January 2007
From the Pastor’s Heart
FROM THE HEART
January 2007
Galatians 6.9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up.
Each new year brings to us countless opportunities to be living witnesses to the grace of God at work in our lives. 2007 will be no different. Beginning with New Year’s Day all the way through to New Year’s Eve, we will have many chances to be examples of how God’s gracious and transforming love encourages us to be positive and forward-thinking members of our families, our congregation and our community.
As exciting and energizing as Christian living is, it must be noted that there are always discouragements and pitfalls that have the potential to cause us to stumble and fall. Fortunately, God has commanded his angels to guard the paths of the faithful, to lift believers up in their hands, so that they will not strike their feet against a stone (Psalm 91).
I recall a saying my father chastised me with (more than once, I have to admit), “If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.” There will be times in this new year that we will find ourselves in a hole…for whatever reason. Stop digging. Call on God. Follow his divine advice. Respond positively.
One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey So he invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!
Like I said, there will be times when we find ourselves in a hole. Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the hole is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of any hole by relying on God and trusting in his answer, even if it initially feels like he is throwing shovelfuls of dirt on our backs. Shake it off and take a step up!
If you are a New Year’s Resolutions kind of person, consider the short list below as a means to helping you maintain and positive attitude and a faithful relationship with the one who creates, redeems, and sustains.
Remember five simple rules for living as we begin a new year of faithfulness:
1. Worship and serve God with all your heart.
2. Free your mind from hatred and worries.
3. Live more simply than those around you.
4. Give more generously of what you have.
5. Give thanks with a grateful heart.
May this be the year that we are fully persuaded that God has the power to do what he has promised (Romans 4.21).