1983 GMA Retreat

by Joyce Sullivan

One beautiful, warm summer day three very important men walked together. These were extraordinary men, because no one could see them; yet, they were very much like you and me. Their names were Mr. Past, Mr. Present, and Mr. Future. This is why they were like you and me, they represented three things that we all have.

As they walked, they admired a beautiful rainbow gracing the sky. While looking at the rainbow they began to compare its beauty with the many unsightly areas of as the world around them. They began to discuss the world and its problems.

First, they tried to decide just what the problem was. Whatever it was it was causing much distress and disorder in the world. As they talked, Mr. Future felt that he had come up with the answer. He was a confidant man and very sure of himself in many ways. "As I look at that rainbow," Said Mr. Future, "I believe it is the lack of faith among the people. Just think about it; we wouldn't be looking at that rainbow if Noah had not exercised his great faith in God from the beginning.

Glenn Clark, author of The Path of faith, says that faith is what people use to reach out and hold to realities. He explains the spiritual level of faith as faith that can be used only to bless and build up all--one's friends and enemies alike.

"The only way to prove a thing," said Mr. Future, "is to bet your life on it. If the people of the world would have enough faith in God, themselves, and their fellowmen to bet their lives that certain things could be done, they wouldn't have the problems they have. Faith is not needed to create things; it is merely necessary to lift the mist and help us see what has already been created in God's universe. What a wonderful thing is faith! It sees where human eyes cannot see and hears what human ears cannot hear."

Have you exercised faith recently? Everyone exercises different types of faith from birth up. But let's talk about spiritual faith that matures. Many of you put your faith in God and accepted Jesus, His Son, as your Savior. Now what? After that, have you let this faith grow so that you can uplift others? Tonight as we prepare to present our Maidens, Ladies-in-Waiting, and Ladies, we know that each one of these girls had a measure of faith in order to attain the goal of completing her steps. She also had parents, teachers, counselors, and friends who believed in her and had faith that she could go forward on that step.

Song (about faith)

Mr. Present and Mr. Past listened attentively as Mr. Future gave his view of the world problem. Mr. Present had another idea about the problem that they were discussing. "I realize that people must have faith," said Mr. Present, "and I believe most people do have a good amount of it. Otherwise, we couldn't have made the progress we've made in our world today. But, when I look at the rainbow, I see an even greater problem that people have today. I believe the people of the world lack hope. Did you ever see a pessimistic daydreamer? Unless the seed of hope- expectation, anticipation- is strong and clear, the urge of the daydreamer is dead.

Noah had to have faith to begin, but think of the years of his labor. How far would he have gone without hope? Where would the Christian today be without hope?

When people lack hope, their minds are so closed or tightly rutted that they will not admit even the possibility of things happening in a different way from what they have known. Not only is hope dead, but the spring of life is gone also. If people were willing to admit and recognize the possibility of things occurring which they have not thought possible, in ways which they have not thought possible, to people whom they have considered hopeless, they would receive results that would seem incredible.

Do you have that kind of hope? If you've trusted Christ as your Savior, you have hope for the future. But are you experiencing the hope that Christ alone has given you for everyday living? Have there been people or circumstances that you have considered hopeless? Christians should never display an attitude of hopelessness. Our girls who will be presented, as Princesses and Queens had to exercise hope in order to reach this step. They also had parents, teachers, counselors, and friends who never considered them as a hopeless situation, but rather continued to encourage and support them.

Song (about Hope)

Mr. Future and Mr. Present had both brought out some good points concerning the world problems, but neither had completely satisfied themselves or Mr. Past. Mr. Future and Mr. Present respected Mr. Past because of his age and experience. He had been there much longer than either of them and had observed the actions of people for many years. More than likely he would have the best answer to the problem of the world.

"What you two have said is true," said Mr. Past. "People do need more faith and hope, and looking at the rainbow certainly brings this to mind. I can clearly see faith at the beginning and hope in the middle; but when we come to the end of the rainbow, we see the real solution to all the problems in the world. The thing that is missing in the hearts of men is the love of God. Noah exercised faith while building the ark; he experienced hope during the time spent waiting for the waters to recede; but surely he experienced the love of God at the end of the journey.

People must have faith in God and hope in God. Along with these, they need to accept the love of God and let Him work the powers of faith and hope in them. In Paul E. Johnson's book, Christian Love, he divides love into three categories. First, there is God's love for man. Throughout the Word of God we are presented the picture of God as a loving Father. The parables of the prodigal son, the lost sheep, and the Good Samaritan stress God's love. The love of God for His chosen people as revealed in the history and covenant of the Old Testament becomes a new covenant in the mission of Jesus to redeem all people by His unfailing divine love.

The second category is man's love for God. Jesus places love for God above all other obligations. To love God means to serve Him in faithful devotion. This sort of love would bring about wonderful results of work done by faith and hope.

A third category is man's love for man. "Love thy neighbor as thyself" is the second great commandment, which Jesus joins with the first duty of loving God. Paul wrote in I Corinthians that whatever we may have to do accomplishes nothing without love. Love of God is demonstrated in love of brothers, otherwise, God is not truly loved.

"Yes," said Mr. Past, "love is what is lacking in the world today. The strange thing is that love is actually everywhere around us every day in the blessings all enjoy. Yet, it is not where it will do the most good--in people's hearts."

Truly we do see love at the end of the rainbow. We realize that without the love of God and the love of our church and families these young ladies would not have been able to reach their goals. These girls are now ready to face a beginning of bigger and greater areas of service in the work of the Lord.

Song (about love or a rainbow)