A Brief Sermon

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"Each morning, you are given a choice," the reverend says after moving to the side of the pulpit.

He wears black slacks and a dark gray shirt.  His collar is open and his reading glasses rest on the bridge of his nose.  His brown hair has the tendency to always look uncombed, whether it be Sunday morning at the pulpit, or Friday night at the local high school's basketball game.

Once he stood behind the ornate piece of wood as if it protected him from some worldly judgement.  In those days he wasn't as confident in his ability to pastor a flock.  Now he often seeks a position of deeper intimacy with those who step through the doors of their Father's Home.

"Every morning," he continues. "You and I we have a choice.  Now you know I'm not talking about breakfast.  About whether to have coffee or tea, cereal or eggs.  That is a choice that nourishes your body.  I'm speaking about... you guessed it... your soul.  We have doctors out there to address what is consumed by your mouth.  I wish to address what is consumed by your heart, thus feeding your soul."

He rests his right arm on the edge of the stand.  His fingers tap lightly on the finished Walnut.  For three years, every Sunday morning, he has stood before this congregation.  Death has claimed a few, the elderly, a horrible accident three years ago.  Birth has brought new souls to be fed.  Occasionally someone returns to church, and this congregation of souls is chosen.

Each one, a new responsibility entrusted to him. 

"So, here's the choice.  Do I ponder the world?  Do I ponder wars?  Do I ponder political badgering?  Do I ponder last night's sporting event?  Do I ponder the coming day, consider every task I must complete before I rest, and prepare to do it all over again?  Or do I ponder God.  His Word.  His gift of a new day.  Do I humbly come before Him and ask for the things I don't really need."

His gaze takes in each member of his flock.  He knows them by name.  He has prayed with some, broken bread with others.

"We are children," the reverend says, after a brief pause. "We seek foolish things.  Even so, we have a father in heaven who listens.  His son told us so.  Jesus told us to be persistent.  If you don't believe me, open your Bible, read the first eight verses of Luke eighteen.  Believe God's word.  It is one of the many gifts he has given you.

"So, tomorrow morning, make this choice.  Thank God for a new day, whether it is cloudy, or the sky is filled with a blazing sun, whether it is hot or cold.  Thank Him for the rain.  Thank Him for sub-zero temperatures.  Then offer praise, maybe a prayer of thanksgiving, and ponder His word.  Perhaps just a verse or two.  Let His word soak into your life and settle to rest in your heart."



copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr

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