I Wavered
It is true. I considered whether the long-standing policy of having church doors open should be reconsidered. The temperature was near zero. Snow was about 20 inches deep. Many roads were impassable. Main roads still had partial covering of snow/ice.
Martin Li had stayed in the church during the weekend. He was our insurance card. Martin called and shared that the electricity was off. Mike, facilities manager, called to say there was ice in the parking lot.
I watched the TV screen scroll churches in the community that were closed/opened. Only saw four with any schedule of services.
A call came from Nepalese asking if the van would run. I asked the lady to call back in an hour. It was a painful hour as I read the Bible and prayed.
Saturday I had taken an old bumper, tied it to a four-wheeler and dragged our driveway to the main road. Yes, it was fun. Our car could make it to the main road.
Martin would be at church. The four of us would be at church. That would make five. Mike called and said he had picked up sand at Lowe’s, which would help with the ice.
We made it to church. The plan was not clear. We would determine a plan.
Danny and Tyler Bare, and Mike Kneller had worked most of Saturday to clear parking lots.
Our arrival in sunshine was greeted with smiling faces of men heartily at work shoveling, sanding, salting and directing traffic. We were not the first to arrive.
Fireman Eric Santana had been on duty since Friday, but he took time to join the crew getting vans dug out and parking lots safe. Two vans left to pick up people waiting for a ride.
Volunteers decided that the lobby facing the sun would be warmest. Chairs were brought to fill the lobby. A music stand became the pulpit. A battery-powered keyboard was set up for music.
We had a time of testimony, followed by intercessory prayer for those who were snowbound and not able to be in church. Special singing by Indians in the Tamil language, Kenyans in the Swahili language, and an English solo of a worship chorus. We worshipped with a message. We loved God with our tithe and offerings. We enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship.
Body heat warmed the place. It was cozy by the time we ended. No abbreviation of the service. We were inspired. We were in the presence of Our Lord Jesus. It is a beautiful memory.
It is true that I wavered, but I am glad I did not give in. I questioned, but commitment and fortitude determined the action plan.
Once as a young pastor it occurred to me on a difficult day not to receive an offering from the handful of people present. Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me: “Who do you think you are? Whose Church is it? To whom do these people belong? If they have brought me an offering it is your duty to allow them to worship me with their offering.”
Memories of that intervention of the Holy Spirit instructing me help me to be steady when the temptation to waver is present. Having determined a course, keep the course.
Over the weekend we stopped at a store. A lady cheerfully said: “Hi, Pastor Bare.” She then shared that she had once attended Covenant Church but moved to Arizona. This newsletter followed her. She said she wept with joy when she weekly received the Pastor’s Heart. She has now moved back to Charlottesville, but has to work on Sunday. She is still blessed by the Pastor’s Heart. Twenty-eight years we have weekly mailed /emailed the Pastor’s Heart.
The intent of this letter is to share with you the importance of being steady. The snow has come to our part of the world. We are currently challenged. However, spring will come. And it will soon be here. March will bring fair days. Rest assured.
In fact, we are advised by forecasters that this coming Sunday temperatures may be in the 40’s. Careful. Say your prayers. Read your Bible. Do not fall back. Do not allow satan to steal from you. Do not go back to old and sinful ways because the sky is cloudy.
Choose to do right. Don’t waver. Don’t doubt. Have a single heart toward God.
It has been rewarding these past days to see people drive in and say: “I am bringing my tithe and offering. I could not be here last Sunday.” Others have mailed their offerings to the church.
We are a family. We are working together to grow strong, be strong, to serve, and to look for the Coming of Our Lord Jesus.
We will not waver and FAIL!
And Sunday will come. The prediction is for 40+ degrees! Oh, for a house full of people come to worship. We shall rejoice!
Pastor Bare
Deuteronomy 23:22 But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty.(NIV)