What Counts

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Monday, June 18, 2018

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.  It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not.  What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.  May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.  Galatians 6:14-16^(NLT)

The pictures are separated by a mere 60 years or so, but they’re the same people – a few more wrinkles, but still hanging together.  Had he hung around just a little longer, my dad, Elwood Frederick Brownworth would have been 100 today.

Now, a hundred years is a milestone not many make, but it is less than a static blip on the screen of eternity.  Truth be told, it goes by quickly.  Perhaps the apostle Paul, an old man writing from prison, understood it so well, he never wanted to dwell on incidentals; he wanted to shout out to those he loved to center their lives on what counts.  For Paul, what counted was the transformation of an old creature into a new creation; all the rest was busy time or window dressing. 

Paul had been the young man who was ferociously dedicated to making sure everyone dotted their theological i’s, and crossed their doctrinal t’s.  He persecuted those who went against the ancient Jewish traditions.  He wasn’t expecting it, but on one of his persecution expeditions he met Jesus, and the blinding transformation was so complete, the apostle in training never looked back.

My father was born into a nominally religious Roman Catholic family in 1918; they attended Easter and Christmas services “religiously”.  But, in the late 1930’s he met Cecilia Emilie Schmidt, an aspiring Baptist missionary, and his world was never the same.  She was a seriously committed follower of Jesus, and that got his attention.  Ceal didn’t like Slim at first, but it wasn’t long before God’s plan took over; Slim gave his heart to Jesus, and, like Paul, never looked back.  

They were married in September, 1942 and my big brother, Thom, arrived in July the next year.  Russell showed up nearly four years later.  A few years later the young couple managed to get a no-money-down, finish-it-yourself 4-room, escape from the city house.  They lived and served Christ there the next four decades. 

I’m certain I could write several thousand pages about life lessons learned in the home of Cecilia and Elwood Brownworth.  Many of those lessons have already found their way into these devotional morning musings. 

And that is proof of just how powerful is this witness of Christ when lived in front of your children.  They learn what you live, and I was privy all my growing-up years to a front row seat of that kind of commitment.  It’s what Apostle Paul said counts.  

So, happy birthday in Heaven, Dad, my father, friend, brother, and co-laborer in Christ.  One hundred years is only a drop in the bucket compared to the ocean of God’s eternity.  We’re going to have plenty of time to explore it all someday soon.  

Save me a good seat at the table.  

For You Today  

If you grew up in a home like the one I was privileged to enjoy, take a few moments to thank the Lord for His extreme generosity.  Whatever your training ground, God knew what was needed in your life.  The question is:  are you majoring in what counts for the generation that’s coming behind, and watching you?

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day. 

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[1] Title Image:  Russell Brownworth photos