Three Things I Learned

Three THINGS I LEARNED By Fred Wurtzel “. . .First pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy—you’re in good hands.” Proverbs 1:29-33 The mission of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Lansing, Michigan is to recognize all people as children of God. In serving Jesus Christ as our Savior, we will proclaim, teach, and witness to the loving grace of God. As you all know, last week we lost a friend. Roger Wilson now sits with all those who have gone ahead to Heaven. I am cautioned not to judge, but I will take a risk on this one: Roger is definitely in Heaven. These days in our media and around in most places, people may be heard talking or shouting or lecturing about what it means to be a patriot, a citizen or a neighbor. Mostly, I turn around and head the other way when I hear such dogma or puffery or blathering nonsense. When I heard Roger Wilson talk I listened. First, I listened because he had a most compelling voice. What a voice he had. It was a voice suitable for the stage or screen. Once Roger got my attention with his voice, he kept my attention by his words. He sometimes proclaimed the rules of the road to live by and these words were worth listening to. I found his values compelling and instructive. It was not these words that caused me to think or reconsider my thoughts or ideas; it was his stories. Anyone can recite a rule or tell another how they should live. Such things are often even worth listening to. I really think that a person’s stories really reach our hearts. Roger’s stories could fill many pages, possibly volumes. Among the many messages of wisdom that I received from Roger are the following: 1. Love God and proclaim and witness this love to the world. 2. Don’t feel ashamed of showing your emotions, especially when talking about the Lord. 3. Love the life god has given us and include everyone in this celebration, including friends, family and strangers. Really, these are all the same lesson about embracing God’s love and freely sharing it. Roger would engage strangers and bring them into his life through humor: even if they weren’t expecting it: especially if they weren’t expecting it. Roger enjoyed God ‘S gifts in the form of eggs, sausage and gravy. He loved to share these gifts with others and explain the ecstasy of these indulgences. Roger’s stories of his family life would make a wonderful sit-com. It would be one of those heart-warming and hilarious programs where funny things happen and the end of every episode would be filled with love. What I learned from Roger was how to be a God-loving person who loves life and is very comfortable witnessing through open, uninhibited and genuine unpretentiousness. Roger, I will miss you and I will smile often when I think of you. Beyond my awareness of these valuable ideas was the feeling of our collective experience as a congregation. The sounds, feelings and demonstrations of love that took place within the walls of our humble church last week drove home the reason we “congregate” as Christians. I never tire of relearning the importance of every person whom God has allowed me to meet and get to know. Our congregation is God’s family growing, sharing and living out His will on earth as in Heaven.