Daily Thoughts about God Posts

By Mark Buchanan
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I turned 48 this week.  I’m now older than my in-laws were when I first met them, and my son is almost as old as I was when I first wooed Cheryl.  I had hair on my head then, and none in my ears, and a body I could fold in half, and knees that could ski moguls all day and ask of me no favours the next.  I could clearly hear, and even sing, notes in an upper register, thread a needle in one try, and read fine print on medicine bottles (the once or twice a year I actually needed medicine).  I never napped on the couch, but a few times I wrestled, single-handedly, a couch down a stair case, and one time up.
                
                      What happened here?

A month ago, I hurt my knee.  I’m not exactly sure how.  Something ruptured, something tore.  Now I limp like Jacob or, if it’s really flared, like Quasimodo.  I’ve reached that stage of life where I can no longer trust my body to do what I ask it or go where I send it.
               
                    Crud.

 I’ve been thinking muchly of that biblical phrase, “full of days.�  Many of the patriarchs died full of days.  Roughly, it means they were old.  But it resonates beyond that.  Jesus died at 33.  Yet he was full of days.  Stephen, the first martyr, was likely in his 20s when Paul and company stoned him to death.  Yet he was full of days.  Pastor Carol, who we said goodbye to nearly 2 years ago, was barely into her 40s when she left us.  Yet she was full of days.
             
  I’ve buried many old saints, but I’ve also buried 90-year-olds who I wouldn’t describe as full of days.  They went to their graves bitter, nostalgic, self-absorbed, clinging to baubles and trifles.  And I’ve buried young people who died tragically, because of choices that betrayed them, but I’ve also buried teenagers who died full of days.  They left this world with courage and thanksgiving, radiant with hope. 
 
 Being full of days is not about the duration of your life: it’s about its depth.  It’s not about longevity: it’s about abundance.  Its touchstone is not greyness: it’s grace.

As I age, I want full days.  I am more and more committed to living the fullness of life that Jesus promised (John 10:10).  I want to laugh with more heartiness and weep with greater rawness.  I want to say “I love you� more times in a day than anything else, and “I’m sorry� as quick and as often as it’s needed.  I want to linger with my friends, forgive my enemies, and reconcile with those I estranged along the way.  I want to love God with all I have and all I am.  I want to love my neighbour as myself.
 
               Whether I die soon or late, I want to leave this world full of days.
 
              Even if, between than and now, I go limping all the way.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/07/24/mb_full-of-days/

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Mark Buchanan is a pastor and freelance writer who lives on the West Coast of Canada. Educated at the University of British Columbia and Regent College. Has written, ‘The Rest of God;’ ‘Your God is too Safe’, and ‘Things Unseen’. 
Learn more about Mark: www.newlifechurch.bc.ca/about-us/mark/

By Mark Buchanan
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Last week, I began my Pastor’s Summary whining about my computer – it emitted an incessant squawking that was playing havoc with my mind.  I had disabled things and downloaded things and even removed the computer’s speaker, all to no avail.  I was considering more radical interventions.

 Then Shirley Hill got in touch with me.  She said she had the same problem with her computer.  Her problem was caused by a faulty fan which in turn caused overheating.  “I’m sure you’ve thought of this already,� she said.

        Well, um, actually, no.

So I pulled the terminal back from the side of the desk – it vented straight into it – and I took off the cover and cleaned the computer’s insides thoroughly.

         It’s been blissfully silent ever since.

         Thanks, Shirley!

I learned a valuable lesson in this, and not just about computers.  It was a spiritual lesson:  I have not because I ask not.  Months back I might have rid myself of the problem if, instead of complaining, I’d simply asked for help.

I wonder how often I’ve missed solving a problem because I’m too stubborn or prideful or lazy to ask, or simply because the habit of complaining has displaced the discipline of seeking.  I wonder which of my problems have simple solutions, only I’m oblivious to them.  To find them, I have to humble myself and ask.

        And I wonder if you’re like me. 

Recently, the Elders at New Life have been talking about establishing “Elders at the Gate� – those in our midst full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit who, though they might not hold an official leadership position, could be excellent sources of insight and guidance for those who do.  These would be people whom we could turn to when we’re wrestling with an issue and need more than our own opinion.  We haven’t come up with a clear proposal yet, but more and more we’re longing for something like this. Maybe all kinds of irritating little things, and a few devastating big ones, might be solved, just for the asking.

 Now a personal challenge:  do you have people in your life to whom you go for counsel?  Is there a struggle in your finances, your marriage, your child-rearing, your business, that’s stumped you and plagued you?  Perhaps you have a well-worn habit of griping about it.  But maybe the solution is merely a question or two away, directed at the right person.  Maybe it’s a simple as, “Clean the inside.�

        Why not humble yourself, and ask?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/07/21/mb_you-have-not/

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Mark Buchanan is a pastor and freelance writer who lives on the West Coast of Canada. Educated at the University of British Columbia and Regent College. Has written, The Rest of God; Your God is too Safe, and Things Unseen. Learn more about Mark:  www.newlifechurch.bc.ca/about-us/mark/