A MOMENT WITH PASTOR LUKE
Hey Church! As Christmas draws closer and closer, I can’t help but dwell on the ultimate gift to us as human beings, Jesus. What a complete plot twist within the story of humanity. It seemed like we were on a collision course with self destruction; sin, hate, and selfishness ran rampant, and yet here comes God Himself as a vulnerable babe being born to a humble couple. And with Jesus, a completely new narrative is written. A better story.
I wonder what the world would look like if we embraced that better story more completely. A story where imperfection doesn’t disqualify, or struggle is seen as weakness. A story where love is true north instead of upward mobility within caste systems. A story where sacrifice for neighbors and enemies is commonplace instead of a random feel good story throughout the year. A completely better story. Jesus gifts us through Himself a better story, and all He asks of us is to embrace it fully.
As Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking on water, he was embracing Jesus’ story for himself and the world. It was when the waves caused him to doubt in the validity of Jesus’ work that he fell splashing into the sea. And yet, instead of Jesus rebuking Peter and saying, “if only you were more perfect!”, there is Jesus helping Peter up out of the water so he can again continue to learn how to embrace this better story of the Gospel.
This year God has blessed our church in allowing us, despite a pandemic, to grow and see others embrace Jesus and the Gospel. The next two Sabbaths will both be ones of high celebration as we will be having three baptisms tomorrow, and then another baptism on the 26th! This is all because of God working through us, and in us, to be lights to those around us.
When I think of these four souls making a commitment to surrender to Christ and embrace His story as the true story of history, I can’t help but also think of those within our communities who might find themselves almost like a character in a bad story, and in dire need of a new author to help them rewrite theirs. Thankfully, that is what Jesus specializes in! He is the author and finisher of our faith! So if you know someone who feels stuck in a bad story, reach out to them and ask God to enable you to share His story so they too can learn to embrace it.
Happy Sabbath, Church!
Pastor Luke
