Dear Trekker,

Recently we were sitting in the living room of the home of one of our grandson’s and his wife. Not being blessed with children naturally born, they were thinking of becoming foster parents. They were serious and I certainly applauded their intentions. My grandson pulled out a stack of books he had been reading to become a “good foster parent.” One I had passed to his father years ago. I smiled, addressed him by name and commented, “I want to make an observation. Any success, the essence of life and everything goes back to two words written throughout the Scriptures, starting with the Old Testament. Those words are order and grace. All the rest of being is details that hang on these two words. It’s the law and prophets (resp.) which define order and pronounce grace. Get that right and live it, and one will be a good parent.”

God’s order flows from the ordained relationship God desires for those He created in His image and re-created in Christ and the Spirit for eternity. God’s grace made it all possible, “for by grace are we saved through faith, not of ourselves (unbelievers we are); it is the gift of God…” (Eph 2:8-9).

I explained to my grandson that good parenting is following in the steps of God. That means establishing structure (rules for relationships) to provide a good foundation for the child, then forgiving the child (over and over again) as a model of grace to permit him/her to “never give up,” to focus not on the failure, but the possible success promised by the LifeGiver!

Now, in my daily Scripture reading a few days ago, I was in John 8. Interesting passage! John 8:31-32 says: “You are truly my disciples if you live as I tell you to, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (italics mine). Notice the progression: God has spoken (order is set in place)…we are to live such order…when we do so, i.e. live the truth, we are free people! That is the structure…knowledge dawns from doing, and freedom results! For sure, God’s order cannot be ignored or abandoned. If so, our quest for meaning is endless! Thus, history is written.

In every epoch of history, it seems as if we have been tirelessly seeking answers, yet forgetting the Answerer! It is ironic! God, the creator and sustainer of life, brought order out of chaos (Gen 1:1-2). We will never know the why or less how He did it. The evidence for God is substantial, but we must believe God’s truth for it to “take hold” in our lives.

Is it not true, every postulate projecting the meaning of life without starting with what God has said and done is doomed to failure? Is this not the story of world history? We try to construct life without acknowledging God or taking seriously what he has said. It is fruitless! Man’s perennial plight.

Then I thought of building a house (or life or family) on rock or sand. “Building a house” is a rich metaphor for the foundation of family for our lives. We build on rock (God is, He speaks, His order cannot be abrogated or changed.) or we build on sand! Sand is a synonym for Godlessness, i.e. leaving God out of the picture as if He does not exist. And we wonder today why everything seems so off track! The answer is obvious.

In fact, leaving God out of the picture is like building your house on sand. Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:24-27), is speaking as a carpenter as well as the Creator. Jesus states that people must not only believe, they must build (do). Knowledge of anything may yield little or nothing; knowledge is relevant only when acted on. Biblical expositor William Barclay says it poignantly: “Knowledge must become action; theory must become practice. Theology must become life.”

As I reflect on my almost 85 years, I am amazed at the accuracy of God’s written Word known as Scripture. It is all there, if believed and lived. If ignored or denied, Godlessness results. It is inevitable. It can be “no other way.” Man has no chance to build a “just order” without recognizing the Order set in place…otherwise, all is shifting sand.

A few comments on the “why” of the Ten Commandments seem to be in order, no pun intended: There is only one true God, so recognize and worship him only. Other Gods are non-existent, so in your “religious” nature, don’t make material gods yourself. “Creating Gods in your image is ridiculous and stupid” might be another way of saying it. When you use God’s name, it must always be with respect and reverence. Set aside a day for worship of Him only. Honor the giver of earthly life, your father and mother. Don’t take a life, as each life is sacred. Don’t adulterate any relationship or practice and cheapen what God has made precious. No good can come from lying, cheating, or stealing. That is sand on which no society can rest. Don’t covet what your neighbor is or has, as each human is unique, a Divine original life to be lived out. One can readily see why any society which is to be a “good foundation,” or any family which launches a child, must follow these simple, practical rules if it is to survive and grow and achieve “the pursuit (and realization) of happiness.”

On the same day John 8 brought a new ray of light on the key to living, Psalm 112 also leaped off the page into my lap as never before! I read it in the Living Bible. It seems to be the story of the blessed life. Here it is: “Praise the Lord! For all who fear God (only) and trust in Him are blessed beyond expression (amen!). Yes, happy is the man who delights in doing His commands. His children shall be honored everywhere, for good men’s sons have a special heritage. He himself shall be wealthy, and his good deeds will never be forgotten. When darkness overtakes him, light will come bursting in. He is kind and merciful, and all goes well for the generous man who conducts his business fairly. Such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God’s constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. That is why he is not afraid but can calmly face his foes. He gives generously to those in need. His deeds will never be forgotten. He shall have influence and honor. Evil-minded men will be infuriated when they see all this; they will gnash their teeth in anger and slink away, their hopes thwarted.”

I propose Psalm 112 be the Trekker’s Psalm! I want to be that man, trekker! No shifting sand for me. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. Yes, the blue print for life is the Scripture. It is God’s designed plan and story for all time – order and grace – in His good time and measure for us all.

Blessed to be a trekker,

Your friend, Jim Meredith