Doug Van Pelt

Chapter 2

Rees Howells Intercessor continues on in the biography of young Rees' life. His ambition was strong, and this young man from Wales was determined to move to America to make money -- lots more than his peers in Wales would make in half the time.

Before he left for America, he heard a sermon at church (a service he arrived late to and stood in the vestibule, listening) that would change his life. The minister was reading out of Hebrews 12:

"Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses..."

"These witnesses," he said, "are the men of faith mentioned in the previous chapter and we ought to realize they are around us; we know they are real, because Moses and Elijah spoke to the Savior on the Mount of Transfiguration, and the disciples saw them." The minister then said straight out, just as if he knew Rees was listening, "Young man, you may be leaving home, you may be going to a place where your parents will not see you; but remember, the cloud of witnesses and God will see you."

I am resonating with this, because this passage has a similar effect on me -- I believe it to be true. This is a great motivator for me sometimes, because I share the same Holy Spirit that helped and empowered those heroes of the faith. As an ambitious young man (relatively young, haha) myself, I, too, want to be a hero. That common dream of being Superman or maybe a fireman or heroic soldier -- these daydreams that little boys have still remain in me somewhere. I would cry and weep tears of gratitude and have goosebumps of joy at the thought of somehow being used of God in a great world-changing way (knowing that "changing the world" for one person is huge, just like transforming a nation is huge). I digress, but I think it would be so cool to hear the shouts of these witnesses say, "You go, girl!" Well, I wouldn't want to be called a girl, but maybe one of my sisters in the faith will hear such an encouragement. I think of that encouraging vibe from these "witnesses," as opposed to some spying gig, waiting for me to trip up. It does motivate me in a preventative way, though; as it makes me consider that no "secret sins" are really secret. Even though I wouldn't lose the love of my Father in heaven, nor His favor, disappointing Him or even those witnesses would be sad. If that's what it takes to keep me from stealing or commiting some other "secret sin" that I might be able to "get away with" on earth, I am all for it. Living rightly is a blessing, both before, during, and after the "right living" stuff. Having a clean conscious is a blessing.

One by-product of "right living," though, can be the deceptive notion that things are cool with me and God. This was a problem that faced Rees Howells. He was "the best young man in the congregation," according to his minister. But when Rees' cousin, Evan Lewis, challenged him with the question of, "Are you born again," it haunted him. He fought it for a long time, always ending in fruitless arguments with his cousin, but he eventually found that God was "on his trail," like the "gracious Hound of Heaven...'with unhurrying chase, the unperturbed pace,' with 'those strong feet that followed, followed after.'"

The plight of the righteous man can be that he becomes self-righteous or righteous in his own eyes, without ever being truly pardoned by the Only One Who can cleanse man from his sinful DNA. Knowing the little that I know about Howells' life, I think the question of, "Does he become born again?" isn't too mysterious to figure out.

xxx

I went to a rock show last night, which was a special treat. I never do this, but I grabbed an Austin Chronicle (Austin's entertainment guide paper, which is political, cultural, etc, and given away at many local venues and restaurants) and brought it to the table as I ate with my family. On my way in to the restaurant, Cafe Serranos, my youngest daughter said, "The last time we came here was the saddest day of my life, because it was right after you flipped your car." I believe we'd visited there once since last May, but it was true, after crawling out from the wreckage, talking to EMS workers and police and the other driver, I got in my wife's car and we continued on in our journey to eat out. Anyway (I digress again), I was flipping through the club/venue ad section to see what shows were coming. Mute Math has two shows (an early 6pm and a "late" 10pm show at Stubb's on May 5. Eisley has a headlining show at La Zona Rosa the same night. We plan on taking in the early and the Eisley show, which should be fun. Then I glanced over the Antone's ad and saw Slave to the System. I couldn't believe it. This wasn't even supposed to be a "real" (touring) band! But they had a show that same day for only $6. I told my wife, "I have to go to this." Come to find out that the band isn't "real," but they can tour every once in a while and put out an album every so often, too. So this show was really a special treat.

Posted by Doug Van Pelt at April 24, 2006 10:32 AM