After the Dance

Yesterday’s message was on the dance that Peter describes in 2 Peter 1. (The words translated “add” in verse five and “supplied” in verse 11 are both the Greek word “epikorageo” which means “upon the leader of the dance.”) We talked about how important it is that we live our lives moving smoothly and gracefully through the various transitions of life, and we went through the list of character qualities in verses 5-7. I was excited about teaching these important truths and, frankly, really enjoyed the morning. I think I did great! (Just kidding. I never feel like I did the passage justice, ever.) But I really do love the truths contained in this passage, I think because I have felt clumsy in how I live my life so often. I really want to get this down.

Last week a man in our church named Randy, who is battling cancer, gave me a watch. There are no hands or numbers on it, and the face just says “NOW.” I started wearing the watch because it reminds me to pray for Randy, and especially because it reminds me to live now. When I looked down at my wrist I had to ask myself, “am I worrying about the past, stressing about the future, or living the best I can right now?” I didn’t say anything about the watch in the first two services, but quite a few people asked me why I’m wearing two watches and I shared a little about what it means to me. By third service I decided to just explain my NOW watch during the message. After the service I had the chance to pray for my good friend Bill Cravenor, who is in a serious battle with cancer himself. Among other things, I prayed that if it is the Lord’s will Bill could live to see another Dodger World Series Championship. (He is a huge Dodger fan.) I told God that things weren’t looking too good for the Dodgers this season so he might have to keep Bill around for another year. (When I prayed that, Bill squeezed my knee, while I’m sure everyone else thought I was nuts.) After the prayer, I put the NOW watch on Bill.

Later in the afternoon the Dodger announcer, Vin Scully, who has been their announcer since 1950, announced that he is returning for yet another year next year. Vin Scully and Bill Cravenor are two of the smoothest, most graceful men I have ever known. I wish them both another season.