God’s Preacher     

Many moons ago, I welded heavy steel for a living, helping construct the main beam for the M1000 tank trailer that was being built for the U.S. Military. 

As anyone can attest that has welded for a living, a man gets used to being burnt by welding splatter to the point that it becomes meaningless; it just becomes…well, a normal part of life. 

I reckon, the same could be said for many occupations, such as, working in the extremes of cold or heat. What may have seemed difficult and hard to bear at first becomes easier and more comfortable with repetition. 

But to be clear, there is also danger involved. 

One example is: I still possess a scar I received from being burnt some 35 years ago, and it was my own fault.  I was welding a long bead, when I felt my arm begin to burn. Not wanting to stop in the middle of the weld, I kept on, and bore the pain. When I finally got finished with my weld, I raised my helmet and found a small ball of hot steel about the size of a BB (then cooled) that had become wedged in the bend of my arm; it had burnt through layers of skin, and had to be removed with my knife.

No doubt, similar situations have happened with men who work out in the cold. Finally pushing it too far, and receiving frostbite as a result, possibly even amputation of fingers or toes. 

Yes, God placed a warning system within us, to alarm of danger to such extremes. And it should not be ignored.         

Ah, dear reader, there is another very important warning system – an early warning system which God also places within us. I am speaking of His Preacher, the conscience. 

Oh yes, I said that correctly. It was very common for men of old to call the conscience; “God’s Preacher.”

Beginning at an early age, when one sees, hears or does something that is against God, the conscience will begin to preach. Obviously, this preaching that our conscience does, is a very good thing. I think of it like a lighthouse casting its huge beacon to sailors at sea that are in danger of shipwreck. 

So, what would happen if sailors ignored that lighthouse beacon? And, so it is, when we ignore our conscience.

For as the example of the hot splatter from the welder – with repetition, sins against God sting less and less with time, until God’s Preacher, finally becomes silent. 

What if we profess Christianity?  Can our faith become shipwrecked from ignoring God’s Preacher?

“Some people have put conscience aside, and wrecked their faith as a consequence.” (1 Tim. 1:19, Jerusalem Bible) 

Sadly, just as I did to the pain from the welder, many then become hardened to sin, something the writer of Hebrews strongly warns against (Heb. 3:13).

I was recently visiting with a very ill elder friend in his home. He still lives on the old home place where he grew up, and in the same house. He is a rare sort, one of the last of the old-timers who still remember. 

Well, the two of us were talking, and we began discussing God’s Preacher. He shared with me the following: 

“Michael, when I was growing up, we were very poor, we didn’t even have electricity or running water. Well, when I was about 10 years old, I had a little friend who lived up the hill from us, and he asked if I could come and spend the night. Dad and Mom allowed it, so off I went. And, was I excited, because I had never done anything like that before!

“Well, his family had electricity, and come evening they all sat down around the television to watch an old western. It was one of them old, corny, black and white westerns. I can still remember it like it was yesterday.  Two of those cowboys drew their guns and began to shoot at one another! But, do you know what I did?  I had to turn away. My conscience wouldn’t allow me to watch it. I couldn’t believe such a thing was actually going to happen, those two men were going to kill one another!” 

Pausing, and pointing at me from across the room with his frail hand, my friend said in his slow Ozarks drawl, “Most people today would laugh at me for sharing this.” 

It was a solemn moment as we both sat silent. Yes, sadly, he is correct. Laugh they would, and laugh at a whole lot worse, for it has become so much worse. 

And why? 

Because people ignored God’s Preacher, and then each successive generation becomes more hardened than the previous. Until finally, any suggestion that what is happening is wrong, and in defiance of God’s grace, draws laughter…or even anger.

Well, we finished our visit, and I headed out the door.  That was just a few months ago. 

I am standing here today with my head down, hands in my coat pockets, remembering. Remembering all we discussed. 

             Of times long ago,

                        of times gone by.

             Of strong men and women,

                        and of snowbird pie.

             Of playing in the hayloft,

                       in a barn made of wood.

             Of shucking corn with Grandma,

                       so thankful that I could.

             When life was much more simple,

                       yes much more slow.

             When folks had respect,

                       for the man who said no.

             When children played with sticks,

                       and an old piece of rope.

             When Mother would bust your rear,

                       and wash your mouth with soap.

             When men sat quietly in a chair,

                       their head not buried in technology.

              When they stood firmly for the truth,

                        and made no apology.

             When pastors who warned of sin,

                       were considered a good teacher.

              When folks listened to their conscience,

                        yes, when folks listened to God’s Preacher.

Lord willing, until next time.

Michael Everett Jones is a Texas County native, old fashioned historian and purveyor of traditional Christian values. Email ozarksgrandpajones@gmail.com.