Words from the Pastor
Here it is, the last week of September. I just turned 61 years old two days ago. As someone once said, “Youth is wasted on the young!” my daddy always says, “After 40 it’s patch, patch, patch!” I am starting to agree with him. But by God’s grace I just keep moving forward trying to do what He gives me to do on a daily basis. Someone said that living this long is better than the alternative, but I know it’s not! What is the alternative? Well if you’re a Christian it’s spending eternity in Heaven with Him! So please, don’t threaten me with death. Although the thought of getting dead sometimes isn’t so pleasant. When I die, I want to go like my grandfather did, peacefully his sleep. Not yelling and screaming like the rest of the people in his car.
But what if it doesn’t happen that way? What if God decides that I need to suffer for a while? What if I have a debilitating disease that causes me to suffer before I die. I was visiting with a man who has been battling cancer for 15 years. Before he got cancer, he was very active and talented. But for the last 15 years he has been pretty much tied to his home. I thought, “What if this were me? What would I do?” I would like to think I would start searching my heart for what God wanted to show me. I hope I would be humble enough to know to listen to what God was trying to tell me. And, even though I was sick, I hope I would still be sharing His love with the world.
In the 2nd epistle to Timothy the Apostle Paul wrote his swan song. In the 4th chapter the 6th through the 8th verses Paul writes, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” I want to live that kind of life. I want to be used by God to touch everyone that comes around me. I want to lay down my life and put His life on. I want to be able to say, “Lord, whatever you need to do to work out your will in my life, please do it.” Can you pray that? Can I pray that? I hope I can pray that prayer and really mean it. That way, when we get to the end of this life we can truly say, like the Apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” A poet once penned these words, “Only one life, will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” How is your faith? Paul penned these words from a prison cell not to long before Nero had him executed by decapitation. Would I be able to keep the faith if I knew that I was going to lose my life anytime for my belief in Jesus? I hope so.
So please take heart brothers and sisters knowing that no matter what you are going through God is right there. Jesus understands your pain because He has been there and done that. Hebrews tells us that He isn’t a high priest that can’t understand our pain. He has lived it and wants to walk beside us no matter what it is. Only trust Him, He’s a wonderful Savior.
Please let me know if you need anything. You pray for me and I’ll pray for you. Naomi and I love you all. -Pastor Steve