One of the greatest things about the Portland, OR / Vancouver, WA metro area is the mass-transit system. Between the bus lines and light rail – you can pretty much get around town without having to drive a car! Pretty incredible. This is not to say that I don’t drive – I am simply saying I like the progressiveness of a city when it comes to mass transit.
On several occasions I have enjoyed catching the light rail train and riding it to sporting events either at the fabulous state of the art Rose Garden or at the timeless and historic PGE park. Nothing beats NOT having to pay to park in an undersized lot with an oversized car at a supersized price – especially when you are making memories with your family.
Back before I was a pastor I worked in downtown Portland. I was an accountant and I rode the bus every day. I would catch the bus at a park and ride near my house and get dropped off at the downtown bus mall. It was amazing to see the cacophony of buses with their hundreds of passengers migrating on and off at the various bus stops.
The images are permanently etched in mind. A sea of faceless people – most of them expressionless getting on and off – running to and fro in a sea of concrete and steel. Then like clockwork they would appear 8, 9, even 10 hours later for a return ride to the suburbs. I would often sit and watch in amazement – wondering about each person’s story. Most everyone kept to themselves – reading a paper, closing their eyes, or listening to their music. Rare was the person who would hold a conversation.
It wasn’t really very fun. You see – I am a people person – an accountant with a personality – a pastor trained in finance! I would look at these individuals and wonder (as they rode this bus) if they were on the same bus trip I was on. That bus trip (at least that is what I lovingly refer to it as) is a journey with Jesus and the Holy Spirit towards Christian Perfection.
What is Christian Perfection you ask? (Well at lease I am hoping you are asking!) It is simply a Christian term meaning sanctification, or perfect love, or simply a heart full of nothing else but a love for God! Christian Perfection is living out the greatest commandment – Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength!
This is a journey in our world. A journey from point A to point B. A journey where you decide to follow God and a journey that ends when you meet Jesus in Heaven because you constantly strove to live your life according to the greatest commandment! Quite simply it is a journey where you decide to get on the bus and never get off…
It is my hope that we all catch the bus in this world and never get off. Unfortunately, there are many people who never get on – and many more who get on – but turn around and get off a few stops down the road! It is easy to get on and off – but staying on is hard. It requires sacrifice. It requires dyeing to oneself. It requires picking up your cross and following Jesus. But it is so worth it!
So as you read this today – I hope you have caught that bus. If you haven’t it’s simple…just ask Jesus to let you on. Tell Him you want your sins forgiven and that you have a sincere desire to love the LORD with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Perhaps, you have done that in the past and have gotten lazy. You too can get back on! But no matter where you find yourself…let’s finish this bus ride together!
Until next time…
Pastor Barry
Pastor Barry's Blog 