December 30, 2021
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
I Corinthians 15:58, NASB, 1977
A new year of ministry dawns upon us, and we look forward even as we take a look behind. What did we learn in this last year that will inform the manner in which we do ministry in the coming year? In Bible studies and prayer groups we learned the importance of simply being together, by whatever means, to share openly and honestly with another. We learned that we can find support, hope, and encouragement even in the midst of the most challenging situations. We learned that only in our honest cries to God can we know what we are thinking and feeling and be able to move to the next level in our faith journey. We learned that the giving of thanks to God never gets old or tedious.
What awaits us as we move into 2022? We don’t know specifics, but we can be sure there will be challenges and opportunities ahead of us. Planning is happening in the midst of uncertainty, but there are some things of which we can be certain. We know that God loves us, “For God so loved the world…” John 3:16; that Jesus promised a comforter (advocate, helper) to be with us, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever,” John 14:16; in our journeying together we can help one another, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, 4who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God,” II Corinthians 1:3-4; and that God guards our hearts and minds, “And the peace of God, which surpass-es all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:6.
In unity of purpose, may we look forward to working together to carry out our calling individually and as the body known as Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church.
Growing Together in Christ,
Pastor Carolyn