A Norvell Note
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A Norvell Note
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This Week's Article
A NORVELL NOTE
Vol. 3 No. 32 August 7, 2000
A Thirty Year Reunion
As with any reunion the gathering of older friends for our 30th high school reunion opened a floodgate of memories and gave us an opportunity to reconnect after a long period of disconnection. Thirty years seems like such a long time, yet seeing those people erased the years and the changes that have taken place in our lives (and in our bodies), and we were once again seventeen or eighteen years old and ready to conquer the world as we made the memories that we now were sharing at our reunion. As we gathered to get reacquainted we found ourselves struggling to place a name with the face that looked familiar, but not quite familiar enough. Small groups huddled in an effort to help each other remember those in other small groups across the way that were huddled looking back at us doing the same thing.
I saw people I had not seen in thirty years. Some looked very much like they did thirty years ago, and some did not. I saw people I had not thought of in thirty years, and I am pretty sure they had not thought of me in that time same time span. I saw people I had classes with, played ball with, and people I learned about life with. I visited with the wife and mother of two grown children who was the first girl I ever called my "girlfriend." I visited with the successful businessman and father of six one who journeyed with me through the growing up years that I find remarkably similar to the "The Wonder Years." We reminisced about the church we once attended, and the music we enjoyed and paths our lives have taken us. I saw the first girl I ever dated. I spoke with the man who reminded me that we were opponents in the last fight either of us ever had. We laughed at how foolish it seems now, yet how serious it was then.
It was a time to remember how life was back then. It was a time to forget about aging process and the pain that is produced by thirty years of living. Yet, it was a powerful reminder of the aging process and the pain that is produced by thirty years of living. It was a time to reflect on the progress we have made, and the dreams we still had of changing the world. It was time of sharing what we have learned in thirty years about what is really important to us. There were some who shared regrets, there were some who shared their success, and there were some, who as they were thirty years ago, seemed afraid to share much of anything.
I suppose the goal, and perhaps the value, of a thirty-year high school reunion is ultimately found in what was shared. Not so much the words that are exchanged, or the pictures that are taken, or even the "good old days" that are remembered, but in the fact that for a few short hours we remembered that there was time when dreams were clear, energy was high, and hope was not just the name of our town. Who knows, maybe by our being together some of that hope was revived in a heart that had grown weary, and some joy was restored to a soul that been emptied, and some fire was rekindled in a spirit that has grown cold.
I'm thankful for the men and women who will forever be known as "The Class of 1970." In a time when our world was turning dark you helped me to look for the light and to try to be a reflection of that light. And, now thirty years later you have helped me remember that life is good, that joy is real, and hope is alive. I think that's why I came. I think that's why we are here. I think that is the beauty and the blessing of friends.
I'm grateful for all who have shared the journey,
Tom
["A Norvell Note" is a weekly email message from Tom Norvell. Feel free to pass it onto friends, ignore it, and ask me to remove you from the list, or simply find some meaningful thought to enhance your day. If you know someone who would enjoy receiving "A Norvell Note" on a regular basis, please send me their email address, and I will add the names to the list. Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy it. ©Copyright 2000 "A Norvell Note" Website: http://hometown.aol.com/tnorvell/myhomepage/index.html]
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Last Week's Article
A NORVELL NOTE
Vol. 3 No. 31 July 31, 2000
Nothing Will Hinder the Gospel
In a section of scripture where Paul is discussing the rights and freedoms that we are entitled to as followers of Jesus Christ, after he has names certain rights that he could demand if he so desired, he says this: "But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ" (1 Corinthians 9:12, NIV). Eugene Peterson words it this way: "Others demand plenty from you in these ways. Don't we who have never demanded deserve even more? But we're not going to start demanding now what we've always had a perfect right to. Our decision all along has been to put up with anything rather than to get in the way or detract from the Message of Christ" (The Message).
Paul's purpose in stating what he could do if he wanted to and what he chose to restrain from, was to emphasize the reason for his choice. He did not want to do "anything" that might hinder the gospel. One of the themes of the letter to the Corinthian church is that we as members of the Body of Christ are to work for the good of the Body instead of only what is good for us. Paul would later state it this way, "Everything is permissible"---but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"---but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of the others" (1 Corinthians 10:23-24, NIV).
What difference would it make if we adopted the philosophy of doing nothing that might hinder the gospel?
What difference would it make in our homes if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?
What difference would it make in our schools if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?
What difference would it make in our neighborhood if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?
What difference would it make in our work place if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?
What difference would it make in our recreation if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?
What difference would it make in our relationships if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?
What difference would it make in our marriages if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?
What difference would it make in our relationship with our children if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?
What difference would it make in our planning if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?
What difference would it make in our attitude toward strangers if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?
What difference would it make in our churches if we were determined to do nothing that might hinder the gospel?
If we could commit to doing nothing that might hinder the gospel more lives would be touched, more hearts would be changed, more souls would be drawn to the Lord, more growth would take place, and more would be won for the kingdom.
All that could happen if we simply said, "I will do nothing that might hinder the gospel."
Let's do it and see what happens!
Enjoy sharing the gospel,
Tom
["A Norvell Note" is a weekly email message from Tom Norvell. Feel free to pass it onto friends, ignore it, and ask me to remove you from the list, or simply find some meaningful thought to enhance your day. If you know someone who would enjoy receiving "A Norvell Note" on a regular basis, please send me their email address, and I will add the names to the list. Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy it. ©Copyright 2000 "A Norvell Note" Website: http://hometown.aol.com/tnorvell/myhomepage/index.html]
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