I just watched an inspiring and challenging sermon by Mike Breaux at Southland Christian Church in Lexington, KY. You can watch it here.
As I watched this message, I found myself reflecting on the past decade. It’s hard for me to believe that my 20s are over and we’re into the 2nd decade of the 2000s. Time seems to speed up the older I get. When the new millenium began, I was just out of college, not yet married to Jill, and was beginning my first full-time ministry. Now, Jill and I have been married almost 9 years, we have two incredible sons with another baby on the way, have owned two homes, purchased two cars, and made a big move from Ohio to Georgia together. It’s almost like we’re adults!
But beyond all of this stuff that has happened in the past 10 years, I continually find myself searching for what’s next. I get so excited thinking about the future sometimes. I can’t wait to see our family grow up together. I get so excited to see what God has in store for us as we seek to live for Him and serve others each day. At the same time, I’m often saddened by people who live in the past. They miss out on daily opportunities that God has in store for them because of “the good ol’ days”. I find in the Bible that God encourages us to remember where we’ve come from, but to forge ahead as we trust in Him day by day. A lot of people don’t live like that. The past, whether it was good or bad, is more comfortable than an unknown future. It takes courage and faith to move ahead.
My prayer is that we can all move ahead. I pray that those who don’t have a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus, would take that first critical step. A future filled with hope and eternal joy in heaven starts with this one decision. I imagine that the “teen years” of this millenium will bring all sorts of trials and struggles. The question is “are we ready?” Are we ready to handle what lies ahead by having a deep faith that our heavenly Father loves us so much and seeks to guide us day by day? The alternative is living a life of fear and complacency hoping that things go back to the way they were. And that’s no way to live.
“Father, I pray for myself and all who read this to either start a relationship with You by accepting Jesus as Lord or to daily grow in our relationship with You. I know that there is no way in this world that I can get through the struggles of life without You guiding me each and every day. I pray that more and more people come to this conclusion as well. I pray this in Your incredible Son’s name. Amen.”
