Yesterday I had the privilege of bringing the invocation for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors. Before I came to the podium they introduced me. “The Rev. Dr. Danny Jack is senior pastor of First Chinese Baptist Church. He has sat on the Human Rights Commission, the Mental Health Task Force, was recognized by the California State Legislators for his grass roots response to critical needs in Fresno County…” The list went on and on and I started thinking, “I have been doing this work way too long.”

Which was when I flashed on something Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) said hundreds of years ago. “Remember that you have only one soul; that you have only one death to die; that you have only one life, which is short and has to be lived by you alone; and that there is only one glory, which is eternal. if you do this, there will be many things about which you care nothing.”

Then I heard, “Please rise for the Rev. Dr. Danny Jack as he brings the invocation.” Just think one day we will probably here very similar words in eternity. But…instead of a grandiose bio I pray that each of us will hear our name and then the words, “Please come forward good and faithful servant.”

Dear God direct us on the path and do not let us get distracted by anything along the way. Amen.