Dear First Pres,
Something I said on Sunday has seemed to resonate with many this week. As I was considering the celebration at the completion of the second Temple in Ezra 6, the Spirit seemed to impress on me the reality that they were celebrating in the midst of a lot that was undone, or less than it had been in the past. First, they were just a tiny remnant of what the nation had been back when the first Temple was completed. Second, the second Temple, when it was first completed, was likely a pale comparison to the first one. It was functional, but likely not as beautiful as that first one. Third, the city of Jerusalem still bore the scars of destruction. The city had been destroyed 70 years earlier by the siege of the Babylonians, and it seems that it had never fully recovered. Fourth, according to Haggai 1, life for the exiles was difficult, and we don’t have evidence that it immediately got better once they started building the Temple again. So, as they were celebrating and filled with joy, it was in the midst of a lot that was undone, a lot that was not the way it was meant to be, a lot that could have caused them despair and disappointment. Yet, by God’s grace, they celebrated nonetheless.
And so, it made me wonder about us. How often do we miss what God is doing because of all that we wish God was doing? How often do we miss what God has done in the midst of all that God has not yet done? How often do we miss what is because of the long list of all that is not?
The goal of the question was not to simply encourage positive thinking. It wasn’t to encourage you to simply not pay attention to those things that aren’t the way they're supposed to be. That wasn’t the way Jesus lived His life, and I don’t believe that’s what it means to be His faithful followers today. Jesus was absolutely aware of the things in this world that didn’t reflect the kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven. In fact, the whole purpose of His life, death, resurrection, and eventual return is to change that forever. But Jesus was also aware, by the Holy Spirit in Him, of what the Father was doing in each and every moment. He was dialed into the work of God in His everyday life.
So, today, I encourage you to make a list of all the things that are true in Christ for you. If you need help, just read Ephesians 1. Then, add to the list the ways that God has been faithful to you. Add to the list the ways you have experienced God’s presence, power and grace. Add to the list what you know to be true about the character of God. Finally, add to the list what God has promised to do in Christ Jesus. You may not have time today to make such a long list, but I hope that just by reading those instructions you are more aware right now of what actually is true about today than you were before.
Beloved, certainly there is much that is not the way it should be. That’s why part of our fourfold mission as a congregation is to Pursue Shalom. But in the midst of pursuing shalom – which we will continue to do until Christ returns – don’t miss what is. As Paul encourages the church in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” May the Lord truly be our source of joy today.
Blessings,
Pastor Jeremy
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