Elder Wisdom by Vicki

Seglora Church in Skansen, Sweden

This beautiful little wooden church, Seglora Church, dates back to 1730 and is located in Skansen, Sweden. It’s probably very similar to a church my Swedish ancestors would have attended. It was abandoned when a new stone church was built in 1903, but has become one of Sweden’s most popular churches for weddings and concerts. When my husband, Bob, and I visited Sweden in July of 2007, we toured this interesting structure and were fascinated by a rod hanging on the wall of the porch. When we inquired about it, we were told that the rod was used for waking parishioners who fell asleep during the sermon. Although amusing, I thought about a more serious meaning.

In one of Paul’s letters to the Romans, he reviewed some of the commandments concluding with, “Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers: Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light”. (Romans 13:10 - 12) The New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible. In The People’s New Testament Commentary by Eugene Boring and Fred Craddock, it explains Paul’s perspective on the importance of being awake and living like Christ. “The end of history is pictured as the return of Christ which Paul believed to be near”. (1 Cor. 15 20-24)

My thoughts are that as Christians, it’s imperative that we stay awake. We must live in the light of our beliefs, not in the darkness, and follow Jesus Christ’s example of a faithful life and belief in God. I am reminded of our song, “They will know we are Christians by our Love”. If we live with love, as Jesus taught, we will be ready and prepared for whatever comes our way. With devotion and commitment to our faith we will stay, “Awake for Jesus”.