Grace and Peace to you!
Happy New Year! With the end of one calendar and the beginning of a new one, there is the opportunity to reflect on one’s past and look in anticipation for a better future. This time of year often proves to be helpful as we are each able to take an honest look at who we are, both the positive and the not-so-positive.
In much the same way, we can look into a mirror to see who we are, or at least what we look like. When I look into a mirror, I might focus a bit more on those “little flaws”. I’ll notice that my hair won’t stay put, that I might be a little grayer than before, or that this year I need to try to keep my New Year’s resolution to exercise more. I forget to notice those things that are not reflected in the mirror such as a loving family, caring and wonderful people in two congregations, a continued journey towards restored health. I think that we all have days that we see more of the not-so-positives than the positives.
Have you noticed how it seems that it is more and more popular to point toward another’s possible flaws and failings? In our success driven culture, we are all too quick to criticize rather than lift up others. How common is it for each to make a mistake by not seeing and appreciating the value that lies deep within each one of us?
Even within the church, we often focus on the things that we do wrong, on our shortcomings, instead of on God’s blessings in our lives. Many people will become hesitant to share their gifts with the church because they don’t want to appear too eager, or because they begin to think that there might be someone out there who can do the task better. Not to mention that we wouldn’t want to be known as thinking that we’re better than we really are, plus we might begin to assume that our efforts will do little or no good for furthering the work of the church. Or we decide to wait for someone to ask us to serve, rather than taking the initiative to offer our gifts in our Lord’s service.
As we are God’s children, the world will look at us to see what God and God’s children are like. If we are caught up in negativity, the world will see a church that is concerned only with itself, a church that cares nothing for anyone else, and ultimately will see a church that doesn’t believe in its own teachings. A church that believes in God’s love for the world is to be a church that can’t wait to share that Good News with the rest of the world.
For God’s grace has a purpose which to lead people to thanking Him, worshipping Him and glorifying Him. And as a result, this means we will be living in a graceful relationship with others who are also thanking, worshipping and glorifying God.
So, let’s be the church together! With Christ as our focus and influencing all things, being equipped by Christ, and reflecting Christ and His grace in every situation we encounter so that many other people may come to know and glorify God.
In Christ!
Pastor Bakker
5for in every way you have been enriched in him [Jesus Christ], in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— 7so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:5-9 (NRSV)
Happy New Year! With the end of one calendar and the beginning of a new one, there is the opportunity to reflect on one’s past and look in anticipation for a better future. This time of year often proves to be helpful as we are each able to take an honest look at who we are, both the positive and the not-so-positive.
In much the same way, we can look into a mirror to see who we are, or at least what we look like. When I look into a mirror, I might focus a bit more on those “little flaws”. I’ll notice that my hair won’t stay put, that I might be a little grayer than before, or that this year I need to try to keep my New Year’s resolution to exercise more. I forget to notice those things that are not reflected in the mirror such as a loving family, caring and wonderful people in two congregations, a continued journey towards restored health. I think that we all have days that we see more of the not-so-positives than the positives.
Have you noticed how it seems that it is more and more popular to point toward another’s possible flaws and failings? In our success driven culture, we are all too quick to criticize rather than lift up others. How common is it for each to make a mistake by not seeing and appreciating the value that lies deep within each one of us?
Even within the church, we often focus on the things that we do wrong, on our shortcomings, instead of on God’s blessings in our lives. Many people will become hesitant to share their gifts with the church because they don’t want to appear too eager, or because they begin to think that there might be someone out there who can do the task better. Not to mention that we wouldn’t want to be known as thinking that we’re better than we really are, plus we might begin to assume that our efforts will do little or no good for furthering the work of the church. Or we decide to wait for someone to ask us to serve, rather than taking the initiative to offer our gifts in our Lord’s service.
As we are God’s children, the world will look at us to see what God and God’s children are like. If we are caught up in negativity, the world will see a church that is concerned only with itself, a church that cares nothing for anyone else, and ultimately will see a church that doesn’t believe in its own teachings. A church that believes in God’s love for the world is to be a church that can’t wait to share that Good News with the rest of the world.
For God’s grace has a purpose which to lead people to thanking Him, worshipping Him and glorifying Him. And as a result, this means we will be living in a graceful relationship with others who are also thanking, worshipping and glorifying God.
So, let’s be the church together! With Christ as our focus and influencing all things, being equipped by Christ, and reflecting Christ and His grace in every situation we encounter so that many other people may come to know and glorify God.
In Christ!
Pastor Bakker
5for in every way you have been enriched in him [Jesus Christ], in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— 7so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:5-9 (NRSV)
