“When we read about someone doing the impossible, we start to believe the impossible is possible. When we read of passion and triumph and failure, we see that no one is perfect. We need to know that imperfect people can lead imperfect lives and still impact the world around them in powerful ways. That lets us in.”- Dick Foth
In Chapter 15 (“Learn as If You’ll Live Forever”) of A Trip around the Sun, Dick Foth observes that we learn from others in two ways. To get a firsthand account, you talk to people. But for a secondhand account, you read books about them. And Dick’s favorite genre of book? Biographies.
Certainly, Dick underscores, without question the world’s greatest biography tells the story of Jesus of Nazareth. In fact, the United States Library of Congress, which contains more than thirty-six million volumes, possesses more books about Jesus than any other person. Lincoln and Napoleon finish a distant second.
Above all, Dick stresses, we need to know that imperfect people who lead imperfect lives still possess the ability to impact the world in powerful ways. Consider the life of David Livingstone (1813-1873). A tough Scot, David achieved a monumental reach as an explorer, abolitionist, scientist, champion of trade, and proponent of Christian missions to central Africa.
However, Livingstone’s son, Robert, lived apart from his father for many years. After his mother died, Robert sailed for Africa, determined to find his father. But David had already left on his Zambezi River expedition. In addition, a letter Livingstone left for Robert forbid him to come any further.
Disheartened, Robert sailed for America. Once back, he enlisted in a New Hampshire regiment at the height of the Civil War. Most significantly, he signed up as Rupert Vincent. Wounded in battle, he died in a Confederate POW camp. He lies buried in a mass grave 3800 miles from his father.
In conclusion, Dick exhorts:
“When you read the [Bible], you learn about [Jesus] secondhand. When you meet Him firsthand? That is real knowledge (emphasis Dick’s).”
Today’s question: How do the imperfect lives of your Christian friends impact the world? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The right cloud formation?”
