This is from one of our leaders. I hope you will enjoy it.
Blessings,
Pastor Matt
It’s 8:30 am. My daughter’s school bus has just picked her up. I’m headed to a meeting I know I will most likely be late to. My two kiddos are in the back seat watching Kung Fu Panda 2 for what seems like the gazillionth time & I’m really hungry. No, not for a bagel. I was desperately hungry for my Fathers embrace in that moment. For His Word! I read while waiting for the bus but I wanted more. I decided to tune out kung fu, make better use of my drive time and listen to a Francis Chan podcast. Love me some Francis Chan. The original podcast I chose wouldn’t work so I just randomly picked one. This one happened to be on a study of Revelations 2. Jesus is speaking to the Church in Ephesus. It starts out wonderful! He says ” I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my names sake, and you have not grown weary” (Rev 2:2-3). If Jesus Would have stopped there, they’d be golden. Good to go. Forever blessed to continue His good works Right? But Jesus does not stop there. He goes on to say, “ But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent” (Rev 2:4-7). The Church of Ephesus did everything right, ALMOST. They did not take heed to Jesus & Jesus is always good on His word. Today in Turkey, where Ephesus is located, 99% of the population are Muslim and the region is devoid of Bible-based Christianity. Francis then went on to ask “What if Jesus wrote a letter to my church? What if He wrote a letter to me?”. That thought captivated me. I’ve been toying with different ideas on this blog, even started a couple. But when I decided to write tonight I knew exactly what I was writing on. God has kept this on the surface of my mind and heart all day.
Ok…What if Jesus wrote me a letter? Firstly, how stinking cool would that be?!! Secondly, Whaoh!
So, here it goes. Me being open and vulnerable and true. It really is the only way to be. If Jesus wrote to me, Audra Lynn Shuey.
Dear Audra,
Oh how I love you! I see you. All of you. I know your heart. I’ve counted all your tears. I know every hair on your head, to me you are beautiful. I know how much you truly care for others, concern yourself for their needs. I know how often you put others before yourself. I see your efforts. Nevertheless, I also see your fear. Why do you not truly trust me after all we’ve been through? Have I not told you If you have confidence in me that I will make you like a tree by the water that will never fear the heat and always bear fruit? Do you only believe half of my Word? Do you not truly believe that I will establish your plans if you commit to me? When you are afraid put your trust in me & me alone. My dear child, you cannot serve two masters. Confess & repent and I am faithful to forgive.
If you’re reading this you are most likely a good person. I am a good person. But am I doing everything I can to be holy? To live righteously? And, in my opinion, most importantly, am I doing it for the right reasons? Don’t hold your breath to get a letter in the mail from Heaven; but one day we will be in the presence of God. On that day I do not want to have to explain how the “power” of green paper kept me from reaching my full spiritual potential here on Earth. Tomorrow is a new day & I want to do everything I can to make sure my letter from Jesus ends right before “nonetheless”.
Ill end with some of my favorite scripture that seems appropriate…
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions. And give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ~Luke 12:32-34