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Leaving the church building one day this week, I paused to take note of the overcast skies that awaited me. As I stood there, I wondered if maybe I should have worn long sleeves or maybe a jacket. On the inside looking out, the weather looked cold. The skies were grey and rain was on the way. It was going to turn into a cold, rainy, wintry October day.
Still scolding myself for not dressing for the weather, I made a dash for the car. Somewhere between leaving the building and arriving at my car, I had a revelation: “This is not cold, this is muggy!” October, and it was muggy! As I got into the car, I asked myself, how many times have you called an October day muggy?
Everything changes, and sometimes even the way things change changes. October, for example. I expect it to turn into November or December — not August! Now with all this rain, I am wondering if I will be cutting grass after Thanksgiving!
Just as change is inevitable, so too do our lives need foundational elements that do not change. Prayer is one of those elements that can bring stability and constancy to life. Find a quiet place. Sit comfortably with good posture. Gently close your eyes. Breathe deeply. Be attentive and relaxed. Wait for God. Focus on God. Stay focused on God. Return your focus to God as soon as you realize that your focus has drifted. Do not be discouraged by distractions. Let them come and go always returning your focus to God. Day by day this kind of praying builds a stable and fruitful foundation under our lives.
The church is another source of stability and constancy in our lives. Just as personal prayer is an anchor that we can hang onto in our daily lives, it gives us that kind of stability in the life we share together. The church, as the body of Christ, speaks grace to those who need forgiveness, demonstrates compassion to those who need mercy, and offers hope to those who are in despair. The church changes and evolves just like any other part of our lives; but what does not change is that church always offers the grace, compassion, and hope of Jesus Christ to those in need.
This morning, as you make your financial commitment for the coming year to the work that God is doing in our church, be mindful that you are impacted by this church’s unchanging commitment to share Christ’s love. First, as you give, you make it possible for others to experience that unchanging love. Second, as you give so that others can experience that love, you are transformed by your giving.
Nothing ever stays the same, and that is good when we think about our relationship with God. God is always at work in us and around us, inviting us to deeper more intimate relationship with Him. Celebrate this opportunity that God is giving to you to be a part of sharing Christ’s love with people who need to be loved.
Joy and peace,
Ed
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