What's Ahead?
God in His wisdom has hidden tomorrow from us as pertains to particulars. He chose to give us free will. If He told us exactly what tomorrow would be we would not put forth honest effort.
The struggle of our faith is a purging of our conscience. Like a ship in distress that lightens the load, we groan when the road is rough. We measure things with a more careful eye. We question what is right? We question what is wrong? We take "things" to the Cross where we decide what we will carry into the future.
This is a healthy process. We have no right to assume that we are all-knowing, all-wise, or all-seeing. We are none of these. We are mortal. Limited. We struggle to find our footing in an uncertain world. When we think we are successful, we look around us to find others who have out-run us in worldly success. We see others who have failed. We are too often caught in the vortex of winds that shift, seemingly at will, ripping and tearing at the fabric of our lives. Back to the Cross we go knowing that the path ahead leads to certain unavoidable destiny.
No matter how complicated the road system, no matter how many over-passes and super-highways, at the end of the day we come to a common end. Wisdom teaches that all we are and hope to be is converged into the meaning of eventual destiny.
Tomorrow? The Year of 2009? Well, My Friend, it is going to be good! God is on His throne. God is in a creative mode. God is into big things. Scientists inform us that new galaxies are being formed. The Universe is expanding. Imagine: The end of nothing is territory for God to begin something. The end of man's measuring is where God says: "I will do a new thing."
I have seen God's hand at work. Dee Wah, a refugee, came to Charlottesville and to Covenant Church. She is a precious single mom with four children. The family moved to North Carolina. A new family from Togo, Africa, moved into the apartment vacated by Dee Wah. Covenant Church did not remove the address for Dee Wah's mailing. A wonderful Christian family from Togo weekly received Dee Wah's mailing. Not knowing where to go to church they decided to call the number in the Covenant newsletter. Today this family of four joined two other Togo families in worship with the Covenant Family!
I have seen God at work. My friend, our friend, Irene Crews, 104 years old went to the hospital. The doctor said she had a heart attack but medicine should work. She is home giving God praise!
Even as I write to you I am also preparing to share my first message with a congregation that will gather tonight at Covenant Church. Several ethnic groups from Myanmar (former Burma) have been meeting at Covenant Church. Caroline, from Myanmar, is retired. She moved from California to work with people from her country in Charlottesville. A group of her people met and chose their own leaders. They also chose to come under the leadership of Pastor Bare and Covenant Church.
(Three Hours Later) Eighty of us met. We shared communion, prayer, songs, and lit candles for a ceremony of covenant to work together. Then Laila (my wife) took pictures of each family. Oh, what a wonderful time of worship!
This morning I open an email. Bishop David Mills has returned from a trip to Africa. We asked Bishop Mills to meet with Pastor Enock in Juba, Sudan and discuss our congregation under Pastor Enock's leadership affiliating with the Church of God. Bishop Mills reports a wonderful meeting and a recommendation for the affiliation. This is a great victory!
My heart is full of praise to God. While there is a devil, there is a God who is greater. The future will be full of testimonies of the mighty hand of God at work! Thank you for being part of the Covenant Family.
Finally, please note that on Wednesday's at 6 PM you are welcome to come to Room 204 of the NT Building for financial counseling. A number of experts have agreed to offer their services free for budgeting, insurance, financing, mortgages, investment, etc. Whatever your concerns we promise to get you wise counsel. Every Wednesday through the end of February this offer stands.
Now promise to pray with me. Be careful with your heart. Read your Bible. Stay in good company. Be faithful in worship and Bible study.
Pastor Bare
Philippians 4:8