8-13-2025

Good Morning All,

        Ephesians 2:10; “God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.”

   Every so often, pastors sit down with other trusted pastors and discuss hard or difficult times or discussions that we have with our members. You know those conversations that you have with members or people who come to you for help or advice. Sometimes, it is the conversation you have when someone is told that there is nothing the doctors can do any more.  It might be them or a spouse or parent or child involved.  That one is very hard.  Yet you rely on what you have, God’s mercy found in the cross.  We always look to the cross for God’s perfect example of his love for us.  I don’t look forward to those conversations but you can work through them.  The conversation that I have the most trouble with is when someone, usually an elderly member, asks, “Why am I still here?”

    That one is hard.  You can see and hear sadness in their voice and in their eyes.  They usually sigh and are tired.  The ironic thing is that this statement is rarely, if ever, based in some fatalistic gloom.  It is usually based in faith.  They have usually been quite active and now see their roles as diminished, even nonexistent.  They sit in their room and wonder what can I do anymore? Am I just a burden?  And it isn’t always older people who can be overwhelmed by this feeling.  It is easy to look around the world and wonder “what good am I?”

    This is the verse I like to use.  I like to use it when I feel overwhelmed and passed by as well.  God made us; he gave us a path and he placed good works in that path for us to do.  You don’t have to solve the world’s problems or even do what you did a few years ago; you need to look to today.  Maybe you used to lead the church choir but now you only sing with a grandchild; isn’t that just as important?  Maybe you used to teach dozens and now only a couple; aren’t they just as important?  God uses us according to his plan and his will.  Don’t try to understand it; you will only get a headache or even some heartache. 

    God has a plan and is guiding down that path and the opportunities might be different, even less in the world’s view, but it is part of God’s plan.  So instead of reaching dozens or influencing hundreds; touch the life of one person today.  It might be your spouse, your child, the neighbor, the young man who mows the lawn; whoever God places in your path today; touch them with God’s grace.  Share God’s love with them.  Enjoy God’s love for you.  Take time to think about all that God has done for you today and what that means for tomorrow.  As we reflect about what God has done, what he is doing and what he promises to do for tomorrow.  God gives us the path and he gives us the tools and he gives us the opportunities to do those works which he lays out for us.  Why are you still here? Because God still has wonders for you to experience.

Dearest Father, so often we feel overwhelmed by life; by our struggles with the way we feel our life proceeds. Give us the understanding to see and the patience to trust in your gracious will.  Give your special love to those who are truly wondering why they are here. Give them that true peace and comfort which only you can give.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray; amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret