Silver City

I love the pictures on John’s blog.  One of his latest trips has been through the Jordan Valley on the Idaho-Oregon southern border – to a place called Silver City.  I recently purchased a novel which took place in Silver City.  So, I was interested enough to spend sometime last night researching this area.  Ghost towns, mining and western tales – what more could one ask for!

One picture stays in my mind – the church of Silver City.  One of the lone derelicts of what was once been a thriving community.

Here, were hard working miners and their families.  Here, were enough people of a religious bent to build themselves a church.  That takes a commitment of time and resources; if like most church projects – more than just a little faith as well.

I found myself wondering if the pastors had been solid shepherds.  Did they lead their flocks faithfully?  What were the challenges these men faced?  Were they any different than what pastors face today?  How effective were they?  Where did they succeed?  What could we have learned from them?  What of their youth programs?

Yeah, I am always full of questions that maybe almost impossible to answer.  Yet, the church is one of the last buildings standing and remains cared for.  By whom?  Why?  Is the building still used as a church?

And what of any church, anywhere, standing today?  Will it still be standing 125 years from now?  Will any memory be found as to what the witness of that church was in their community?

And what of you?  What memory will be left behind when you are no longer among us?  Will your witness still be remembered?

Our goal is to be an impact on the world around us.  The people we interact with, the communities we live in, those we may never even meet – through the actions of missionaries we support or even through the internet.  What a humbling obligation we have been given – to be a seasoning in life to all around us.

Anyone feeling particularly salty today?