As the weather is expected to change in the upcoming month, it would be natural for us to think about how we have changed this year. The seasonal shift can serve as a visual illustration of our inward changes. In our reflections, I have no doubt that we will find that God has been working in mysterious ways and obvious ones. This invitation to reflect is for us as a church to consider the ways God has stretched us, pushed us, and comforted us. It is through such reflection that we can move forward courageously the next part of our faith journeys. You might find that the changes you hoped to make have not been as successful as you wish but do not fret there is still time. You might feel like all the changes in your life have left you tired but do not fret there is grace for you to be. You might be hearing the Spirit’s whisper asking you to make more changes that would lead to wholeness in God. Whatever it might be, we will face it together. My prayer for us this season is that we would be people of great joy (no pun intended here). It is for us to be a faith community that is glad to be together and hopeful that others will join in. A church that acknowledges that periods of doubt are not the end. In fact, they can mark the beginning. As Ann Voskamp wrote, “The secret of joy is to keep seeking God where we doubt he is.” God has, is, and will show up even if we have our doubts, concerns, and complaints. I am as sure about this as I am about the changing of the seasons. Let us keep seeking God together.
11 and I know God has made everything beautiful for its time. God has also placed in our minds a sense of eternity; we look back on the past and ponder over the future, yet we cannot understand the doings of God. 12 I know there is nothing better for us than to be joyful and to do good throughout our lives; 13 to eat and drink and see the good in all of our hard work is a gift from God. 14 I know everything God does endures for all time. Nothing can be added to it; nothing can be taken away from it. We humans can only stand in awe of all God has done. Ecclesiastes 3:11-14 (The Voice)
Reflectively,
Pastor Joy