Road Warriors: Amos—A Message of Justice - Tuesday
1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (NIV)
As a boy, in the summertime we often visited my Aunt Joyce and Uncle Orville on their little farm in Troy, Ohio, worlds apart from our cookie-cutter brick home in south Louisville. Those visits profoundly shaped me… fishing in my uncle’s pond, exploring nearby woods, drinking refreshing water from the hand-pump well out back. Sometimes I “helped” feed the livestock, and I remember the farm dogs barking directions to the cows as they headed out to pasture. For me, the little things were big things… like Aunt Joyce letting me help her churn butter, or riding in the back of my uncle’s old Chevy pickup. And did I mention food? Every meal was culinary heaven!
Some of my fondest memories are of our after-supper discussions. Uncle Orville seemed to appreciate my inquisitive mind and let me join the men who sat in cane chairs on the back porch. It was a perk that included all the sweet tea one could drink! Talks often centered around things like crops, politics, current events and world crises. I absorbed their wisdom, though most of them had scant formal education. I thought, “One of these men should be President!” And long before it was ever a topic for discussion, I thought the same about my Aunt Joyce who, next to my wife, was the finest woman I’ve ever met.
We've been thinking about Amos this week, himself just a small town farmer who lived on a little ridge out in the boonies called Tekoa. He talked about justice, and loving our neighbor, and treating everyone with respect. “Back porch” stuff up in Troy, Ohio. He also talked about love and grace… just like Orville and Joyce lived. To many people, they (like Amos) were insignificant folks in the grand scheme of things, but to me, they were king and queen of the world—their world, a good world… a world that forever changed my life.
Amos railed about hypocrisy sometimes and warned people to “walk their talk.” I’ve always liked him for that. And it makes me think that he’s certainly met Orville and Joyce in Heaven. Three peas in the same pod. I can’t wait to join them.
Tuesday’s Reflection
Here are four verses to ponder: Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 3:1-2, Deuteronomy 4:40, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. Enjoy!
