It's All Good
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose. [Romans 8:28]
Easter is what God does. As spectacularly wondrous as that first Easter Day was, Easter isn't just one day. Easter goes on. And on. It's what God does, starting here and now, bringing new life into the world continuously, graciously, never-endingly.
Old line theology has taught us that if we could only get our act together and believe what God wants us to believe and act the way God wants us to act, then God will grant us the big prize. We'll get rewarded, in the next life, with eternal heavenly bliss. And if we don't, we'd better watch out. The alternative will be way worse.
How do we square this with the universally embraced notion that God is love? The same God who loved his Son so much that even death would not, for him, be the final word, this same God loves us all enough to give us the very same gift. The God who is love offers the same spectacularly wondrous gift of resurrection life to all. He eagerly awaits our accepting of it, not by holding threat of punishment over us if we don't, but patiently, lovingly refraining from all compulsion-giving us freedom to accept or reject it-yet sovereignly making sure his ultimate purpose is fulfilled. That purpose has been fulfilled in the life, death and resurrection of his Son. The gift has been given. It has been offered to all. All we need do is turn to God to receive it, responding to the love that never fails, welcoming it into our lives-welcoming him into our lives-embracing the resurrection life given in Jesus Christ, and responding with gratitude and joy by living new lives of service here and now for his sake and glory.
So God's work is to do good, in us and through us. "All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." Our purpose is to participate in God's good work, enjoying God's living presence as we do it, noticing the goodness of what God is doing in us and through us and in his body, the church.
Notice a few good things that God is doing in our midst here at First Pres:
- Renewing our worship life together, stretching us yet bringing us all together every Sunday as we celebrate Easter each Lord's Day in new ways.
- Expanding our mission programs and activities in which we engage with each other in hands-on care for those in need while pondering bold new initiatives that will help bring resurrection life to people close by and across the globe.
- Building up vital educational ministry programs that are theologically and administratively grounded while engaging children, youth and adults as learners and volunteers, from a unified Sunday School program to new vibrant midweek programs to 10 delightful members of a youth confirmation class.
- Raising up hard-working elders, staff and volunteers who take time from busy schedules to deploy their God-given talents in myriad ways in the ministries of his body, the church, including coffee pourer-welcomer, proofreader, audio engineer, usher, meeter-greeter and many more.
- Deploying care-giving deacons who engage in ministries of compassion to those in need, serving faithfully as co-workers in the healing ministries of the living Christ today.
God is, indeed, alive and at work in the ministries and mission of First Pres. Say Yes to God's call to be part of it. New life is bursting forth all around us. Rejoice and be glad! It's Easter, here and now.
Grace and peace,
