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Lectures Leftovers
David probably said it best. On Thursday morning, he stumbled out of bed and into the living room where I was reading the paper. "I’m glad and I’m not glad that it’s the last day of lectures." Me too. My mind and my body were already running on fumes. But my spirit was wishing that we could just keep going.
The 34th Southside Lectures have come and gone. But what a wonderful purpose they served while they were here. Each program stands alone and has its own special memories attached to it. The comment I heard over and over about this one is how different the speakers were from one another. But collectively, they formed a powerful combination that allowed us to see Jesus as He is pictured on the pages of God’s word. That means that this week will continue to live on in our work as His disciples.
Being at the church building the day after lectures always reminds me of leftovers. The sign out by the street advertises an event that has passed. The banners are still hanging. The brochures remain in the literature stands. All reminders of a journey we took together. What are we left with the week after?
We are left with a people who made time to be here. We say every year that the Southside Lectures are first and foremost for the Southside people. From that standpoint, they were a huge success. Some took vacation days to be away from the office. Others rearranged their work schedules to accommodate the morning sessions. In these and so many other ways, it was obvious that most of our members were here as much as they possibly could be. We can’t make people come that we’ve invited. We can’t control the visitors from other churches. But we can make certain we are here. And for the most part, we did.
We are left with seeds planted in the hearts of those we invited. Everyone was challenged to invite at least four people to the lectures. I was privileged and proud to meet some that brought with you. They were able to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. They were given the opportunity to see Jesus. I pray that these seeds will be watered and brought to fruition. But even those who were given a brochure and did not come are plants in prospect. Who knows what might happen in the future that will cause their hearts to be more receptive? God does! Let’s not be discouraged but keep on sowing the seed of the kingdom of His Son.
We are left with eyes that have seen His glory. We saw Jesus as the King, the Lamb of God, the Light of the World, the Good Shepherd, and the Head of the Church. We heard the testimony from the eyewitnesses of His miracles. We listened to the inspired words of those who sat at His feet and listened to Him preach. We saw Him on the cross and back at the right hand of God on high. We began the week with the quote from John 12:21: "We would see Jesus." And we did.
Some people don’t like leftovers. But this kind will serve us far into the future. Until we stand face to face with Christ our Savior.
