I better start off saying that if you expect some great theological insights here or a great reflection on “Earth Day”, then you better find another article to read. But, you might find this mildly entertaining, and it does have a point of practicality.
Earth Day #1 was in 1970, 40 years ago. I was 17. Sure, do the math. I’m 57 now. It’s all-good. :-)
That first Earth Day in Lower Bucks County, PA was celebrated by a 26 mile walk.
I was a Senior at Neshaminy High School and I had been accepted at Drexel University. I loved High School. I was in concert choir. We did tons of concerts every year in and out of the school. When I was a Junior we went to Florida to sing at the DeSoto Celebration. That was awesome, except for our train crash on the way down. I was in lots of school plays. Each year I was in the school musical, a drama, and the musical we would do in summer stock. I never had anything close to a lead role, only a few speaking parts here and there, and “chorus”. A part in the chorus was what everyone got who tried out and didn’t get a real part. Kindof like the “participation” ribbons everyone gets today. It was still fun taking part, dressing up, and on show nights some girls would put makeup on you. Always enjoyed that part.
I was a volunteer fireman, so I had equipped my dad’s Dodge Polara with a CB, a PA, my fire radio receiver, and blue emergency lights. I kept my “dress uniform” fire hat on the dash. The girls thought I was pretty cool. Well, I guess actually, I thought I was pretty cool. Not sure about anyone else. I had not yet met my wife. I did not even go to my High School Prom. Still, an inflated ego. Somehow, I lived through it.
So, being the fine volunteer, civic minded young man I was, I volunteered to help out at the Walk. In case you missed it, that’s an exaggeration. I was no different from most of any other high school guy – I just wanted to have fun – especially anything with a car.
So at Earth Day #1, I was a go-fer. I visited various aid stations along the route through the day, bussing some of the organizers around. Honestly, the day itself didn’t really mean much to me. Of course I thought it was a good thing. But, I certainly wasn’t passionate about saving the Earth. I was too interested in cars, girls, electronics, and fighting fires. Not much intentionality in my life. Somehow, I lived through it.
One of the kids at my school ran the whole 26 miles, literally a marathon distance. I thought he was nuts.
Somewhere along the way I pulled up behind a guy (a real adult) on a ramp to route #1 South. His brake light was out. So, I just thought I’d be a nice guy and let him know, while we were waiting to get onto route #1, so I got on my PA and told him his taillight was out. So he opens the door and walked back toward my car! I had no idea what was going to happen. He walks up and starts apologizing to me for not getting it fixed yet. I regained my composure, straigtened up a bit, told him it was ok, but he should get it fixed as soon as he could. This man was probably 20 years older than me. I was a kid in my dad’s car. I had no authority. I guess the fireman’s hat (which was actually, yes, on my head at the time) made him think I was some kind of authority. Well, I never did that again. Not sayin’ I didn’t have other fun with my PA though. Youthful craziness. Somehow, I lived through it.
Years later, I did find out my wife was one of the participants in the walk! Also found out years later, she also lived next-door to the church I went to as a kid. Right next-door! We figured out we were probably both at VBS together at least once or twice, as little kids. Feasterville Baptist. A few years ago when my in-laws were moving out I had the chance to spend some time in the old sanctuary there. The pews weren’t there. The church was changing hands and being completely renovated. So I had to imagine where I was sitting when I responded to an altar call the “first” time, when I was about 7.
Gotta say, it was kinda cool to be there in that room again after all that time. I felt like I was looking back at myself 50 years ago. I’m glad my Aunt suggested to my mom that I go to that church with her and my cousins.
So today, of course I do care about the Earth. It’s God’s Creation. I care immensely about my faith and I value the place and day it began, and all the Saints who tried to guide me along the way. My old Sunday School teacher was a pretty cool guy. He used to take us to Phillies games, at Connie Mack Stadium. Maybe he’s one reason I do what I do today.
Funny. He used to try to tell me rock and roll was the devil’s music. But I loved it. My parents didn’t know it, but, I used to sneak-listen to a transistor radio I bought, under the covers after I went to bed. Now I love Contemporary Christian Music and work at some of the concerts. I was a little off the mark from where my mentor wished I was. Somehow, I lived through it.
Somehow, maybe God is at work in spite of everything I do. And, maybe somehow, God was able to work in and through everything my mentor did, whether it was exactly the right approach or not.
Maybe that’s a good point to end with. Youthful craziness, just how critical should I be of the youth I pastor? As a youth pastor, it’s really hard to figure out what you are doing right, exactly where to take a stand, without alienating kids. Maybe it doesn’t matter so much. Like parenting. I’m no authority, but I don’t think it’s the day-to-day decisions individually that make that much difference. Just that we are there, to bring God into a kid’s life, and make them think about God once in a while. Maybe what really counts is what God makes happen between God and each kid. Maybe I should not be so concerned about making all the right calls like a good umpire. After all, the Pharisees probably would have been great umpires, but they couldn't recognize the Son of God.
Maybe sometimes at least, I just need to stand to the side, get out of the way, and let God in.
Happy Hiking and God Bless,
- allen
Saturday, May 1, 2010
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