Thursday, September 22, 2016

Five Points that Carry Us by Scott Scrimshaw


Friends,

There is much we carry in our hearts, minds and spirits as we run this race before us. We are running a race of significance. Of endurance. We feel the sweat, the breath in our lungs and the burn in our legs. The Mountain top is worth the effort.

This is where we turn to one another, trust in our leadership, our relationships and take the next steps together. To do in fellowship what we have all been entrusted to do individually. The pace can be frenetic, the cost high and the soul tried. The spirit is simultaneously wearied and buoyed. Wearied by the size of the task, the attacks and yet buoyed by the goodness of our purpose.

There is a food in doing good. There is a lift that comes from hope. We gain an inner sustenance by doing that which is Universally recognized as good. A resolute optimism comes by engaging in efforts our forefathers stood for and which people have sought after throughout the World and throughout History. I am a Christian Chaplain and so I speak to you from the Scriptures I know and love:

"Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” - John 4:31-38

1) We have been sent to accomplish work.

2) The timing is now.

3) We have fields ripe for harvest.

4) The harvest is a result of many laborers.

5) Though it is labor it is a shared, joyful work and we are where we are today because of what others have done before us.

To be sure there is a spiritual nature to what Jesus was revealing but whether or not you embrace Christ as I have or do not - when we work together with these 5 Points in mind we work in a way that unifies, lifts up and sustains us individually and corporately. We are not alone in our efforts. This is fitting as we are no longer looked upon as a curiosity or an afterthought. Johnson-Weld is a genuine threat to the powers that be and the fight is on.

The obstruction we have faced before in our efforts is now melded with outright attacks and distortions. Do not take these personally. Do not give these things room to beat you down or distract you. They do not matter. We have something of real substance. Do not focus on the right or left but keep squarely in step with each other. Trust that what you need will be there when you need it. Trust also the two at the top of this ticket.

We have a long distance endurance athlete and a grand master chess player working with a strategy in play by veteran strategist. We have proven leadership. Let us each support, encourage and bolster the steps of our Leadership and of our Brethren. We have a ticket worthy of respect. We have an endurance and a sustenance that comes from doing together what is good. So together let us fight this good fight, Let us run this race. I am thankful and grateful for each of you in this endeavor we are in. We will not go gently into that good night.

Blessings to all,

Scott Scrimshaw
Chaplain, Johnson Weld Faith Coalition
Hood River, Oregon