Looking Up

We live in troubling times when what we know is right according to God's Word is cast as out of date, out of step or even wrong, whether it is moral or political. The world stage is evolving too. Just a month ago, who would have guessed the turmoil in the middle east would have changed leadership in Egypt or brought about the near collapse of leadership in Libya. We do live in interesting and yet troubling times.

There is another word that describes our times. Anticipation. We anticipate a turn around in the economy. We anticipate better times. Kids of all ages in Sonoma County are anticipating snow levels to drop down to their own backyards. I remember back to my childhood days when my family went to Chicago for Christmas. The weather was freezing, but there was no snow. At bedtime I prayed for snow and dreamt of snow all night long. I woke up early to discover a couple of inches of snow on the ground. Anticipation can be a good thing. It raises our level of expectation as it stirs up hope. It gives us energy to keep going. It raises our eyes to see the possibility of something better and brighter.

As Christians, we ought to be a people characterized by anticipation. The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ. In the gospel, God anticipates our need and provides a Savior. God calls us out of darkness that we might walk in His light. There is expectation. We are saved for a purpose, that we might live according to the high calling of God through Christ Jesus. Part of that calling is to be light and salt in our world. If we are not letting our light shine, our world will remain in spiritual darkness. If we do not season our world with God's truth, the world will remain living in the lie.

In addition, as Christians our sights are set not on earthly things but on heavenly things. This is not our permanent home. We are on a journey. Our destination is heaven. One day we will see Jesus face to face. One day we will be part of the myriads of people who bow down before the very throne of God and will praise Him with all our hearts.

Yes we live in troubling times. So we cling to Jesus, our Emmanuel who has promised to be with us no matter what. Yes we live in interesting times, but may our interest in God overshadow the earthly interests of today. Yes we are a people of anticipation. May our hope in the Lord bring joy where there is sorrow, strength where there is weakness, and faith when all around gives way.

Beloved, let us continue to look up, for our Lord loves us so.
Blessings,
Pastor Pete