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Una dosis de humildad... A dose of humility...

9/1/2017

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​“No hay fin de hacer muchos libros” (Eclesiastés 12:12)

Hace unos años, fui a comer al centro de Portland, OR con mi yerno. De ahí, caminamos a la Librería Powell’s (libros nuevos y usados), que se dice la más grande en el país. Se toma un mapa en la entrada, es de cuatro pisos, muchedumbre sabatina de turistas (como yo). ¿Por dónde comenzar? Un lugar fascinante. Les compré dos cuadernos (diarios) bonitos a las nietas y un recuerdo. Había más de cien personas en la fila para pagar, pero en diez minutos salimos a la calle.

Además, tuve suerte con el recuerdo: “Passing Through” (The Later Poems New and Selected) por Stanley Kunitz. Estoy atorado en, "¿Qué de la Noche?", en parte porque creo que este poema, sí, lo entendí y en parte porque me quedé impactado. ¿Quién escribe así? ¿Cómo llegas a eso?

Mi fascinación con toda la experiencia se convirtió en, "me rindo". ¿Qué puedo escribir que no se haya escrito? ¿Qué puedo decir que no se haya dicho un millón de veces en un millón de maneras mejores? Salomón dijo que no habría fin de hacer libros. ¡Cómo le atinó!

Pero luego dijo: “El fin de todo el discurso oído es éste: Teme a Dios, y guarda sus mandamientos; porque esto es el todo del hombre.” (Ec. 12:13)

Sí, el ciclo de la vida es repetitivo, no hay nada nuevo debajo del sol. Aun así, a cada generación le toca comunicar a la siguiente, por precepto y por ejemplo.

A lo que tengo que volver es esto: por pequeña que sea mi esfera de influencia, es muy mía. Hay un conjunto particular de personas en mi vida por el que soy responsable... familia, iglesia, amistades, conocidos y otros a quienes les toque mi vida.

Resulta que el callarme y esconder mi luz se convierte en pecado. Quiero que los que me conozcan encuentren su camino de regreso a Dios, que lo aprendan a amar y que le sirvan. Habladas o escritas, mis palabras deben tener un impacto.

Así que, sigo luchando, hablando, escribiendo… 

​“Of making many books there is no end” (Ecclesiastes 12:12)

A few years ago, I went to lunch in downtown Portland with my son-in-law. From there we walked over to Powell's Bookstore (new and used books), purported to be the largest of its kind in the country. Take a map at the door, four stories, Saturday crowd of tourists (like me). Where to start? Fascinating place. I bought two pretty journals for my granddaughters and a souvenir. There were over a hundred people in line to pay, but we were back on the street in ten minutes.

Plus, I got lucky with the souvenir: “Passing Through” (The Later Poems New and Selected) by  Stanley Kunitz. I'm stuck on "What of the Night?", partly because I think I understood this one, partly because it blew me away. Who writes like this? How do you get there?

My fascination with the whole experience turned into, "I give up". What can I write that has not been written? What can I say that has not been said a million times before in a million better ways? Solomon said there would be no end of making books. Man, he got that right!

But then he said this: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.” (Ec. 12:13)

Yes, the cycle of life is repetitive, nothing new under the sun. Yet each generation is compelled to communicate to the next, by example and by precept. 

What I have to come back to is this: however small I deem my sphere of influence, it is very much mine. There is a particular set of people in my life for which I am responsible... family, church, friends, acquaintances and others whom I may not know but will be touched by me.

This is where keeping quiet and hiding my light becomes sinful. I want those who know me to find their way back to God, to love Him, to serve Him. Whether spoken or written, my words should have an impact.

Thus, I keep striving, talking, writing.

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    Greg Smith

    Greg grew up in Menomonee Falls, WI. His ministry began in 1976: 5 years in Central America, 36 in Mexico. His passion is church planting and discipleship.
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    Greg enjoys being married to Carol Ahola-Smith. Both have been missionaries (Japan and Mexico); both watched their first spouses precede them in death.
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    Together, they have a heart for writing, mentoring and teaching.  They enjoy long walks and good coffee.

    CAROL'S BLOG
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