Teaching Reaching and Healing, all with God's Love
Castle Rock, Colorado
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FAITH
LUTHERAN CHURCH Teaching Reaching and Healing, all with God's Love Castle Rock, Colorado |
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May 2008
SERVING AS A BEACON Here I am writing again from the “sand castle.” Jim and I have spent the last few months in Florida. We have enjoyed many days of seeing God’s creation in a different place – on the beach, by the river, and close to many waterways. Some of man’s creations we have enjoyed seeing are the east coast light houses. I think my favorite is the one in Key West. It’s light is something to behold, especially on a dark and dreary day. I like to imagine what it must look like to sailors and pirates who are frequently caught up in the stormy seas. Without the aid of the lighthouse, seafaring travelers would have a hard time figuring out where they are going. The only thing that keeps them on course, is faith. The only thing that can save them in times of troubled waters and turbulence is faith. This also holds true for Christians. A big difference however, is that seafaring travelers know what they are being saved from – saved from a ship wreck, saved from being devoured by sea creatures, or saved from drowning. So what about Christians? Scripture tells us that we are saved from being lost-separated from God-for eternity. His grace, saves us from hopelessness, from despair, from self-centeredness, from sin, and from purposelessness. Ok, but what if we consider a different question – “FOR what are we being saved?” Sailors and pirates probably have answers that relate to their life’s dreams. Sailors may want to be saved for more adventures on the sea and pleasant journeys home to be welcomed by their loved ones. Pirates may also want to be saved for more adventures on the sea, but I suspect they may also have other motives that relate to the need for treasures. How about Christians? How about God’s people here in this community at Faith Lutheran Church in Castle Rock? Look at Ephesians 2:8, 10: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith…For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” I believe that God saves us for the good things He has called us to accomplish. Just as God sent Christ into the world for a purpose, so He sends you and me into the world with a purpose as well. So I think that God is asking us to serve as beacons. Faith’s bright future depends in part on just this concept. I encourage you all to prayerfully consider how you might serve as a beacon. Who do you know who might need to see the light of hope? Who do you know who is hurting from physical pain or broken relationships? Who do you know who is faced with an overabundance of stress? Who do you know who is experiencing financial hardships (hmmm, how about the church itself?)? God’s promise for us never suggested that we would not encounter stormy seas. But every wave that rolls over us is washed with grace. Our seafaring journey is not always smooth, but we are able to travel with freedom and happiness on our way home. Faith is what sets our sails on the right course. *** Loving God, You have saved us by Your grace for a special purpose. You know the seas ahead, so lead us, Lord-then our journeys will be filled with joyful possibilities. Amen. Yours in Christ, Georgia Van Hoesen, Assistant to the Sr. Pastor
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