Justin March leads the Bethany Lutheran Church Men’s Ministry and sends a weekly email message to the Men’s group every week.  Justin has generously permitted us to post his weekly reflections here.

“I’ve got one more song
to write. And I’ve got one more bridge to burn. I’ve got one more endless
night. One more lesson to be learned. One more hill to climb. And it’s
somewhere in my mind. I’ll know it when it’s right. I’ve got one more song to
write.” 

-Willie Nelson….”One
More Song to Write”

 Is it becoming more
difficult to understand what your daily mission is? Does the sun set, and you
realize that the day was spent working, watching television, or surfing the
internet? In these times of isolation, locked doors, and limited contact, I
find my daily answers to these questions to be yes more than no. I often end my
day thinking all I did was work, all I did was watch television, or all I did
was finish my chores. Some of this is important and must be done, but none of
it makes me feel good when my head hits the pillow at night.

2020 has made it easy
for us to waste our days. If you need proof, just look at the companies that
are doing well in this pandemic. Netflix, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have
taken full advantage of offering services that keep us home. Many delivery services
have thrived as they offer to eradicate our fears of “going out”. Gaming
companies, internet services, and television subscriptions have skyrocketed as
the days get long and the shut-ins continue. If you can offer something that
keeps the public home, you have probably had a successful year.

All of this was on my
mind this week as I struggled to fulfill my mission. I have wondered how much
longer we can keep the men’s group engaged, how much longer virtual church
service will be effective, and how much longer my family can stay sane during
these changes in school and work. I know God has a plan for each and every one
of us, but I have to admit, it has become difficult to understand what this
plan truly is in these troubling times.

But, just as God does
when we least expect it, he sent me a message as I was getting ready Saturday
morning. As I was showering and getting cleaned up for the day, I had my
I-tunes library on shuffle, and this Willie Nelson song came on. I listened to
the words closely, and the message came to me loud and clear! Yes, I still have
“One more song to write”, and it cannot be done by wasting these days!

I have one more hug to
give. I have one more meal to be delivered. I have one more Zoom meeting to
organize. I have one more Bible verse to read. I have one more phone call to
make. I have one more loved one to stand behind. I have one more story to tell.
I have one more retreat to lead. I have one more email to send. I have one more
smile to share. I have one more soul to save.

You see, God is still
calling us to fulfill our missions. The call may be different now, but the call
is still there. He is still asking us to do so many things, and His call may be
more important now than ever. He knows many are lost, many are suffering, and
many need to find their way to a relationship with Jesus. And He knows that our
light is what is needed to bring them closer to Him. So, watch for His signs.
Listen to what He is telling you to do. Then, go out and accomplish whatever it
is that is being asked.

We all have “One more
song to write.” This week, I pray that you wake up each morning, ask God what
needs to be done, and do what you can to accomplish His daily missions. I pray
that you find joy in helping others, experience His creation with wild abandon,
and share His messages of love and grace with others. And I pray that when the
day ends, you feel whole, fulfilled, and thankful for having the opportunity to
do something meaningful. You have “One more song to write”. Will today be the
day you write it?