A MID-WEEK MESSAGE FROM PASTOR DARREN...



Fret not…Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

                                                                                               Psalm 37:1, 4

Dear Friends,

I look forward to being with you this Sunday as we gather in gratitude and in faithful response to the goodness of God here at Ashland Place UMC. My thanks to Rev. Jennifer and Rev. Julie for their service and witness last Sunday.

A little earlier today, our Administrative Board met to help order the life of our church for mission and ministry. I am grateful for the leadership of our laity who help us to keep our eyes on the road ahead.

In his book of Unnamed Prayers, writer Chad Bird shares a devotional thought that I found particularly helpful this morning. Are you familiar with the ‘Smith System’? 

Professional drivers are trained in the “Smith System,” which has five keys to safe driving, the first of which is “Aim high in steering.” This means to lift your eyes from what is directly in front of you to see where you will be fifteen seconds down the road. Look up. Aim high. Things are moving fast. So, direct your eyes to what is coming. That way, you will be ready to react safely and wisely.

If the Smith System tells drivers to “aim high in steering,” then Psalm 37 admonishes us to “aim high in living.” David says, “Fret not because of evildoers.” The Hebrew verb for “fret” carries the connotation of being “heated up” (37:1). Do not get incensed about wrongdoers, nor be envious of how well they may appear to be doing. Why? Aim high, look down the road to what is coming in fifteen months or fifteen years.

What do you see? “[Evildoers] will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb” (37:2). Let the one who is wise aim high in living. Cultivate an eternal perspective. 

Rather than “aiming low” in envy or anger about evildoers, aim to “trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness” (37:3).

Earlier this week, Kristi and I traveled with our youngest son, Max, to attend a college tour at a small school in Redmond, Washington (a suburb of Seattle). While we had some familiarity with the area from a summer vacation 5+ years ago, none of us had seen this particular school before, or even knew that the institution existed until more recently. Given the timing of the autumn leaves, I was excited to make the trip; but a little nervous, too. All along, there was a running narrative in my head: 

Washington state is about as far away as one can get from Mobile, Al. What if he likes it? What kind of features will matter most to him in this decision? If and when he chooses, how will he discern where God is leading him in this next chapter? How can we best support him, guide him, or protect him? How do we do all of that, and still stay in control?   

That last question is more of a joke, really. It is one that every parent knows well, even if they do not find it funny at all. 

As members of the household of God, all of us either have children or are somebody’s child. And for all of us, looking down the road without fear or trepidation is an act of great faith. 

From the moment of our children’s baptism, we pledged to accept the freedom and power that God gives them (and us!) to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they may present themselves. 

Sometimes, I wonder if that list includes the pressure of parental, social, or even self-inflicted expectations. What is the vision that we carry for ourselves or others? Is it life-giving? Or is it overwhelming? 

In those same vows, we also said that with the help of the church, we would nurture each other in such a way that we might all learn to accept God’s grace for ourselves, and to claim this faith as our own. 

Every time I revisit that covenant, I recognize that my control of the situation was never a part of the promise of God. 

Thus, my appreciation for wisdom of the psalm:

I have been young, and now am old,

yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken

or his children begging for bread. 

He is ever lending generously,

and his children become a blessing.

                                   –Psalm 37:25-26

And the echo of this simple hymn:

Lead me, Lord, lead me in Thy righteousness;

make Thy way plain before my face.

For it is Thou, Lord, Thou Lord only,

that makest me dwell in safety.

This Sunday, Kristi and I will be bringing our estimate of giving for 2027. We do this as an act of worship and as a sign of what this church family means to us. We give thanks to God for each and every one of you. We feel blessed to share in this life together.

                                                           Grace to You,

                                                Darren