Whenever Ed, my neighbour next door, asks me "What did you do this week?" I know we are heading for turbulent waters. Sure, it may seem like an innocent question, but it always holds some dynamite in it. Last week, Ed and Ruby were off to Regina for a day at the Ford World Men's Curling Championship. They were glued to television coverage of the event the rest of the time.
One thing about Ed, if he likes something he takes it as a personal insult if you aren't interested in it also. I sensed his question, "What did you do this week?" would be followed with, "Even you must have watched the curling!" I could truthfully answer with, "It was on the television when I was waiting for an oil change at the car dealership."
"What did you see?" Ed demanded.
"Well, Canada was playing France," I answered. "I didn't see much of it, as I was reading the magazines on the table also."
"There is no hope for you!" Ed commented in pure disgust. "Do you know they say more than 100,000 fans watched the curling this week? And you read a fool magazine when curling was on in front of you. You ought to smarten up and live in the real world," Ed added as he blew off steam.
"I do know that Team Canada won the gold against Team Scotland." I also told Ed, "I believe you that the fans that saw the curling championship were thrilled and pleased. I hope it is the first of many victories for Team Canada and skip Jeff Stoughton."
Ed had to get the final word in. "You need to pay attention to what is going on and take advantage of what is happening."
"You mean like you do when it comes to attending church?" I asked Ed.
"I have no idea what you are getting at," answered Ed.
"Well, on any given Sunday, people have the opportunity to be part of the Championship of Church Attendance. If we add all the numbers of people who get to church in Saskatchewan on a Sunday it may be more than 100,000 and across Canada several million. Many are thrilled to be at church. When we cheer for Team Canada, it is their victory, their championship won or loss. At church, it is a personal victory of faith in God over the agony of the defeat of sin and death. You need to pay attention to what is going on and take advantage of what is happening," I said.
"I have an interest in curling, but not in church. I'm sure God doesn't want me there either," answered Ed honestly.
"Would you say that you have no interest in God?" I asked Ed.
"Sure I believe in God - most everyone does. You don't have to be in church to worship him," replied Ed.
"Did you worship God when you were at the curling event?" I inquired of Ed.
"Not really," Ed said.
"Could it be that God said, 'observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy,' so that we could become more focused on Him one day a week, until we can do it every day?" I asked Ed.
"Who knows or cares?" replied Ed.
"Only those who are trying to love God with all their heart, soul and mind and their neighbour as themselves," I answered, getting my final word in.
