The journey is not possible without the contribution of others.
It’s quite a remarkable thing to have so much support from people who have been dead for years. Recordings and writings as well as the legacy left in the lives of others, it is a great help to have that handy to assist in the journey.
It is important, though, to honour and celebrate those who are still alive who help in the journey. Tributes to people when they die always leave the feeling as to whether that individual was aware of their effect while they lived.
I blog today because a friend of mine at university – Charles Bury – had a travel blog. I read everything that he shared on that blog about his travels and was amazed that he had an online portal to share his reflections. As someone who loved words for the longest time, I had not seen the possibility of having an opportunity to express. Charles showed the way and I am grateful for that.
I blog on issues to do with faith and life for His Name’s sake thanks to a number of people. Alan Knox, Arthur Sido and Eric Carpenter were bloggers who wrote about faith, the church and Jesus in ways that I found captivating. They were not big-name bloggers in the Christian world and they didn’t need to be. They were faithful and diligent writers whose works stimulated and challenged in equal measure.
I also blog on those issues because of Ritson Shields. He mentored me for years and has been a presence in my life for over two decades. Such a great example to me by allowing me to see his life on the inside and showing why it is so important to have Jesus at the centre of it all. There are plenty of words I can offer about so much, but to focus it all on what I would endeavour to do for His Name’s sake is down to his example and friendship.
I blog today because of the Living Hope Fellowship and the Orchard, two groups of believers who form the basis on which I do life in community. Saints who intentionally love me and lead me to seek God all the more to be faithful and fruitful in what He calls me to do. Eden, Kelvin, Maggie, Keith, Barbara, Denise, Kevin, Bev, Pauline, Fray, Shanice and of course my wife for life Authrine. These people and more ensure that my blogging is not in vain and is not done out of theory but mired in the beauty of reality in Christ.
As we honour those who live for their contribution, it’s not to massage egos or to make others big-headed. This is an act of gratitude. This is an act of humility. This states clearly how much we depend on others to be faithful to their call on the journey. This is our act of thanks to God for showing in the physical how He does guide and shape us through others. This is also an act to encourage others to live up to their calling. It is for others to see that they too have a significant contribution to make for others to progress.
It is because we recognise how others contribute that it’s good to pay tribute. And pay that tribute while they are still alive to receive it.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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