FROM PASTOR MIKE’S DESK:

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

Up, down, left, right, this way, that way, no wait, which way am I suppose to be going again? That pretty sums up how it seems like my days are typically going. At times I feel like I’m meeting myself coming as I’m leaving. Needless to say, things have been crazy. Kind of the motto for this entire 2020 year right?

But you know, in the midst of all the craziness … I noticed something the other day which I had been neglecting … my fish tank. Now I hadn’t neglected it to the point where the glass was green and all the fish were doing the backstroke on top of the tank, however, the water was a little lower than I like to see it. Usually, when I look at the fish tank, I can’t see the water level because the tank is full.  The other day … the water level was about 2 inches below where I normally keep it.

So needless to say, I had to show them a little more tender loving care than just the daily feeding of them I had been doing.

But while I was cleaning the tank, I got to thinking. Normally, the fish are just doing their normal thing. They’re peacefully swimming around and doing what God created them to do.  That is until I stick my hand inside of the tank to pull plants out, suck some dirty stuff out, add a new air stone, change the filter, and rearrange their furniture. When I’m doing that … let’s just say they were a bit stressed. Can you really blame them though? I would be too if I was one of them.  Here they are trying to live their life out peacefully in this all-inclusive underwater resort and I’m causing them stress.

So this leads me to this question, one which I’m not good at looking at in my own life but I will ask it anyway … how are you doing? I’m not looking for the “oh I’m doing fine” kind of surface answer. I want you to take a moment, look inside yourself, and ponder … how are you doing?

I’m sure, with everything which has happened this year, on top of the normal stressors of everyday life … we are probably all a little worn out, a little tired, a little anxious, a little stressed. It feels like something is reaching into our lives, stirring things up, and rearranging how we are used to doing things.

This brings me back to the fish in my tank. You and I are very similar to these fish. You and I live in a community with others, as God designed us to be. Just as I provide for my fish what they need, God provides for you and me the things we need. Just as I take care of my fish, God continues to take care of us.

Jesus even said in Matthew’s gospel, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matt. 6:26) Or what about this one, “See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you?” (Matt. 6:28-30)

With everything going on, with the world feeling like it has been flipped upside down, as we await word on what will happen with the call process … we continue to trust, we continue to live … as God would have us to live. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will work about itself.” (Matt. 6:33-34).

God’s blessings to you as you do what God has created you to do … fear, love, and trust in Him above all things, and love your neighbor as yourself.

In Christ,
Pastor Mike