Haunting Memory
The memories are the only thing left of the 2015 World Alpine
Championships. During the 2 weeks of the competition our community was invaded
by the world with over 70 different countries from the typical ski nations of
Austria, Norway, and Sweden to the unusual such as Haiti and Israel.
The buzz in the air with languages from many different
countries and the festivities that took over 5 years to plan were exciting.
Free concerts both in Vail and Avon, with enhanced transportation throughout
the Valley and daily races made the events accessible to all.
The weather cooperated and was beautiful with mainly blue
sky days and milder temperatures.
With all of the hoopla around town, my favorite part was of
course the people. The very young to the very old and everyone in between were
my targets. From the child with ice cream coated face, to the young kid who
purposely came up and thanked me for volunteering, to the man who had been
around since the beginning of Vail all added flair and interest to my quest for
meeting people.
However there was one person who captivated my attention and
has continued to haunt me. He was a former businessman who had spent almost 20
years working for the same company, but was laid off and God has now placed him
in the Nashville music scene, playing in bars which has given him an unusual
outlet for sharing the message of salvation.
It’s not his story that disturbs me, but one particular
sentence that he said to me—“As beautiful as this place is, I sense a darkness
in the people here.” He continued by saying that the looks on the faces revealed
to him that there were many people who were spiritually lost.
The interesting thing is that it didn’t take him very long
to see that truth. Most people who come to this area come for their own selfish
pleasure and not because God has directed them here. And about 90% will never
enter the doors of an organized church service.
What can I do to help dispel the darkness that seems so
overwhelming? Well first of all I can’t do anything, but God can. And I can be
a willing vessel allowing Him to shine in my life in my little area.
Online different sources say that the human eye can detect
the flame of a candle over one mile away. So the way I figure it, if I let my
little light shine brightly for the Lord, some people in this dark place will
see it and want to know more about it. So, this little light of mine, I’m gonna
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine…..
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the
light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the
light of life.”
www.hearthope.org
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