Remembering

It was not exactly a blast from the past, but it was a name from the past.  I had not heard or thought of the name in forever.  But, there it was once again calling forth memories from another time so long ago.  In those years between being called to preach and sitting in a seminary classroom, I was given a book entitled "You Can Preach!" by Dr. G. Ray Jordan. His name recently showed up on another of his books which made its way to my shelves.  By the time I made it to seminary, he had retired and died, but he will always be remembered with much appreciation as my first preaching professor.  

There are so many folks who have a hand in shaping our spiritual journey.  Dwight L. Moody remembered a Sunday School teacher and I suspect that many a teacher has labored tirelessly without ever being aware of the influence for Christ that was given to so many.  Charles Spurgeon came to Christ under the preaching of a layman who was filling in one snowy Sunday morning for the absent preacher.  While many of us may have some preacher who made an influence in our life, it is likely that there are more lay people who pushed us forward than we could ever count.   

I never saw G. Ray Jordan, but he was as important in my preaching ministry as the professors I would sit under in the classroom.  I wish I could thank him, my high school English and Lit teacher, the leaders of some Lay Witness Missions, and a baseball coach.  When we start looking back, we are amazed and humbled by the people who invested their lives in us enabling us to walk the way of Jesus.  Perhaps, those from our past who are beyond the sound of our voice can best be thanked as we live in such a way as to make a difference for Christ in the lives of others around us.