How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, indeed it faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise. Selah! Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah! Psalm 84:1-8
Church … by God’s design, we are people of Light. We have a Companion and Savior leading the way. This Light lives within us … which makes me wonder: Where are we dwelling? Where are we living? In other words, do we find ourselves wanting more; listening to voices in our heads telling us we are not enough; or allowing a somber narrative presented by the news to define us? Or are we grabbing onto the light that Jesus offers us through our faith and living our lives with hope and happiness through His filter? Hmmm …
In January, we were all invited to receive our word of the year; a word that was intended to motivate us and grow us in Christ; even though it may have made us feel uncomfortable … as growth often does. In short, it was a word that chose us even though it may have seemed random/ arbitrary; one that was intended to guide us; motivate us; and remind us of how blessed we really are … despite our feelings of ennui at times and gravitation to the contrary.
My word for the year is “shine.” Now admittedly so, this word immediately made me ponder, “How will I become shinier this year?” or “What does it mean to shine?” Well, after much prayer and a plethora of holy consideration I began to think, “perhaps, it means that there are areas of my life where I need to become more willing to forgive; show mercy; extend grace; and example love? And perhaps it means that I need to be more thankful for the wonderful friends I have made at Spindale UMC and our community, instead of dwelling on the moments where life has turned me sideways?” In other words, perhaps I need to “shine” from an appreciative/ content posture as I consider the things God has blessed me with; instead of dwelling on the things that I don’t have. Hmmm …
Well, enough about me … how about you? What is your word for 2025 … & more importantly, how will it motivate you to see how God’s light is working in your life and how blessed you truly are? Selah!
Blessings & Peace,
Pastor Eric
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