Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hey everyone!
One of my favorite dad moves is to try and carry every single grocery bag from the car to the house in one trip. I did it a few weeks ago. It was a BIG grocery day, multiple stops, including Costco. So we had it all in our trunk: all the Costco stuff in a huge box, lots of grocery bags from other stops, and also my work bag, water jug, and coffee thermos. It was a haul.
But I was determined. I WILL do this in one trip. For some reason, the very idea of having to make multiple trips seemed like an egregious waste of time, one from which I would never recover. Plus, what an epic achievement it would be! The kids would be applauding and singing my praises, Portia would be SO impressed, and I'd probably have to post a pic on Instagram to mark the day, which would go viral, of course.
Instead, after spending a solid ten minutes trying to get everything situated, I got trapped between the car and the garage wall for a good while, I forgot that I also had to open the door to the house (I'm still not sure how I even did it), multiple items were dropped and a few ruined, my forearms had red lines on them for two days, my hands were blue from loss of blood, and to top it off: no one in my family even noticed.
I'm beginning to think it might not have been worth it.
That silly episode can be emblematic for how I handle lots of my life issues. We carry a lot of things unnecessarily, don't we? Shame from our past, guilt from our present, fear of our future, just to name a few. And like me trying to do it all myself with the groceries, I carry all of it -- all day, every day -- and end up living most of my life under constant management of this invisible weight.
It feels like Peter had something like this in mind when he wrote, "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:5-7)
What amazing advice.
First, Peter says, HUMBLE YOURSELF. Who was I kidding thinking I could carry all those groceries? And what did I even prove? Who did I impress, and why was I worried about being impressive anyway?
Peter says, calm down. Have an honest assessment of your limited capacity and your penchant for self-deception. Humble yourself. Right after this verse, Peter says the devil is like "a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." You can't do this alone. You not only need help, you need a Savior.
Then, Peter says, GIVE YOUR FEARS TO GOD. In fact, give alllllll your anxieties to Him. What does that mean? It can look like a lot of things, but I think it can be praying something simple like, "Lord, I'm lost here. I can't do this on my own. I need You."
And why should we do this? Peter gives us some Good News here. It's because God really "cares for you!" He's a good friend who only wants our good. God doesn't just want to fix things. He doesn't see you as a "project" or an "assignment" or a task to complete so He can check the box and move on. You're not a nuisance or a time-waste. He really cares.
Let's live like we really believe that. He cares for you, and he wants you to give everything you fear to Him. What a Savior!
One of my favorite dad moves is to try and carry every single grocery bag from the car to the house in one trip. I did it a few weeks ago. It was a BIG grocery day, multiple stops, including Costco. So we had it all in our trunk: all the Costco stuff in a huge box, lots of grocery bags from other stops, and also my work bag, water jug, and coffee thermos. It was a haul.
But I was determined. I WILL do this in one trip. For some reason, the very idea of having to make multiple trips seemed like an egregious waste of time, one from which I would never recover. Plus, what an epic achievement it would be! The kids would be applauding and singing my praises, Portia would be SO impressed, and I'd probably have to post a pic on Instagram to mark the day, which would go viral, of course.
Instead, after spending a solid ten minutes trying to get everything situated, I got trapped between the car and the garage wall for a good while, I forgot that I also had to open the door to the house (I'm still not sure how I even did it), multiple items were dropped and a few ruined, my forearms had red lines on them for two days, my hands were blue from loss of blood, and to top it off: no one in my family even noticed.
I'm beginning to think it might not have been worth it.
That silly episode can be emblematic for how I handle lots of my life issues. We carry a lot of things unnecessarily, don't we? Shame from our past, guilt from our present, fear of our future, just to name a few. And like me trying to do it all myself with the groceries, I carry all of it -- all day, every day -- and end up living most of my life under constant management of this invisible weight.
It feels like Peter had something like this in mind when he wrote, "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:5-7)
What amazing advice.
First, Peter says, HUMBLE YOURSELF. Who was I kidding thinking I could carry all those groceries? And what did I even prove? Who did I impress, and why was I worried about being impressive anyway?
Peter says, calm down. Have an honest assessment of your limited capacity and your penchant for self-deception. Humble yourself. Right after this verse, Peter says the devil is like "a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." You can't do this alone. You not only need help, you need a Savior.
Then, Peter says, GIVE YOUR FEARS TO GOD. In fact, give alllllll your anxieties to Him. What does that mean? It can look like a lot of things, but I think it can be praying something simple like, "Lord, I'm lost here. I can't do this on my own. I need You."
And why should we do this? Peter gives us some Good News here. It's because God really "cares for you!" He's a good friend who only wants our good. God doesn't just want to fix things. He doesn't see you as a "project" or an "assignment" or a task to complete so He can check the box and move on. You're not a nuisance or a time-waste. He really cares.
Let's live like we really believe that. He cares for you, and he wants you to give everything you fear to Him. What a Savior!
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UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES:
Saturday, May 14: Men's Breakfast
Men of all ages are invited to for a morning of fellowship, the Word, and of course good food. Alan Ray will bring the message, and Chick-fil-a breakfast will be served. Starts at 9 AM.
June 1-3: Vacation Bible School!
VBS is coming! By exploring God's awesomeness, kids form a rock-solid faith for the road ahead. On June 1-3 (Wednesday to Friday), from 9 AM-12 PM, kids (kindergarten to fifth grade) are invited to a week of faith, learning, singing, and fun! Click HERE for more info and to register (deadline is May 15).
Saturday, May 14: Men's Breakfast
Men of all ages are invited to for a morning of fellowship, the Word, and of course good food. Alan Ray will bring the message, and Chick-fil-a breakfast will be served. Starts at 9 AM.
June 1-3: Vacation Bible School!
VBS is coming! By exploring God's awesomeness, kids form a rock-solid faith for the road ahead. On June 1-3 (Wednesday to Friday), from 9 AM-12 PM, kids (kindergarten to fifth grade) are invited to a week of faith, learning, singing, and fun! Click HERE for more info and to register (deadline is May 15).
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What a sweet Mother's Day we had together last Sunday, right? I love this church.
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Every week at Meadows:
- Prayer Gathering on Mondays at 10 AM
- MYG and Connect on Wednesdays at 7 PM
- Prayer Gathering on Mondays at 10 AM
- MYG and Connect on Wednesdays at 7 PM
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This Sunday, we'll continue our series, What is a Christian?
So far, we've concluded that a Christian is a Beloved Child, and is part of a Beloved Community. We're born again, like little spiritual children, and placed into a family, the family of God.
The question we'll ask this week is, Now what? Now that we're unconditionally beloved and part of the family, what do we do, and what should we make our lives be about? For our next characteristic of all believers, we'll take a close look at what God wants us to center our lives around, and is one of our defining attributes.
Join us this week for Part 3 - Worshiper.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
So far, we've concluded that a Christian is a Beloved Child, and is part of a Beloved Community. We're born again, like little spiritual children, and placed into a family, the family of God.
The question we'll ask this week is, Now what? Now that we're unconditionally beloved and part of the family, what do we do, and what should we make our lives be about? For our next characteristic of all believers, we'll take a close look at what God wants us to center our lives around, and is one of our defining attributes.
Join us this week for Part 3 - Worshiper.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
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