Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday October 15, 2009

The Bible plainly states that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. I am living proof of the truth of this statement.

Due to my having trod the globe for a long time I am often the butt of snide remarks about senility, loss of hair, and most often suffering from a "fragile" memory. At least I think memory is most often mentioned. I love a good comeback on these issues and George Mason gave a glorious one when during the Virginia Ratifying Convention for the Constitution one young whippersnapper referred to Mason as "a poor old man who due to age has lost his wits." Mason replied: "Sir, when yours fail, nobody will ever discover it."

That we all lose a little something along the journey is a tragic reality. I honestly don't remember all that I have lost, except my hair. The wife of my youth mentions this on occasion and in unguarded moments I have caught her gazing longingly upon my once glorious pate. Once she covered her longing for things of years long gone with the remark, "Oh, honey I thought I saw a freckle." I responded "Indians don't have freckles." She then mentioned a sister who is known in the tribe as the "Freckled Princess." Due to the rigors of time I had forgotten about this tribal abnormality. I don't think blondes ever forget anything, at least the married ones. She did ask me if the Lord takes her home first would I marry another blonde. It hit me that if the Lord does this and I were to remarry, it most likely would be some grey haired has been. Such is life, but as I said at the outset, if we love Jesus persecution is part of our earthly lot.

I do have a 74 year old friend who married a girl of 20. So I suppose there is a faint glimmer of hope, though it is obvious the mind goes first.

As I write I hear a song in the background by the Majestic Choir, accompanied by a full orchestra and the song is "O Rejoice In The Lord" and is based on Job 23:10:

"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."

I first heard the song 20 years ago when I was the speaker for a camp ran by Dr. Phil Stringer. The teens performed this piece with gusto and élan. I will always remember the kids and time.

So even though the rigors of time try my soul, I find a reason to rejoice in the Lord.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2009 Use with credit

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