Who walked before you?
TODAY'S PROVERB: So you will walk in the way of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. Proverbs 2:20
Yesterday was All Saints Day, a day set aside to remember the great men and women of the past who walked the path of righteousness. Those who went before us. The cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1).
Those well-known. Those in obscurity--even to those around them. Those unknown to the masses, but well known by us.
There are the fathers and mothers of Israel whose journeys we read about in the Bible--they cast a wide circle that includes the past, present, and future.
There are the fathers and mothers we read about in history books--like Jeanne Guyon, Francis of Assisi, Martin Chernoff, and Billy Graham. Their words and deeds also live on in books.
But what of the kedoshim--the saints--whose circle is small, barely a pinprick of light in a dark world? The people in our lives who were Godly mentors and pioneers in the wilderness. Ambassadors of renewal and justice and living the Bible each day.
Their names are unknown to most. But, no less important. It lies with us to speak their names and remember their words and deeds in our world--our families, neighborhoods, congregations, and communities.
Oswald Chambers had a circle of influence as a minister and chaplain. He even was in the process of writing a book when he died of complications from a ruptured appendix. But, it was his wife, Gertrude "Biddy" who widened Chambers' circle of influence by transcribing notes she had taken while her husband was in Bible school. Those notes became My Utmost for His Highest. She saw the profound in his little messages and thoughts. Since 1924, the book has never been out of print, and has been translated into 39 languages.
Who are the saints that influenced you? How do you remember them?
There's a lovely Jewish tradition of lighting the yahrzeit candle, also known as the memory candle. Loved ones light the candle on special days--like their birthday or the anniversary of their loved one's death--to remember them. There are all sorts of beautiful traditions associated with it, but anyone can do this sweet ceremony in their home.
My husband and I will light a candle on the anniversary of our loved ones' deaths or their birthdays. We speak their name out loud as we light the little votive. Off and on during the day we remember the positive influences they made in our life. Talk about our sweet and funny memories. Laugh. Remember. Maybe shed a tear or two.
Simple, but intentional.
Today, may I encourage you to remember those you knew who helped you on the wisdom and faith journey? Light a candle. Or perhaps find a photograph and place it in a prominent spot. Then, remember. Speak their name. In fact, write their name in a post below. And if you feel comfortable, share a little something about how they influenced you in your wisdom and faith journey.
May we remember those who have walked the path before us, my friends.
Proverbs 2:20, #tlvbible #tlvproverbs
[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]
Yesterday was All Saints Day, a day set aside to remember the great men and women of the past who walked the path of righteousness. Those who went before us. The cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1).
Those well-known. Those in obscurity--even to those around them. Those unknown to the masses, but well known by us.
There are the fathers and mothers of Israel whose journeys we read about in the Bible--they cast a wide circle that includes the past, present, and future.
There are the fathers and mothers we read about in history books--like Jeanne Guyon, Francis of Assisi, Martin Chernoff, and Billy Graham. Their words and deeds also live on in books.
But what of the kedoshim--the saints--whose circle is small, barely a pinprick of light in a dark world? The people in our lives who were Godly mentors and pioneers in the wilderness. Ambassadors of renewal and justice and living the Bible each day.
Their names are unknown to most. But, no less important. It lies with us to speak their names and remember their words and deeds in our world--our families, neighborhoods, congregations, and communities.
Oswald Chambers had a circle of influence as a minister and chaplain. He even was in the process of writing a book when he died of complications from a ruptured appendix. But, it was his wife, Gertrude "Biddy" who widened Chambers' circle of influence by transcribing notes she had taken while her husband was in Bible school. Those notes became My Utmost for His Highest. She saw the profound in his little messages and thoughts. Since 1924, the book has never been out of print, and has been translated into 39 languages.
Who are the saints that influenced you? How do you remember them?
There's a lovely Jewish tradition of lighting the yahrzeit candle, also known as the memory candle. Loved ones light the candle on special days--like their birthday or the anniversary of their loved one's death--to remember them. There are all sorts of beautiful traditions associated with it, but anyone can do this sweet ceremony in their home.
My husband and I will light a candle on the anniversary of our loved ones' deaths or their birthdays. We speak their name out loud as we light the little votive. Off and on during the day we remember the positive influences they made in our life. Talk about our sweet and funny memories. Laugh. Remember. Maybe shed a tear or two.
Simple, but intentional.
Today, may I encourage you to remember those you knew who helped you on the wisdom and faith journey? Light a candle. Or perhaps find a photograph and place it in a prominent spot. Then, remember. Speak their name. In fact, write their name in a post below. And if you feel comfortable, share a little something about how they influenced you in your wisdom and faith journey.
May we remember those who have walked the path before us, my friends.
Proverbs 2:20, #tlvbible #tlvproverbs
[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]
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