From This River

Two weeks ago I was above 7000 feet in the mountains of Glorieta, New Mexico. Last week I was near sea level in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Being in the Valley was “déjà vu all over again” for me. Forty years ago this month, having graduated from seminary and resigned at the small church where I was pastor, my wife and I set up housekeeping in the this same Valley to work along this same river, primarily as the Baptist Campus Minister at Pan American University (now, the University of Texas at Pan American). In one of my first days in the Valley, I came across Psalm 72:8, “From the River to the ends of the earth.” I know the Psalmist was likely referring to the Euphrates River and most definitely not referring to the Rio Grande River, but the verse lodged in my brain. Looking back, I have been in fifty-four countries and will visit at least three new countries this coming summer. God, who took me to the river, forty years ago, and then allowed me to go annually to the mountains for refreshment, has taken me to the “ends of the earth.” I’ve seen the high places and the low places – geographically, emotionally, financially and spiritually – of this earth, all because I’ve tried to be a faithful follower. I recommend “following” to you this week.