Our attendance at the Breaking of Bread service on Dec. 31 was wonderful and I pray it will continue.
So! My calendar now reads 2024. I wonder if you are like me when I woke up on Monday morning Jan 1st 2024. Did it seem any different? I think for the most part it was just another Monday. It was slightly different in that we had delayed our Christmas family dinner a week due to illness in the family but otherwise it was another Monday the 2nd day of another week. And so on. So then, how should I look at this event when it comes to my life as a Christian.
Let me share a story I read recently that I think tells me what I as a Christian should be living like no matter what the calendar says.
A Pastor was called to a new church and after getting settled in, he was riding the bus to go to the church to attend to his daily activities. After sitting down on the bus he realized the driver had given him too much change back for the fare he should have paid. It was a small amount and his conscience debated what to do. As a small amount, nobody would care and the bus company made lots of money anyway so why worry. As he travelled to his desired stop the issue dragged on in his mind.
As he turned to get off the bus the driver spoke and said “”you’re the new Pastor at the local church” the Pastor replied “yes I am”. The Driver then said I’ll see you on Sunday. I gave you the wrong change to see what you would do.
After finally reaching his stop he got up to alight from the bus and passing the driver the pastor handed him the over amount of change.
So, in 2024 what is our behavior going to be like for the small things or the big things. Is our Christian witness going to show up at all times?
Ecclesiastes 1:14
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed all is vanity and grasping for the wind.
We live in a world that has lost its moral compass, its compassion, its kindness and its consideration of others. Everything that was wrong is now right. That what was right is now unacceptable.
We as Christians must pass the test of living our lives as God directs and showing our Faith in everything we do.
Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Colossians 2:6-7
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abound in it with thanksgiving.
So let’s give thanks for our Faith, Family and Friends as we move forward in the days, weeks, months and even years that the Lord may or may not give us.
It was a delight to have coffee with Hans Terpstra yesterday after his major heart surgery. He reminded us that our days are numbered with the fact that during his 6 weeks of recovery 4 of his friends had passed away.
Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Faith, Family & Friends.
