Bethania Moravian Church
We are in the beginning days of summer. So much to do, so little time. Have you ever felt that way? Maybe this is a feeling that stays with you most of the time. Somehow there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day. From early morning until late at night, the list of things that needs to be done continues to grow until finally there is a sense of frustration and maybe even a little bit of anger. A sense of frustration because there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight, and a sense of anger because there must be a better way to accomplish the goals that you have set for yourself.
Perhaps you fall into another camp. This camp may be the lifestyle that is created when you have plenty of time on your hands … time to get lonely, time to sit and bemoan your circumstances, time to wonder why things are the way that they are…you used to be so active, but now, all that has changed. There is more time, but not more of life or of joy. Before you begin to wonder what this is all about, think about the days ahead. Will they be filled with the stuff of life or will they become something else? We are living in challenging times, and they are that way for a number of reasons. You can blame it on the economy, the political climate, or whatever you choose to name as the reason. The fact is, we are anxious and afraid because of the uncertainty of life. Have you noticed that things are not more sure and that places and faces have become unpredictable? But do you know what is certain? I believe that we are living in days such as the world has never seen. Many people are sensing that there is something on the horizon, but no one seems sure what is coming next. Now there are two ways, maybe even three, that we can react to this unease: (1) we can ignore the signs, (2) we can recognize the opportunities, or (3) we can try something such as digging a hole and jumping into a “foxhole” existence with a mentality that matches our philosophy of defensive living. It seems to me that we have already begun to try that third method in many of our churches (and maybe even in our homes). We are living with a kind of defensive posture, and just for good measure, we are teaching others to do the same by the way we talk and act! Just look around at the way we are living and acting because we have the perception that things are going badly. Now don’t get me wrong, I know that there are many reasons for concern these days, but I am not ready for a foxhole. In fact, it is at this very time that we need people who, in faith, will stand up and clearly and loudly proclaim that we do have a reason for hope. That hope is in the One who continues to be faithful to us and to supply our needs.
It seems that this is exactly the time and the place for people of Godly character to declare the message of Good News that is only found in the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to be faithful to the One who has been faithful in saving us, don’t you agree? Then it begins with a faithfulness in worship, in service, in Bible study, and in prayer. It also means being faithful in our witness and in our stewardship. It begins with you and me. Looking up!
