Greg Asimakoupoulous
   
    Naperville, Illinois (the city where, as I write this, I reside) was recently voted the best place in the country to raise kids. Living in one of the most envied communities in the country has its benefits. It also means you have to contend with the reality of that steady flow of families who have succumbed to their envy. Congestion on our roads keeps getting worse and worse. If you don’t work in Naperville (and can’t take mass transit) the commute can be a real test of your character.
We all have our routines to make the most of a mostly bad situation. Cell phone. Mug of coffee. Memo pad in lap. And of course the radio. (Thank God for car radios!) As I drive the 15 miles through suburban streets to my office in Carol Stream, I alternate between the classical radio station and the religious one. While listening to WMBI radio a few weeks ago my drive to work included an unexpected intersection with transcendence. Between traffic updates and weather forecasts, Mark Elfstrand, the morning announcer teased the audience with a trivia question. The caller with the correct answer would win tickets to a concert. The question had to do with the identify of a hymn composer born on this date in 1882. My ears perked up since that particular day was the 48th anniversary of my arrival on planet earth.
Even though my cell phone was at the ready, I didn’t have a clue. Neither did anybody else for that matter. “And the correct answer was George Schuler!” As Mark announced the name of the mystery musician, I breathed a sigh of relief. Even though I pride myself in being an amateur hymnologist and know quite a lot about quiet a few hymnwriters, this was a name I had never come across.
Unlike Philip Bliss, Fanny Crosby Ira Sankey or Wendell Lovelace, Charles Schuler is not a name most church-goers would even recognize. (He is not to be confused with The Reverend Robert Schuller who claims the largest glass church in the world... and one heck of an inventory of Windex). Without doubt, however, the hymn tune George Schuler wrote that made Ira Wilson's lyrics so singable is very recognizable. You see, it was Schuler who wrote the Polka-like melody to “Make Me A Blessing.”
As I drove on toward my daily destination, the trivia contest set my creative mind to thinking. As I contemplated nearly a half century of life, I was forced to reflect on what I have experienced in 17,632 days of life.
I am humbled by God's goodness to me. In two scores and eight years I have been the recipient of countless blessings. Some of them include: Godly grandparents and parents who nurtured me in faith, a lifelong loving friendship with my only sibling, mentors who encouraged me to develop my spiritual gifts, three congregations who have allowed me to serve them as pastor, a committed wife who celebrates my strengths and challenges my weaknesses, three talented daughters (who alone call me dad), the privilege of writing three books, publishing scores of magazine articles, composing hundreds of poems (and even a hymn that is in two hymnals). Yes, God has been good to me!
Yet, in looking ahead to the years to come that God (by his grace) may allow me to live, I want my life to be defined by more than the accumulated blessings. I want to be known as one who is a source of blessing in others lives. I want my life to be a bright and uplifting melody in a world of discord that longs for harmony. It is my hope that the words I speak and the attitudes I convey will be as contagious as a catchy tune people can't help but hum or whistle. I want to befriend the lonely, care for the hurting, carry the weary, forgive the profane, encourage the hopeless, and draw those who need Christ to him. Yes, I want Jesus to shine through me and make me a blessing to those I simple life will touch. Perhaps the words that we sing to George Schuler's unforgettable melody say it best...

"Out of the highways and byways of life many are weary and sad.
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad.
Tell the sweet story of Christ and his love, tell of his power to forgive.
Others will trust him if only you prove true, every moment you live.
Give as 'twas given to you in your need, love as the Master loved you.
Be to the helpless a helper indeed, unto your mission be true.
Make me a blessing. Make me a blessing. Out of my life may Jesus shine.
Make me a blessing O Savior I pray. Make me a blessing to someone today."
 
If you were to identify a gospel song or hymn that would articulate your mission in life, what would it be? Why not think about that as whistle your way to work next week? It could be a helpful antidote as you deal with road rage were you live?