I say it often from a stage, “Show me a man who thinks he is in control of even ONE thing in his life, and I’ll show you an utterly deceived man! Anything can happen to anyone on any given day. We the created being are far more dependent on our Creator than I believe we will ever be able to comprehend in this lifetime.” Are you breathing? Obviously you are; you’re reading my article! Did you do anything to cause your last breath, or do you have a plan in place for the five-hundredth breath you’ll take today? Without question, the answer is NO!
My mother was a formal southern lady. However, she was no dainty Southern Belle. She was instead a little four-foot-nothing powerhouse whom you dared not cross; her size, or six-foot-four, she’d put you in your place in a heartbeat if you crossed her - mostly she didn’t stand for behavior that gave the appearance of wrong or ungodliness. Lol! My mother LOVED the God who created her and thought folks should do right all the time. Although she was no culinary powerhouse, one of the things she did well was desserts. Though they were time consuming to create, my mother’s cream puffs (pate a choux filled with custard), vanilla or chocolate were my favorite. As many of you have read in previous articles, my childhood was a bit challenging due to my father’s abandonment. In spite of hard times on every level, and a very limited income, I cannot tell you the number of times at ten in the evening my mother and I would start a batch of cream puffs – just because. She knew I loved them, and in the circumstances of that day, we both found comfort in doing something with and for each other – even something as simple as making cream puffs.
Perhaps this all sounds a bit trite, but friend, may I encourage you. Don’t wait for a special occasion to set the table with Fine China! As a man of faith, let me make the connection. Psalm 139 tells us that God has the number of our personal days already marked on His calendar. Matthew 25 reminds that no man knows the hour nor the day of Christ’s return, so be ready. Since March of 2020 life has been crazy! From watching individuals I’ve known (even family) die from this China Virus to individuals who in every way appeared to be the picture of health dropping stone-cold-dead unexpectedly, friends, the idea of “putting off until tomorrow” has taken on a louder, more haunting echo in my heart and mind. Add to this urgency over living, knowing today could be my last, the reality that not everyone lives with Hope, being a light EVERY day in this very dark and troubled world has begun to scream with urgency – an URGENCY in bold capital letters with LOTS of exclamation points!!!!! Today may be the last opportunity I have to truly make a difference – for Kingdom’s cause. The Apostle Paul reminded Roman believers that the feet of those who carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ and good things were considered beautiful feet. Well, I wouldn’t consider my feet beautiful, but from a spiritual perspective, may I tell you I don’t want to show up in Christ’s presence with lesser feet. . .
July 29, 2021, we’ll be adding to the Front Line family of outreach with a weekly podcast from the road – Front Line Focus . . .with B R. Weekly, in a LIVE format, and then later posted on a podcast player for future listening, I’ll be sharing a word of encouragement, hope, and inspiration – God-stories from life. If you’re not following our ministry from the road currently, find Front Line Travel with BroRo on FaceBook, YouTube, etc. Currently, you can view the four-month pilot of our video travel magazine by the same name on YouTube. That actual series begins in September. Join us at noon CST, again, July 29th on Facebook for our first LIVE podcast – Front Line Focus . . . with B R. Of course, please continue to read this monthly op-ed, On the Front Line . . . with Brother Royce. Today may be the last day I’m suckin’ and blowin’ wind. Tomorrow you may be walkin’ slow and singin’ soft, ‘cause I’m in a box down at the Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home. Until then, I’m not waiting! We’re eatin’ cream puffs and usin’ the nice dishes whenever we feel like. . . and wherever, whenever, and by whatever means are appropriate and available, we’re being salt and light, with THE message of eternal hope.
Blessings,
Brother Royce I Cor. 9:16
