We are so pleased to welcome Corey Lange as he begins his 2 year term as our intern for children, youth and family. Please welcome him as he is installed at our October 2nd worship services. Corey is starting his first year as a student at Luther Seminary. Corey will be helping to build our Sunday School program and our Junior High and Senior High youth ministry program.
Here in the U.S. we all talk about freedoms and our ability to make decisions for ourselves and our own lives. I am currently reading a book entitled, “Our Lives are Not Our Own” by Rochelle Melander and Harold Eppley. In this book they suggest, and I would like to agree, that there are at least three things none of us can do anything about. First, none of us had anything to do with the fact that we were born. Second, we will all die. And third, no matter what journey we take in our lives, God always loves us.
I would encourage anyone to read this delightful book. It is inexpensive (less than $10) and it is short (less than 100 pages). This book helps to show the many ways our
lives are not our own. Instead the authors suggest that, as Christians, we belong to Christ and as a result our lives are not our own.
Paul in his letter to the Galatians suggests that since we were baptized into Christ, we have clothed ourselves with Christ (Gal 3:27). In other words, we die to ourselves and put on Christ and that is what people see. As a result the decisions we make each day reflect upon Christ. As Christians we are accountable for the choices we make. These choices, even though the world would have us believe otherwise, impact all those we come in contact with as well as God. Think about the person who chooses to drink too many drinks thinking I am not harming anyone but myself. It is my own body, I can do what I choose. First, as Christians we have already put on Christ, so this affects the way people see Christ through us. Next, when we go out and drive drunk, we may impact the lives of others, even though we did not intend to. And then when we go home our actions and attitudes or the resulting fall-out from those things impact all those who live with or near us.
One thing I love about being Christian is that it reminds me daily that I am part of a community that is bigger than me and even bigger than my family. We are all linked together by the choices we make. This fall with the elections coming I encourage you to investigate issues and to make good Christian choices. Who will make choices for the good of the neighborhood? As a concerned citizen you could contact your elected officials. Please let them know what your hopes for their time in office are and what you hope they will accomplish while in office. This fall as you think about the many ways you have been blessed by your relationship with Christ, find one way to help out a neighbor in need or choose to help in a new way at church. In so doing we discover that our lives are not our own, they are really Christ’s, and what we do does indeed matter. Say YES to God!
Blessings to you, Pastor Dan.