April 23, 2009

Pastor John's Journeys

One of the most important concepts to keep focused on is that God has a plan. This seems obvious perhaps, but it is probably the first thing to go out the window when we face a challenge. We get caught up in worry and anxiety about all of the possible outcomes, without remembering that God has a plan. God has a plan for each of our lives. God has a plan for our church. God has a plan for our community and our world, and our universe. Now I believe as many of you do, that we have a choice to follow that plan, or ignore that plan, but we can't escape that the plan is there.
Too often we worry about the hows and the what ifs. We think the solutions are our plans. Therefore we have to create them and control them. There is a freedom that comes with the realization that they are not our plans, they are God's plans. There is a peace that comes with realizing that we don't have to control every aspect of the plan, because it's not our plan. There's a hope that comes from realizing the plan doesn't depend on our abilities or gifts.
Faith in God's plan is what is lacking. As people of the modern age we are a lot more comfortable having faith in things we can see, touch, and manipulate. Having faith in God's plan means letting go and trusting that, if we listen well and follow obediently, things will work out. In a society focused on immediate and easy results this can be a difficult task. This is why we have church. Church isn't a building; it's a group of people. It is a group of people who come together to celebrate the gifts we have been given, to support one another in difficult times, and to strengthen each other so that we can lay our trust and hope in God's plan. Come to worship. Join a "church". Experience the freedom, peace, hope and trust that comes from joining together with others looking for the same thing you are: God's plan.

God Bless
Pastor John