Through Danger and Toil

The day has come. Today is the last day of Jerry’s work with the city. For almost thirty years, as both an electrician and a parking meter technician, he has faithfully toiled to serve the people of Urbana.

Normal Street Backyard Pictures, Images and PhotosA Valentine’s day, 1990, ice storm injured his back, but it was the accident on July 7, 1992 that nearly electrocuted him.

It was a dangerous job, electrician. That day, he cut into a series streetlight wire that had been switched off. But, disrupted by lightening, the circuit was still carrying 6.6 amps. Five milliamps is enough to kill.

God, though, carried him through. After six months of recovery, he went back, soon shifting to working with non-lethal parking meters.

We’ve imagined this day. We’ve prepared for this day. We’ve hoped for today. We were not entirely sure it would ever come. Cancer might have ruptured our hope. Another accident could have stymied our dreams.

What are you waiting for? What day are you dreaming of? Like us, what you are waiting for may or may not arrive.

Unlike that great transition day of entering Jesus’ presence. If we are believers, that day is on its way. We can imagine that day. We can hope for that day. And, though we may endure much more danger and toil, that hope is sure.

Jesus, we thank you for hope.