Pastor's Thoughts...

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It seems like things never really slow down…we just shift from one
season of busyness to another! We have just left Easter and
spring break madness, and now we move to graduation and wedding
season. But regardless of the time of year that we find ourselves
rushing through, there is always ample opportunity to experience
God’s grace anew and learn from Him.
This time of year reminds me particularly that there is a never ending
shifting of seasons in our lives…that we are constantly moving
from one phase of life to another. As you read this, you might be
entering a new phase of education, or approaching marriage, starting
a family, seeing your family grow up and leave, starting a new
job or considering retirement, buying your first house or selling
your house to downsize…regardless of your age, the one thing that
remains constant are the transitions of life! We can dread them,
fight them and/or complain about them (which are our most typical
responses!), but there is another possibility: What if we embraced
them? What if, rather than getting depressed over the fact that
things are different than they used to be, we directed our energy
to seeking God’s purpose for us during this new phase? Our reflection
might include questions like: What new thing does God have
for me to learn? What new service or witness does this phase of
life uniquely qualify me to perform? What person has this new
phase brought into my life to love, share the gospel with or disciple?
As you walk through the changes that are happening in your life,
pray for the grace to view the changes in your life as new opportunities
for growth and service. It is the best recipe I know for joy
and contentedness.
Blessings,
Pastor Scott