Hey Church!
My family is currently in the midst of one of those “when it rains, it pours” seasons of life. You know the kind: when you’ve just paid off the higher-than-usual credit card balance (from last month’s unexpected expenses) and suddenly both cars require expensive repairs, the kids need $500 in back-to-school supplies, car insurance premiums and other past-due bills come due, and the house A/C dies and needs to be replaced. I have no doubt that you all have been there a time or two as well!
How we respond during the “rainy” seasons of life can be a good litmus test for us and I’m convinced that’s why God allows them to come. It is during these times, when we are stripped of our earthly comforts, that we can (however imperfectly) measure the purity of our faith. Without the usual provisions that prop us up and make us feel comfortable, safe, and close to God, we are forced to call those things idols and remember from where our true help comes.
Providentially, our first song this Sunday is “Faithful Now” by Vertical Worship, which is a timely reminder that God was faithful before and He’ll be faithful now. Next, we will sing “Do It Again,” in which we will declare in faith, “I’ve seen you move the mountains and I believe I’ll see you do it again.” Then we will reflect on the greatness of our God in “No One Higher,” singing, “Our Father, Creator, You hold our hearts together. There’s no one higher than You.” Finally, our closing song is “Jireh” (which means “God who sees/provides”), in which we will sing, “If he dresses the lilies in beauty and splendor, how much more will he clothe you? If he watches over every sparrow, how much more does He love you? I’m already loved, I’m already chosen. I know who I am, I know what You’ve spoken. I’m already loved more than I could imagine and that is enough.”
This weekend, reflect on all that God has provided for you in Christ. Even if the worst should happen in this life, your greatest treasures are those things that you did not earn and therefore cannot lose. With His lavish goodness in mind, let your heart be content to say, “that is enough.”
Your brother,
Ryan