A long time ago, in a state far from here,
I felt the need to own something that would be mine
A stereo player for my records – 45, 33 1/3, 78.
Do you know? A kid must have his own!
Kingston Trio. Glen Campbell. Eddy Arnold. Jim Reeves.
My Gospel albums were simply “the most.”
I could check out my favorite tunes from church,
Or even the Library, or borrow from others.
In the midst, there was a song that spoke to me.
You may think it peculiar, but it was the guitar
That spoke the loudest… It looked somewhat like my dad’s
And I wanted to play like this performer.
Johnny Rivers. Secret Agent Man.
Alas, I never had the confidence to sing or the talent to play,
But there was something about this performance
It drew me to the music department of KMart. $45 later?
I’m the proud owner of my stereo player!
That machine, Dad’s guitar, and a voice not defined,
Gave me the dream that perhaps, someday, perhaps.
But I realize something very important much later on.
That Bug Didn’t Bite Hard Enough.
When the bug bites and the itch gets started,
You will do anything to scratch the itch!
Being the “renaissance” person I am,
There were many itches to scratch!
Collecting trinkets and valuables, from coins to cigarette lighters,
Adding the latest banana seat and high-rise handlebars!
Reading and storing my favorite books to re-read someday.
When there are a lot of bugs and itches to scratch, your focus dilutes.
Through the years, I’ve let my bug bites be what brings value.
Travel, family, memories, blog posts, and a lot of “stuff.”
Along the way, I added something very important,
And if you have known me for any length of time – you’ll know.
I want to be a friend, lover of Christ, enjoying the journey
That will take me to my longed-for destination.
Yes, this world is not my home. I’m just a passin’ through!
The last song I sang with my dad.
This bug bite leads me to the end,
And every step along the way is important
Gauged by how every activity comforts the pace
To get me from “here” to “there.”
Along the way, the bites do change.
My focus becomes clearer and my destination more sure.
I adjust my world to support what’s most important
To ensure I’m aiming for the right spot and not the wrong.
What does your bug bite say about you?
Where’s your focus, and are you fulfilling the desire to go or do?
If it’s not about the things of this world, then surely you too
Have a place you’re headed for, and nothing here will dissuade.
Romans 6:1-14 NKJV
What shall we say then?
Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
Certainly not!
How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
Or do you not know that as many of us
as were baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into His death?
Therefore we were buried with Him
through baptism into death,
that just as Christ was raised from the dead
by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death,
certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him,
that the body of sin might be done away with,
that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
For he who has died has been freed from sin.
Now if we died with Christ,
we believe that we shall also live with Him,
knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.
Death no longer has dominion over Him.
For the death that He died,
He died to sin once for all;
but the life that He lives,
He lives to God.
Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin,
but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body,
that you should obey it in its lusts.
And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin,
but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead,
and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
For sin shall not have dominion over you,
for you are not under law but under grace.