Many people influence us and affect our lives as we move from infancy to old age
June 25, 2007 (Monday) – One of the greatest sermons I ever heard was preached by Browning Ware at a Baptist convention. It was based upon the idea that his life was like the Rio Grande River, which starts out in the mountains of Colorado, and is fed by tributaries as it makes its way through New Mexico eventually becoming the border between Mexico and the United States. It flows toward the Gulf of Mexico. After a while its flow becomes much stronger and larger as other streams and rivers give up their identities and become a part of the mighty Rio Grande.
In his sermon, Dr. Ware named some of the people who had contributed to his life through the years, making the point that his life was enriched and strengthened by those who had helped him along the way, in the same way that a river like the Rio Grande becomes the “Mighty Rio Grande” because other rivers flow into it.
I would like to do that in this “blog,” but I wouldn’t know where to start. Virtually every person I have met along the way has made some kind of contribution to my life. I have learned from them in many ways. I have been influenced by them, encouraged by them, and aided by them. At times, that aid came at great sacrifice to the generous and kind hearted people who helped me. I shall always be indebted to those who saw something in me that was worth saving. I’m thankful for those who have loved me, prayed for me, taught me, inspired me, influenced me, laughed with me, cried with me, rejoiced with me, and grieved with me, all the while blessing me and strengthening me.
One thing is certain: I would never have been able to preach or pastor a church had it not been for all the people who believed in me and stood by me. Like the rivers that give themselves to the Rio Grande, they (you) have poured themselves into the ministry for which I have been accountable. I want to mention a few of those without whom I would never have been able to become a pastor. I will do that from time to time in the coming days. In so doing, I will have to leave out literally hundreds of people who have had a definite impact upon my beliefs, commitment to the Lord, and willingness to serve. I would so love to be able to write an article about every one of them (you). I will be able only to write of a tiny percentage of those to whom I owe so much. Thank you — each and every one of you — for being you and blessing me.