INTERIM PASTOR'S PONDERINGS: (Message 33 - posted (9/28/04)

PONDERINGS:

On one of our trips this summer, we spent two days of it on Prince Edward Island, Canada. This was our fourth trip there, our first having been many years ago when some of our children were small. At that time part of the “romance” of the trip was crossing from Cape Tormentine, New Brunswick to Borden, Prince Edward Island. Several years ago Canada built a magnificent bridge called “Confederation Bridge” which takes one across the 13-15 miles [I’m sure there is an exact figure, I thought I measured 13 miles but others say it’s longer] of water separating New Brunswick from Prince Edward Island.
As you leave the bridge in Borden you are greeted with a very large welcome center/gift stores village. Depending on which direction you choose to go in, you are now on an enchanted island. As far as the eye can see, red soil; neatly manicured lawns; large dairy and/or potato farms; small fishing villages; nicely appointed motels and restaurants; many signs which advertise the popular lobster suppers which are often operated by churches. It is generally a place where all cares slide away as you are caught up in the idyllic settings surrounding you.
Charlottetown, the island’s largest city is known as the seat of confederation in Canada, and there are other historic spots as well, but generally the island is known as ANNE’S ISLAND and this mythical character is probably the main attraction for many to Prince Edward Island.
Anne Shirley is the fictitious creation of an author born and brought up on Prince Edward Island named Lucy Maud Montgomery. Some believe perhaps that Anne of Green Gables depicts the life of the author but there are marked differences.
We usually stay in the Cavendish area, twice including this year, at the Anne Shirley Motel. Directly across the road is the cemetery [well marked] where Lucy Maud Montgomery, her husband, and several other family members are buried. Just down the road is the famous Green Gables House where Anne Shirley [in the books] was brought up. Just up the road is the home where Lucy Maud Montgomery lived for a time with an aunt and uncle. Further away in New London is another home and tourist attraction where Lucy Maud Montgomery lived. There is always an Anne of Green Gables play going on in Charlottetown. Raspberry cordial which played a central part in one of the Anne of Green Gable stories is a popular drink on the island.
I realize I’m sounding like a tourist guide but if you haven’t visited Prince Edward Island, you should. The Anne of Green Gable books were really children’s books but they have captured the imaginations of adults alike including the writer of this article.
There is a point in all of this and it is this. The writing of these books by Lucy Maud Montgomery and their mythical subject [Anne Shirley] has captured the imaginations of millions of people through the years and much of the business of Prince Edward Island is tourist business which is generated by the interest in Anne of Green Gables.
There is another Book which we love dearly which tells us of the greatest Person that ever lived, Jesus Christ. He is not a mythical character, He is real. He was and is not a figure in the mind of a human author. He is the very God of the universe, the Creator of all that has been created, the only Savior from sin.
His disciples number in the untold millions and are scattered over the continents of the world and they are out of every race, tribe, and nation.
My pondering is not to ridicule Mrs. Montgomery or the story of Anne Shirley because I think highly of her stories, but my ponderings cause me to ask myself, have we [believers in Jesus Christ] scattered all over the world, made Jesus known as well as we should? Anyone stepping on Prince Edward Island knows very soon it is Anne’s Island. Do those who step into your home, into your business, into your town, know this is Jesus’ town etc.?
Perhaps you take issue with my comparison. That is all right. I’ll admit that perhaps the comparisons are not well taken. However, the great commission of our Lord is “Go ye therefore, and teaching all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” I wonder in comparison with the fame of Anne Shirley, a fictitious person, not only on Prince Edward Island but in many other places, how well have we done in obedience to Christ’s command on making Him known?
Think about it and visit Prince Edward Island as you have opportunity.

In Christ……..Rev. Harold W. Carpenter Interim Pastor