The Blog of Pastor Mike Wilkins
In The Long Run
"The long run" referred to in the title of this blog is, in the first place, the many years Mike Wilkins served as West London's solo pastor, and then its Senior Pastor, since he and his wife Deb moved to London (and this church) in 1984.
In these past few years (beginning November 2011,) Mike's various health challenges, particularly a serious and ongoing case of cancer, has added another layer to the "long run" metaphor, and lots to blog about. Mike is currently on an extended Sick Leave, but generally worships with the church family on Sunday mornings.
With the publication of a book he wrote in 2016 entitled "Glory in the Face" (now available electronically and in paperback from Amazon.ca, and other online venders), Mike has just launched a new website, which will serve as a sort of scrapbook for readers of the book, with relevant background photos, for example, of That Last Final Solo Canoe Trip in May, 2011, as well as additional information about the book, and--coming soon--a new set of blog posts, mostly about the peace of God and the joy of the Lord and the face of Christ and the strength to face anything. You'll find the new website now at www.gloryintheface.com.
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Many years ago, when it was my great ambition to become a Professor of English Renaissance Literature, and to lecture at some charming Canadian university (with leather patches on the elbows of my corduroy jacket, of course), my Three Dead Men (that is, my three non-living role models) were John Milton, John Donne and George Herbert: to me, the Christian good guys in the world of English Renaissance poetry.
And so it was, that as I woke up on the second day at home since being discharged from the hospital, I remembered this favourite sonnet of mine, written by Milton about his inability to serve the Lord as he intended to, because of loss of his eye-sight. With apologies to all those who actually hate poetry.
When I consider how my light is spent
E're half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one Talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my Soul more bent
To serve therewith my Master, and present
My true account, lest he, returning, chide.
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
I fondly ask. But patience to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts. Who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly! Thousands at his bidding speed
And post o're land and ocean without rest.
They also serve who only stand and wait."All of which is to say that I am already really looking forward to getting back to work, preaching and teaching the gospel of our living and glorious Lord Jesus Christ (Merry Christmas to you all, by the way!) -- and that I am very clear on the gnarly truth that, for me just now, my service to the Lord is to "stand and wait." Well, actually to lie around and wait, which I will now get back to! But let me, before signing off, say "Thanks so much for all the love and concern expressed to Deb and me. We feel the love and the prayers and your faith in the great God we serve."
