September 11, 2024

Most of the students who will graduate from college this year have no recollection of that fateful 09-11-01. It seems like a long time ago, and in many ways, it was, but the effects linger.

On another point…

Sunday afternoon, downtown Detroit was a giant tailgate party. One had to look far and wide in order to find a Rams fan. 6-8 hours before kickoff, Lions fans were filling the city, the parking lots, the sidewalks and about every inch of road. Traffic was gridlocked. It used to be that you could roll up the sidewalks in Detroit after 5p and certainly the weekends. Not anymore. People showed up early to find a parking spot so they could enjoy the camaraderie and then get to the game long before the national anthem.

For a few minutes, I let my mind dream of a Sunday morning at church, when people gather at dawn to eat in the parking lot together, to encourage each other, and talk excitedly about what they were going to hear from the Word of God later that morning. Chants of “Luke – Luke – Luke” echo from one group to another while cars slowly circle the lot trying in vain to find a parking spot. The drivers, finally resign themselves to dropping off their riders at an entrance while they go to a distant lot to park and then walk in. When the doors open, people file in early to find a seat, everyone is in place for the opening prayer, call to worship, ready to sing, ready to engage and of course, hungry for the Word.

It is a lot of fun to see the excitement of our city for the Lions. It has been a long time coming and it is a change that I think I could get used to. I also realize that in the end, none of that will matter. But how we hear, take to heart and engage with God’s Word matters now and forever. Ask God to give you the vision to see the difference between what matters and what doesn’t and the wisdom to put your affections in what will count for eternity.

Grace and peace,

Bob

Sunday’s Text: Luke 8:40-56

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