A few days in new york
I am gazing out of my twenty-seventh-floor hotel window at the skyline. Just across the street and about ten floors down stands an older renovated building with a rooftop garden. Below that, there’s yet another splash of green among the hues of caramel, brown, and black-clad skyscrapers. Walls of glass rise to the sky like glittering diamonds reflecting the sun when it’s out, which is not today. On this day, clouds shroud the sun, and the gray blanket creates a very different atmosphere in the city.
From this height, the only signs of Gotham's hustle and bustle are the cacophony of car horns, jackhammers, and an occasional loud truck. However, twenty-seven floors down, the sidewalks are packed with people from all over the world rushing to get somewhere – who knows where. If you live in this metropolis, many New Yorkers maintain reasonably good health since you will walk long distances nearly every day. I thoroughly enjoy walking the streets of New York, except when it is raining, which puts a real damper on your day.
Depending on the metrics one uses, Gotham is the most ethnically diverse city on earth. I have no idea how many languages I’ve heard in the past two days, but it reminds me that we Americans are far from alone on the green planet. One would have more trouble discerning that truth in Hampden Township, Pennsylvania, sometimes not so affectionately called “the white shore.” It is healthy to go places and meet people from different cultures; it keeps one from embracing a counterproductive, myopic worldview. Two distinguished gentlemen joined me on the elevator this morning, voicing that distinctive British accent I love. It’s good to know we made up with the Brits years ago.
I trekked to the city this week to celebrate the 75th anniversary of an organization with whom I’ve partnered many years – The Orchard Group Church Planting. It was wonderful to chat with many old friends and colleagues as we viewed the East River and the lights of the Manhattan Bridge illuminate the night sky. The city is a delightful wonder at night.
I served on the Orchard Board of Directors for many years and several oversight teams for new church plants. I’ve been traveling to Ireland for nearly nine years, still serving in this capacity. A few months ago, I had the pleasure of watching my good friend, Long Islander Bert, ask his now fiancé to marry him while visiting the Cliffs of Moher. It was a touching site to behold.
Working alongside folks in this fine organization was an honor and joy. I’ve enjoyed working with numerous organizations that have planted thousands of churches across our planet. I still take advantage of every opportunity to participate in their soul-changing ministries.
Orchard was once localized in the New York metropolitan area, but as the years progressed, we began planting new churches in urban areas throughout the world. Serving on this board also allowed me to partner with another ministry as a board member. This group started new churches in Japan, one of the most challenging places in the world to initiate a church. Men and women who do this work are bold and innovative.
My longtime friend, Paige, from the Denver area, took the opportunity to explore the 9/11 Memorial and Museum a few blocks from where we were staying. As I observed artifacts, audio messages, and photographs of the terrible, cowardly acts of hatred, it was difficult to grasp that this event happened nearly twenty-two years ago. I remember preparing for my Tuesday small group gathering while watching the Today Show, which was a staple for me at the time. Matt Lauer and Katie Couric interrupted their program to deliver the devastating news. Within minutes we watched in horror as the first plane struck the North Tower. I’d visited that location many times and often purchased discount Broadway tickets in the vast lobby on the first floor. It wasn’t long until the south tower exploded in flames from the deliberate crash of another fuel-filled passenger jet. Tears streamed down my face that morning, and I canceled our group meeting. Tears once again flowed freely at various points in the museum. I suggest you take the opportunity to visit this place sometime in your life.
Evil people motivated by hatred and the love of violence have and will always exist on our fallen planet, but everything changes when their vile acts hit near home. Yet, acts of bravery, kindness, compassion, and good-willed determination by everyday people like the ones who tried to retake Flight 93 thwart and eclipse vile acts of depraved perpetrators. Perhaps the disgusting actions of a handful of terrorists will never be forgotten, but neither should the millions of noble deeds performed by those who refused to allow evil to win the day.
Every time we offer a simple act of kindness, present a donation to alleviate some injustice or malady, respond to evil with goodness, encourage the downhearted, and check our own evil impulses – light wins. Darkness is nothing more than the absence of light, and even a tiny lit match can be seen in a dark arena. Never underestimate your power to make the world better, safer, and kinder.
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (King Jesus recorded in Matthew 25:31-40 NIV)
“14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Jesus’s words from the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5”14-16 NIV)
What will you do today to make the world a better place?
Live Inspired!
Don Mark
