Pastor’s Piece – April

Over 5 feet of snow was still on the ground at Hol-den Village during my recent visit. Walking over such snow can be problematic without snowshoes or skis, easily sinking down to past the knees – referred to as post-holing. Through the winter, as the snow depth builds up, packed paths develop avoiding going too near to buildings where the snow slides off the roofs (roof-alanches) creating even deeper piles.

Walking the paths can be a chal-lenge. Not only are there hills to climb and come down, the paths are not wide. Missing the packed portion becomes a post-hole. The surface can become very slippery when the surface softens in the warmth of sunlight, and then refreezes when the tempera-ture drops. And this is just walking, not to mention trying to carry something.

During one of my times traversing the path, I got to thinking about what happens to all that snow which won’t be there when I return to Holden this summer and we walk on the brick and gravel paths five feet below. In the next several weeks all that snow will melt, where will it go?

It occurred to me that I was walking over the fu-ture. I scoop up a handful and wonder where the water contained in the snow will go. I think of how it will become the water which nourishes the plants of the forest and the residents of that forest. It will join the water of the creek which flows into the lake providing a place for fish to dwell; the lake which serves like as a road for transportation; the lake which provides a source of recreation; the lake which provides water for irrigation for food crops; the lake which provides the water for the generating of electricity.

We follow the paths in our lives which lead us into the our future. These too can be challenging to follow. The question is, which path are we follow-ing? To what future will it lead?

We follow the paths in our lives which lead us into the our future. These too can be challenging to fol-low. The question is, which path are we follow-ing? To what future will it lead?

The prophet Jeremiah, writing to people in exile in Babylon, wrote: 11For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Just as the water of the snow sup-ports and sustains life, so, too, does the water of our baptism support and sustain our lives into the future to which we are being called. We are nourished by its promise, we are refreshed by the hope it brings.

But, I become concerned about the future when I hear more about “me” that “we.” In 1 Timothy it is says: 18They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, 19thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life. (1 Timothy 6:18-19 )

This is our future, living the life that really is life following the path of doing good and being generous. It is the word we can speak to and do for others.

It is a challenging path and easy to slip or miss the firm footing. It is good to know that Jesus and the saints have already gone ahead of us so that we may know the way. We do not walk this path alone. It is why we are the people of God together—to support and care for one an-other. And to that we say, “Thanks be to God.”

Pastor Ron Kempe