kvanover@twc.com

What Could Go Wrong?

Our church is going through a re-structuring process. It’s been called a merger. It’s been called an adoption.  What it’s not been called is “easy”. Without going into all the details, there will be a vote among the congregation to confirm whether we will merge with another church. Many people, including myself, have woulda-coulda-shoulda-ed the situation to death. As a result, there’s a dark cloud over the church. And that really sucks because church had been my safe place, a place where the normal rules of the world don’t apply, a drama-free zone. I guess that I was being naive in my thoughts because we are sinners, being led by sinners, in a sinful, fallen world. Under those circumstances, one of my friends asked, “What could go wrong?”

It’s times like this when I’m inspired by Ecclesiastes 3, 1-8.

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

I’m also inspired when I realize that Jesus is still on the throne. While we have to deal with sin, he’s the reason we don’t have to live under its power. When we seek his will, not our own wills, things work out for the best. It all belongs to Jesus anyway.

Everything New

I’m tired. I’m tired of seeing bad things happen. And I bet that I’m not the only one. Anyone who has a tv or a computer knows that bad things happen. It’s all over the news: a shooting here, a disaster there. I think sometimes we become numb to bad news. It’s so commonplace that I don’t even give it much thought at times. However, something happened to me a few days ago that got my attention. It got my attention in the simple and prefect way that only God can.

I was travelling down a road that runs parallel to I-75 when I noticed something in my peripheral. In the small patch of grass that separated my road from the interstate was small, beagle pup. By the size of his skinny frame, he was no doubt searching for some food in the few bags of garbage that people had littered from their cars. Now, I’m from the country. I am not proud to say that I’m quite accustomed to seeing stray dogs. Furthermore, I generally don’t have a bleeding heart for dogs. However, this time was different. This was a pup, and he was starving. I could see that by his protruding bones. I could also see that he’d never make across six lanes of I-75. If decided to cross my road, his chances weren’t much better. The road I was on lead to a shopping center…..and it was Christmastime.

So, the only place I could park is a church on the other side of the road from the dog. I crossed four lanes of Christmastime traffic to save the dog. Oh yeah, it was raining too. However, when I got close enough to call him, he took off like Clark Griswold’s sled. After being thoroughly out-ran by a beagle pup, I had to cross the same four lanes of traffic back to my truck. I then drove to the interstate where I met him on the exit ramp. However, there was no room to pull off and several vehicles were behind me. I had to leave him, and by the time I circled back, he was gone. I made a couple of passes to look for him, but there was no sign of him: alive or dead.

I’m somewhat bummed. I still have no idea what happened to the little guy. But two things come to mind. One is 1 Corinthians 13:13  “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love”. This verse applies to more than just lost dogs. It applies to all of the bad things that happen in this world. 

The second thing that comes to mind is the song lyric by the band Crowder: “Earth has no sorrow that heaven can’t cure”. It too applies to all of the bad things that happen in this world. We understand that bad things happen, and we should be righteously angry when they happen. But we also understand that God is making everything flawless, just, and NEW, …..so, someday we won’t have to put up with this crap.

I’m ending all my posts with an invitation to accept Jesus. If you would like to accept Jesus, simply pray the following prayer or one like it: “Dear Lord, I’m a sinner. I acknowledge that You sent Your son, Jesus, to die for my sins. I humbly accept Your son, Jesus, and I now further acknowledge that I am forgiven of my past sins, my present sins, and my future sins.” If you prayed that simple prayer, you are saved. Now, you need to follow Jesus. Start reading your Bible. I would suggest starting with Matthew, reading all of the New Testament, then reading the Old Testament. Also, find a good church. Christianity was never meant to be done alone. You need to be in community with other believers.