I write these essays five nights a week. You read them occasionally.
Sometimes I’m not thinking about you as I write. I’m thinking about me. I’m looking into a mirror and describing what I see. The mirror is glass, sometimes, or the Bible. But I’m not even thinking about you.
But often, I am thinking about you.
I know. That’s scary, especially from a preacher.
We picture slipping into a crowded church room, trying to squeeze into the back row. We can’t. We end up having to walk all the way to the front, to an empty seat. And suddenly, the preacher points at us. “You!” the room echoes. “Sinner!” The spit hits us in the face. We resolve that if we ever get out of here, we will never come back.
So you are sitting there thinking maybe I look through the list of subscribers to this blog, the ones who get it by email or the ones in RSS or the ones who show up other ways (See? I do know how to find out who you are) and decide to pick on someone in particular.
I don’t. I don’t know how to do that. I get heavy-handed when I try that.
Instead, I ask, “what is it that maybe no one ever explained to you about God?” I wonder, “What can I illustrate that no one has shown you.” I think about conversations that you and I have had. I decide to take the conversation one step further.
Because I have talked with many of you face-to-face or comment-to-comment or tweet-to-tweet. And I listened.
By the way, sometimes I’m not the one thinking about you. Not to be spiritual or anything, but sometimes God’s thinking about you and what could help you.
Yes, even you. Especially you.
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Wait!!! Those last three posts weren’t directed at me, and me alone??? This changes everything!!!
yep. completely off the hook. Or aware that you aren’t the only one going through what you are going through?
Sometimes, when I read your posts it does feel like we’re talking one on one. It feels like we’re next to that fire in your house eating Cheddar Popchips and drinking coffee and just talking
We are sitting there talking. Exactly.
Pastor Swanson:
You are incorrect. I do not read your posts occasionally, I read every single one. I try to begin my day with 300 Words but life sometimes does not allow. If not that day, I read two or three together. I also read The Upper Room. I have been reading The Upper Room for 40 years and many of the devotions have been inspiring. Daily, 300 Words causes me to dig deep, pray often, and reflect on my walk. Last night I forwarded your link to two of my co-workers encouraging them to subscribe.
Thank you very much for your faithfulness, dedication, and insight.
Ricky Steele
Ricky – thank you so much for the affirmation and the company you include me with. And thank you for sharing these words.
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