Benchmarks of faith are very important

If you have been reading my columns over there past several years, you know that I am a flatlander from Louisiana that has been blessed by moving to the Ozark Mountains.

As you travel west from Poplar Bluff, one of the first places that you come to in the Ozarks is Van Buren, home of Big Spring.

Big Spring is one of the largest flowing springs in the nation.

Its water is a majestic blue color. I am told it is caused by the dissolved limestone and other minerals coming up from underground. It is in contrast to the bright fluorescent green duckweed that is along the edges.

I could sit and listen to the sound of the water flowing all day if it was possible. I read somewhere that it flows 286,000 gallons per day.

But that is not what this article is about.

If you have ever been to Big Spring, you would notice that just past the wall overlooking the water coming out of the ground there is a brass medallion on the rock surface.

That brass medallion is a survey marker that was placed there many years ago. In surveying terms, it is called a benchmark.

A benchmark is a reference point that helps calculate something. It can be used as a starting point for a survey, with marks for elevation and location.

Benchmarks can also be used for personal assessment and growth.

As I was thinking about that benchmark recently on a visit, it reminded me of a question that I often ask “what are the benchmarks of a Christian’s Life?”

Most people would turn to the Bible and say that we should all follow the Ten Commandments given to us in the Old Testament.

You know them, not in any particular order. 1. You should have no other gods before me. 2. You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain. 3. You shall make no graven images. 4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. 5. Honor your father and your mother. 6. You shall not kill. 7. You shall not steal. 8. You shall not commit adultery. 9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s property.

Some would say that we should follow the Golden Rule given to us by Jesus. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Others would say those standards are too high for us as mere humans to always achieve.

What are some of the benchmarks that we should strive for in our daily witness of sharing the good news?

We should love one another.

We should think of others before ourselves.

We should have compassion for one another.

Before we criticize someone, we should try standing in their shoes or walking a mile.

“Finally all of you have unity of spirit love one another, a tender heart and humble mind.” — 1 Peter 3:8

When people are hurting, sometimes all that is needed is a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen. We don’t have to have all the correct answers.

We should show respect by valuing everyone and celebrating our differences.

Nowadays, it seems with the help of social media, we do not respect everyone who might be different than us.

We need to take it to heart.

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another just as you are doing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

But in trying to keep the benchmark of the faith, it seems we are in pretty good company of those who did not.

From David to Peter to the Apostle Paul, they tried to do what was right but failed miserably.

The Apostle Paul himself even uses the illustration of an archer trying to hit the target and missing.

The word “sin” is alike in Hebrew and Greek means “missed the mark,” as an archer might.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23

Thankfully, also as the Apostle Paul reminds us in his letter to the church in Rome, we are all sinners saved by the grace of Jesus Christ on the cross.

In doing so, we can try to obtain living up to the benchmark of faith, but knowing if we fail, God still loves us and love wins.

If you are interested in the Big Spring benchmark, it is located at: N 36 degrees 56.867 W 090 degrees 59.433.

Rev. Frank Chlastak began work as senior minister of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Poplar Bluff in 2015. He is a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and has served congregations of the Christian Church in Louisiana, Arkansas, Virginia, Oklahoma and Missouri.