A few insights from the 2010 Men’s Retreat at Bambi Lake (from Glenn Hmay)
#1. Don’t take your eyes off the road or you’ll end up in a ditch!
I had just pulled out of the driveway and began going down my street when I thought "Where’s my hat?" and I turned my head to look on the seat next to me for it. Before I knew it I was off the road hitting a mailbox, and going down into the shallow ditch before managing to correct my truck and get it back on the road. It took just a second of inattention and it led to near disaster. In the same way, just a glance away from Jesus toward anything else can lead to a spiritual wreck. (See for example, Peter’s experience walking on water.)
#1A. God watches over us.
When I went back and looked at the mailbox on Sunday I saw how close I came to hitting the mailbox post, 1 inch! My tire marks brushed the post, and I found the rubber bumper strip from my passenger side door in the snow. It was the only damage to my truck besides the corner of my side view mirror being broken.
#2. Even a little sin can eat your lunch.
After hitting the mailbox I drove back to my house, got my hat and drove to the church to meet my ride up to Bambi Lake. I could have stopped and said something to the mailbox owner, but I didn’t. I just had to make it to church to meet my ride! As it turned out I had to wait once I got there, so I COULD HAVE stopped, and repaired the mailbox, and still made it in time! All weekend I couldn’t stop thinking about what I had done. It distracted me spiritually, tied my gut up, and generally stole my joy. So don’t be like me, do the right thing! You will be much happier!
Note: I did go back and speak to the mailbox owner and repair the mailbox first thing after I got back.
It was such a relief.
#3. Every so often you have to have your windshield cleaned.
On the way up to Bambi the van’s windshield kept getting all smeary from road salt and such. The wipers were not very helpful either. I noticed on the way back home the windshield was clear all the way. I thought it was kind of like what had happened on the retreat. God had cleared our spiritual windshield, so we can better see the way.
#4. There are different kinds of walkers on the path.
I took a walk up to the prayer chapel when I got to Bambi Lake. I trudged through the snow following a set of footprints, trying to place my feet where the others were. When I got to the viewpoint where the chapel was there was someone else already there. I didn’t disturb him, and after a few minutes admiring the view I went back the way I had come walking in the same footprints. I thought at least anyone coming this way again will have an easier time of it.
That’s the way it is walking the Christian path. There are pioneers, those who go first and break a trail. Then there are followers who go after the pioneers and widen the path. Lastly there are the clearers who open the path for those who are not able to walk. What made me think of this last group was a man from one of the other churches who couldn’t walk that far. They took a 4X4 truck and drove up to the chapel.
Which one are you?
