jerusalem they came
In heed of God’s command;
To celebrate the Passover
They marched throughout the land.
It was a special year for Him
He’d waited oh, so long
The journey it was perilous
But His heart was filled with song.
And as they walked the Roman road
So many wonders seen;
They came upon a ghastly sight
That brought them to their knees.
What was going through His mind
As He looked up toward the sky?
He saw the suffering and the blood
Heard the crowd yell, “Crucify!”
As Jesus passed by on that day
Saw souls nailed to the tree
Knowing that in a short time
He’d die for you and me.
The travelers all were shaken
As they came near the town.
Men and women hung in death
No one dare take them down.
It was a dangerous, evil time
The soldiers merciless;
Jesus walked with parents close
As they continued their progress.
What was going through His mind
As He looked up toward the sky?
He saw the suffering and the blood
Heard the crowd yell, “Crucify!”
As Jesus passed by on that day
Saw souls nailed to the tree
Knowing that in a short time
He’d die for you and me.
He was just a boy
Still God of ages He
Love was stirring in His heart
As He neared Calvary . . .
As they came into the city
Down the same street He would trod.
Jesus bowed His head a bit
And spoke to Father God
It was quite a burden on that boy
Only He knew in His heart
Blood He’d spill on that old street
My salvation to impart.
What was going through His mind
As He looked up toward the sky?
He saw the suffering and the blood
Heard the crowd yell, “Crucify!”
As Jesus passed by on that day
Saw souls nailed to the tree
Knowing that in a short time
He’d die for you and me.
(C) 2008 R. Keith Richardson. All rights reserved.
