We Have Our Worldly Hopes and Dreams
| As I sit down to write this, I am reflecting on it this week. (I’m going to give you a peek into my thoughts, which is kind of a scary place to venture into, I’ll admit.) It is a momentous week in a time of turmoil. Trying to take it all in and make sense of it becomes overwhelming. How do I see God’s plan in what is happening around us? As a church in which justice is a fundamental tenet of our mission, we cannot help but be anxious about events. We exercise our civic franchise and hope that enough of others doing the same agree with us. But in the end, regardless of how it has played out, what is God’s intent for us? If events played as we hoped? Then what? If events do not go as we hoped? Then what? A fundamental concept that I try to keep in my thoughts as I struggle with things happening in the world around me is that, when it comes down to it, I believe the Lord doesn’t really care what happens to nations. We have been raised hearing “God bless America.” But does He? He doesn’t care what happens to political parties. In Isaiah 40, the prophet tells the Jews that the nations that are troublesome to them are nothing compared to God. “15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust…17 Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing…23 He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.” No, He cares about what happens to each of us. It is more important that we “ ’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40) Our personal relationship with the Lord is the foundation of faith and salvation. “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? (Matthew 16:26) We have our worldly hopes and dreams. Our faith mission compels us to seek love, fairness, justice, and care for all. But through it all, we cannot lose sight of our personal walk with the Lord. We cannot confuse worldly success for God’s approbation. We strive and speak for justice but we must always do so in the name of the Lord. And the struggle for love and justice is never-ending either on the world stage or in our own lives. I believe we seek justice and promote fairness not to gain power but to live the charge the Lord has given us – to love our neighbor. I’ve heard that a society becomes great when older men plant trees, knowing they will never sit under their shade. That is what I see us doing – planting for the future. I see this not only in our civic life but also in the life of Resurrection. We are planting for the future, planting hope, and watering with love so that our church’s tree of life will continue to grow and provide shade of acceptance, love, and family. A lot to consider. A lot to sort out in our hearts and minds. But to struggle in the service of the Lord, in my mind, is the most worthy of all. And I want to leave you with a final thought. Another civic event is being celebrated now. Something easily overlooked with all that is going on. As a nation, we honor our veterans on Veterans Day. I encourage each of us to take a moment to truly give thanks to those who have chosen to put their life in the service of the people of this country. Psalm 46:9 could have been written for soldiers: “He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire”. Soldiers don’t seek conflict. A soldier serves for many reasons, but its base is love of country. And every veteran and serving military member I know doesn’t stand on the front lines because they hate what’s in front of them. They do it because they love what’s behind them. John 15:13 states, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” For it is through their service and sacrifice that we have the capability to follow the mission of our church. To carry on the struggle in service of God. May God bless you. May God shine his countenance upon you. And give you peace. |
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| Bill RussellBoard Member,Assistant TreasurerBill@ResurrectionMCC.org View Last Sunday’s Service HERE |