Today is Charles Staple Lewis’ birthday. He was born on this day 123 years ago. I encountered his writing when I wanted a great series of books to read with my children. I soon found out how he had a gift for writing profound concepts in a simple manner. This quote by Lewis reminds me to
“Don’t use words too big for the subject. Don’t say ‘infinitely’ when you mean ‘very’; otherwise you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.”
I have to watch this because when I learn a new word, I can feel tempted to find a way to wedge it into a sentence. For instance, today’s Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day is obfuscate. On one hand, it is the perfect word to describe what C. S. Lewis was talking about. It means, to make something more difficult to understand.
On the other hand, why would I want to use that when I could just say, “keep it simple?” What is the purpose of using complicated, rarely-used words when a simple one will do?
Therefore, I will try to honor Lewis by avoiding words that are too big for the subject. Keep it simple, Kevin!
Both pastors had compelling stories on how their legacies affected their call to ministry.
Both pastors emphasized while their family lineage was something to cherish, neither was called just because it was the family business. In fact, they may have hesitated because they didn’t want to enter ministry simply because it was expected of them.
Different Paths
But each traveled on different journeys. to get there.
One pastor ran from his calling and lived a life far from God until he was called back to faith and ministry. It’s a compelling story of redemption. He has been near death twice. He has a testimony that maintains nobody is too far gone to be saved.
The other pastor felt the call after he had been out in the workforce for three years. His career was flourishing, but he found the call to ministry irresistible. He has benefited from the mentorship of his father and is passing that legacy to the next generation.
Families of Origin
I resonated with their stories because, though I haven’t been called to pastor a church, my grandfather was a pastor. I felt similar pressure to perhaps go into ministry because of my legacy. Now mind you, nobody placed that pressure on me but myself. Still, I felt it and didn’t want to succumb to it just because it was part of my ancestry.
At the same time, the legacy of my parents, grandparents, and preceding generations had a profound impact on my life and the lives of my children. While only my maternal grandfather was a pastor, all faithfully lived their lives in powerful ways.
Legacies are important facets of our lives. They don’t totally define us, but they are a part of us. Some of us have great legacies that can be cherished. Others are working through baggage brought on by our family history. Every family has some skeletons in their closet—even good families.
We are not ultimately defined by our past, though it is part of our definition. We can embrace the good aspects of our family of origin and learn from the less than the pristine side of our family of origin.
Today, we have an opportunity to affect our future generations. If we are called, we can answer that call. If we need to address the sins of the past, let’s do it and give the following generations a good start. It reminds me of a song by Steve Green, May all who come behind us find us faithful.
As I get older, it’s fun to see friends and peers reinventing themselves. Pivoting has been essential during the COVID-19 pandemic and many people have done just that. I wrote this article about two musicians that found their place during the pandemic.
Our best-laid plans were upended in 2020. Everyone has had to find a way to live and work in an alternative way. Some of us have struggled while others have been able to make it work. Resilience and the willingness to change have made a big difference when it has felt like the world was falling apart.
Life rarely goes the way we hoped it would. There are happy surprises as well as unpleasant ones. The future is rarely as predictable as we would like to think it is. Even as there are signs of improvement in COVID vaccines and the economy, we will face some setbacks along the way.
Live with open hands. Find a new melody. Be flexible. It is great advice now and will be great advice in the near and distant future.
As I write this, it has been a year since everything went into lockdown. As a result, we began to realize a virus was going to dominate our lives for the rest of the year. We’ve heard quite a few stories of lives lost, families struggling with finances, and squabbles about how to bring a pandemic under control.
But I had the opportunity to interview a friend who went through a very nasty bout of COVID in December and January. It was published it in early March.
It is both an article about the serious effects of this disease and an inspirational story about hope and a very special Christmas morning.
About the time this happened. A dear uncle and aunt of my wife had the disease. Our aunt didn’t make it. The uncle continues to deal with the devastating effects of this disease. It’s been a continual reminder to me that this virus is nothing to be trifled with.
Do miracles happen even today? Yes, they can happen even with COVID-19. Therefore, if someone you know, or you are struggling with this disease, keep fighting and keep hope alive. This scourge can be overcome.
However, I didn’t write this to downplay the severity of the pandemic. I know people are suffering. After all, my interviewee didn’t have a smooth ride through the ordeal. She was challenged like she never had been before. But she made it!
In conclusion, I had a Zoom call with her and her husband the other day. She continues to heal; she is on the mend. I pray that others that have faced the physical and financial challenges of COVID-19 will experience similar inspirational stories of miracles, hope, and recovery.
We get excited about new things. Our culture likes the latest and greatest. But are rebirth and renewal possible? Is it better to reinvent and bring something to life?
A couple whom I know and have worked with have relaunched a church in Sarasota, Florida. There’s something special about restarting something that appeared to be over. Restarting can be just as exciting as beginning something new. This couple is doing something special in sunny Florida. If you live in the area, I’d encourage you to visit them.
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