Jesus described a situation that included an intangible and impenetrable distance.  “And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us” (Luke 16:26).  He did so to make an effective point.

Still, it is good to develop the confidence that not all gulfs and distances are un-crossable.

If you have thoughtfully stood on the seashore and stared across the seemingly unending plain of marine colored water, you know how separated the shores of the world may seem.  In ages of the past the distance seemed impossible for all but a few adventurers.  In the present, crossing those great and distant gulfs is common and is done with little thought.  So, as we imagine and consider great gulfs, it might be good to remember that in many cases, distance is relative to personal perception. 

Many parents have had the experience of putting a child in a car to begin a journey with some level of acceptance by the child.  Before long that child may want to know, “How much farther.” How can it be explained that the trip has a distance and a bit of time yet to go?  No matter what answer is given to the child, the distance will seem to be too far.

Maybe even the distance life may appear, at times, to be like the crossing of a great gulf.  Perhaps, the lyrics of the song by the Los Lonely Boys fits into our pondering.  “I’ve been locked up way too long in this crazy world. How far is Heaven? And I just keep on prayin’ Lord, and just keep on livin’.  How far is Heaven?  Yeah, Lord, can you tell me? How far is Heaven?”

The primary way that we view separation is by relating it in terms of geographic distance.  We may even tend to describe how far we are from another person by using terms of recognized segments of time and travel.  For example, a relative’s home is often stated in how long it takes to drive there from a personal place.  It might be said, “Mom lives across town, about thirty minutes from me.”

There are also those special times in which distance may be considered by less mechanical means, and more by emotional/intellectual distances.  There was a scene from the old television show, M*A*S*H, in which two of the characters, Hawkeye and Winchester, discussed their relationships with their fathers.  It may not be the exact quote, but it went something like this: Winchester said, “Where you have a dad, I have a father.  You are close to your dad even though you are thousands of miles apart.  My father and I have been thousands of miles apart when we were in the same room.”  He might well have said that there was a great gulf between his father and him. 

In the non-geographic gulfs, a lot of societies have recognizably great gulfs or distances between the various and determined groups.  Race, gender, education, money, profession, and any number of real and arbitrarily determined divisions create the opportunity to separate.  Many of the divisional gulfs may never be fully crossed by all.  Yes, there will always be those who fearfully stand on distant shores.  At the same time, we may find that even the greatest gulfs may be crossed by the bold, and those who care enough to try.  For thousands of years, people of adventure have boldly sought to go to places that they believe “no man has gone before”.  Where would we be if there had been no desire to reach across, and even find the way to shores beyond the known horizon?  Transfer that bold, desirous, and caring spirit to those gulfs or distances that are more measured by the heart than by the geographic distance.  Again, it may be too simplistic to simply challenge us all to just “get along”.  Even so, it is a place to start.

The greatest gulfs really are the ones we find between the hearts of people.  Those gulfs, though not as tangible as the ones in physical designations, are yet very real in effect.  Even more, the greatest courage may be found in those who dare to cross those gulfs.  For therein such a pursuit, we are exposed as truly open and vulnerable.  At the same time, we cannot ignore the benefits found in such a crossing of that gulf.  It is almost beyond description to know the result of building a bond that blesses. 

Why not cross the great human gulfs and make a better life for all?

Russell L. Dyer

July 22, 2024

It’s Just a Backyard!

It may be just a backyard, but for those who claim ownership if it, it is often much more.

On a recent morning, I was sitting at the table and finishing my daily morning readings.  I had read some pages from the Bible, in the latter part of the book of Numbers.  That section is not the most riveting portion of scripture, but it is where my reading took me. When I finished my scripture reading, I grazed through the online version of daily newspaper, finishing with the comics.  It has been my common routine for quite some time.  It is also a solo act. 

Lost in my thoughts, I was pondering the status of life and all the apparent challenges to be addressed.  About that time, the words of Brian Wilson’s internal song slid across the crevices of my wandering brain. Perhaps those words relate to many of us in the pressured events of our lives.  Consider his words.  “There’s a world where I can go and tell my secrets to: In my room – In my room. In this world I lock out all my worries and my fears. In my room – In my room. Do my dreaming and my scheming; Lie awake and pray; Do my crying and my sighing; Laugh at yesterday.  Now it’s dark and I’m alone but I won’t be afraid; In my room.” 

Perhaps, I too was looking for a place to escape. For, when all the reading was done for the morning, my attention was taken from the table activities to the out of doors.

It was a beautiful morning.  The sun was rising higher in the sky.  The temperature was warm and comfortable, as it often is in the late spring.  It was the kind of day that draws just about anyone out of the house.

I passed through the back door, crossed the covered patio, and stood amid the green grass of our moderately large back yard.  In that moment, I reflected on the present day as well as the more than thirty years of history that have transformed the nature of our backyard.  I was awash with memories.  Both of our daughters had their weddings in that yard.  More than two hundred people gathered for each of the ceremonies.  We had worked, played, cooked, and simply lived in that yard.

As I paused for a few moments to absorb the nature around me, I couldn’t help but notice the amazing array of springtime colors that filled our vista.  Flower beds line the perimeter of most of the yard, and each is packed with an eclectic display of style, type, and color.  Along with the plant life, there are also several unique objects to add character to the display.  Bicycles, rocking chairs, old doors, a wind spinner, an old gate, and a variety of small characters can be seen scattered through the various areas.  Each area is backed by a standard, six-foot, wooden fence.

Enclosed by that fence, a commonly described “privacy fence”, that backyard is something of an island; separated from the rest of the world.  While filled with memories of family, friends, and various events that island is a place of peace, as the outside cares and troubles are far removed.   

In my thinking, Brian Wilson may have had his room, but I had my backyard island.  As stated, I was feeling a bit burdened.  That backyard island was the respite that I needed.  There would be time enough to return to the rest of my world.  Perhaps that return with a refreshed spirit would find that the perceived burdens would not seem to be quite so heavy. 

Maybe we all need an island.  Maybe it is a well decorated backyard, a private room, a safe space, or simply a person of trust.  Whatever, whomever, or wherever it may be, may it be the place that is answers the needs.

One of my favorite passages of scripture reminds me that we do have a place to go. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).  I see a parallel.  I hope you do too.

Yes, it is just a backyard, but what a place to go!

Russell L. Dyer

July 1, 2024