With nicer weather, we are entering into Parade season. Don’t you love hearing the marching bands? First the drums, then the tubas, with the full music swelling as it approaches. But before you know it, this band fades into the next one in line.
This is also the season of flowers. Have you noticed the pictures at worship? We’ve tried to show a weekly progression of the blossoms around the church. Every springtime is like a parade of flowers! First the crocus and the daffodils, then tulips. The blooming trees burst out, each in their turn. As one fades, another marches down the street blaring out its beauty. Lilacs are just beginning, peonies are on the way, and a host of others just beginning to push their way out of the ground. How easy it is to see the hand of God behind it all, in beauty revealing His love to the world. Spring would be pretty if the only flower were tulips, and the only color red. But don’t you appreciate God’s exuberance?
You might say that the Bible is like a parade also. We read about one character after another who was faithful in serving God in their day. Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Sampson, David… none of them perfect, but all of them making a contribution. In the New Testament we read about Peter and John and Paul continuing the march. Jesus, the Grand Marshal, came in the middle.
You could read church history and see that the parade has continued on over the centuries. Again, easy to see God’s hand guiding, His word inspiring, His Holy Spirit empowering. God has a purpose and a design for this world.
I like to read and remember our own church history, the pastors who have served here, the members who helped shape who we are today. Like Loretta McCombs teaching the Busy Bee class for over 50 years! Even though she has been gone for several years now, her service to Christ is still affecting lives. I love hearing the stories of our first VBS, or pouring the concrete for the basement walls all in one day. It’s amazing how God has planned it so one generation flows into another and the music keeps playing.
Does it make you wonder what a future generation will remember about us? We are part of the parade! We didn’t start it; we didn’t even choose the music. We’re just trying to follow the Director.
Wait… if we are in the parade, then who is watching it? Our children, of course. They want to know if it is worth it to jump in line. Will our lives inspire them to take music lessons so they can play in God’s marching band? Those who have made wrong decisions, living apart from Christ, whose lives are in turmoil, are also watching to see if there might be hope for them.
I think there are more – the Saints who have gone before, who have already finished the course, are watching to see how we will continue. Not with a critical eye to point out our sour notes, but cheering us on and celebrating that the song goes on.
And ultimately God is our audience. He’s the one who really matters. He is the one who designed the parade in the first place. It’s His mind that planned the route. His hand wrote the music and set the tempo.
Keep on Marching!
Blessings!
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