“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV) Dear Church, The world around us is tired, hurting, and confused. God’s presence always invites us to hope. Remember that God has done it in the past, and he continues to do that now. The King James version of this text says, “Behold, I will do a new thing …” It reminds me of the moments in Scripture where God speaks boldly through angels or his Spirit in unlikely moments. It may be so personal and painful that a Scripture passage like this can feel like salt in a wound. It may be every morning when you read the latest news about the pandemic or the war in Ukraine or the economy. It may be when you think about a difficult relationship with a family member or a coworker. I’m not sure when and where you may need the invitation to hope right now. Yes, even in the wilderness and the wasteland, God is doing a new thing where streams of living water flow. However, what we are invited to do is not to be constrained or discouraged by our past and present circumstances. Throughout the Bible, God reminds us of how important it is to remember what has happened in the past. ![]() See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) God’s words through Isaiah are not meant to communicate blind optimism or inspiration. “Forget the former things do not dwell on the past. The good news of the kingdom of God invites us to hope. ![]() God’s faithfulness and provision throughout history invites us to hope. Scripture gives us an invitation to hope. While we often feel like we don’t have what we need in those valleys of despair, we may find exactly what we need the most - hope. There are so many moments when I’ve come before God in lament and asked for strength not to fall into despair. I’m praying that we will be the kind of church that will be faithful in the little things and able to be entrusted with even more.ĭear Church, It feels like on a weekly (and even daily) basis, there are fears, tragedies, and dangers that grieve or threaten us. How can we pursue a “good and faithful” life? What would that look like for you on a daily and weekly basis? Jesus makes it clear that what’s most valuable to God is not our treasures or our talents - God is most interested in our hearts. The reward is the affirmation of our Heavenly Father who says: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things I will put you in charge of many things. It’s not even the satisfaction that we have made a difference in the world. It’s not a better life where we enjoy the spoils of our riches. When we store up our treasures in heaven, we are invited to seek out a different kind of reward for our work and investment. They receive the same response from the master: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things I will put you in charge of many things. The first two servants put their talents to work and gain more with what they were given. Jesus tells a parable of a master who entrusts talents to his servants, goes away on a journey, and returns to settle accounts. We spend a lifetime in our work, education, and creative energy to be good stewards of what God has given us. We want to get a good return, either for ourselves or for others. We want our investments to be smart, efficient, and impactful. Most of us spend our waking hours trying to decide the best way to invest our time, talents, and treasures. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ![]() “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
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