“Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15
Driving home from a short visit with my Grandma and Mom, who make their home north of Charlotte, I found myself on a dirt road in Moore County (see above photo). It had been a cool morning, with a heavy frost greeting the early risers, and after a full breakfast with good fellowship around the table, I headed back to Fayetteville per Google Maps’ directions.
Thunder Road is appropriately named, for this dirt road is the kind that causes you to take your foot off the gas so that your suspension is not worn out by the washboard texture of the roadway. I kept looking out my window, taking in the trees, the changing colors, and lamenting how by many leaves had fallen. And then I felt the need to stop and just be still. Perhaps it was the rough road, and wanting a break from the bouncing around my body was enduring. Perhaps it was wanting to do something spontaneous for a change. Perhaps it was a nudging of the Holy Spirit to turn off the engine, get out of the car, and soak in the peace of that moment.
As I did, I realized the shadows around me from the trees towering above me. The bright sunlight poked in between the limbs, half-covered with leaves. The stillness of the area surrounding me.
A moment to just be.
Then, I began to reflect on All Saints Day and the impacts of those pastors who have poured into me throughout my journey. Rev. Stan Wilson, who poured the waters of baptism over me. Rev. Tom Taylor poured into me during my adolescence, showing me what holiness of heart and mind was all about through his witness. Rev. Michael Hobbs poured an abundance of grace over me as I discerned a call into ministry. Rev. Wallace Kirby poured so much valuable wisdom into me during my seminary studies and student pastorate.
Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness, Joshua said. All of these pastors lived and modeled these words in their lives and ministry. These pastors were not afraid to speak the truth. They were not afraid to pull back the curtain on their own struggles and showed me the value of being vulnerable. They taught me the importance of spiritual disciplines and practices that helped shape and form my own holy habits. How thankful I am for the intersections created by God for these saints to come alongside me. These saints challenged, encouraged, and loved me through the seasons of life we shared.
And for all the saints who continue to pour into me, I lift thanksgivings to God, for we are all surrounded by living saints who serve God in sincerity and faithfulness. We call people saints because they exemplify the Christian life.
Saints stand ready to hold us accountable to holy living. Saints pray for us when we most need it. Saints laugh with us in our joys. Saints cry with us in our sorrows. Saints journey with us as disciples of Jesus Christ in the world today.
For all the saints,
who revere the Lord,
and serve him
in sincerity
and faithfulness,
we give thanks.
Blessings, 
David