My business trip has come and gone (and nearly gone is my last week of summer break). The Lord was gracious to give much strength and patience for the trip. Much driving - through narrow mountain passes, rolling hills, horse country, flat cornfields, and harrowing city traffic. Much professional development - networking, delivering pedagogical information, and attending some outstanding concerts. Much walking - as my pictures prove.
City life can initially appear glamorous, but under the shiny facade is poverty, pollution, and sinfulness. I always try to see things (and people) for what they really are, and no doubt my own heart is the most difficult to read truthfully. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jer. 17:9). Indeed, my heart is an "idol factory," as John Calvin so aptly describes it.
As I head into the new academic year, beginning with faculty meetings next week, my prayer is, "Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy name" (Psalm 86:11). My heart is so often divided - I may do the right things, but for the wrong reasons, or do something half-heartedly. But if my heart is united in the fear of God, then the outworkings of my life - my thoughts, my service, my times of recreation - will be in tune with that one goal and aim of God's glory. Soli Deo gloria!
Thankfully, this final weekend of summer is a quiet one. I have been engaged in some thorough cleaning and organization and cooking in preparation for the busyness soon to commence, while still carving out time for reading, enjoying the outdoors, and fellowship with others.
As I find myself wondering how you are spending these late summer days, I pray that these days, and weeks, and months, and years leading up to our meeting would be profitable for our spiritual growth and personal development. May we never stagnate or atrophy during this "waiting time."
- Your Evenstar
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