May 16, 2014 4 min read

Text: “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.'” Revelation 22:13.

So often in our lives, we experience firsts and lasts, starts and finishes and openings and closings.

Such is the case this time as this is the last of my meditations to be published by the Herald-Standard. Starting in 1988, for about 25 years (with few interruptions), I have had the privilege to write this column. You are the judge of how well these meditations have served God, the church and you, the readers. I was always thankful for any helpful comments and/or recommendations.

Apostle Paul wrote: “. . . making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16. New International Bible. I feel that it was a God-given opportunity that I could reach so many with the Word of God. I am grateful to the leaders and staff of the Herald-Standard, those others who helped me, and last but not least, those of you who showed interest in reading this weekly religious column. I hope that my time and effort were not in vain.

Relatively speaking, in our country the majority of people live in peace and prosperity; they work hard and enjoy the fruit of their labor. Our busy schedules and special interests do not give us much time to pay attention to religious issues. However, may we pray for and hope there will not be a sad event (war, depression, natural disaster) that will force us to kneel down and then realize that our human knowledge, power and abilities are insufficient to keep ourselves safe. The old wisdom says: “There is no atheist in the foxhole.”

Every sunrise is a new beginning and every sunset is the closing of the day. This can be further applied to seasons, years and even decades. As far as our birth and our last day on earth are concerned, we do not have control over them. However, there are opportunities we can use as new beginnings or as chances to discontinue that which is harmful. Please think how different our lives could be if more people would start to pray, be honest, polite and dedicated as well as give up bad habits, dishonest dealings and hostile attitudes. There are so many artificial products and procedures today. We cannot deny some of them are beneficial and advantageous, however, is it possible to create virtual or artificial peace, happiness, harmony, and salvation?

Please ask yourselves, for whose sake does one go to the physician, dentist or lawyer and for whose sake does one send his/her children to school? Does a farmer cultivate the land exclusively for the hungry people? Is it not also in his own interest? Following this line of thinking we should ask, eventually in whose interest is it to pray, attend church services and worship God?

Let us extend our horizon as far as to the other continents and raise the question of which group outnumbers the other: the rich, fortunate and famous, or the poor, oppressed, miserable and unhappy? If the tension between these two groups slowly but surely grows, where will it end? Are not we witnessing increasing social unrest, political upheavals, terrorist bombings and civil wars? Should we blame only the leaders when they were elected by the people? In a democratic society the leaders do not have absolute power; there are the legislative body and the Constitution as well.

Which influences the people most-the speeches of the elected leaders, the mass media, the living standard or the Word of God being proclaimed by the churches? After a certain point, “the point of no return,” we will ask ourselves in vain, “Had we listened to what we were told, would we now be in this dire situation?”

I wish to bid farewell to all of you with these Bible quotations: “‘Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me . . . He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.'” Psalm 50:14-15 and 23.