The Second Friday in January!
How's your new year going? Are you off to a good start? Have you thought about and began striving toward your "More in 2024"?
If you are like most folks, many, if not all, of your "resolutions" have already been broken. Or they are in the process of waning, diminishing, and disappearing away. Several years ago, Strava, a company with an App that is a fitness tracker, took a survey on when people quit their "new year" goals. Surprisingly, it is not in June or July. It is not even months within the year. It is the second Friday of January, which was yesterday. Only two weeks! I found this interesting but sadly not shocked. Perseverance is often something that is lacking.
I want to challenge each of us to be encouragers to one another. Let us reach out, show care and concern, and lift each other up as we go through the crazy challenges in our journey of life. Let us love one another both in words and in actions. And let our focus, desire, and energy come from the strength of our faith and love of our Lord. Paul says it best in his letter to the Church in Philippi:
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." And then he says, "All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained." (Philippians 3:12-16 NIV)
As we strive to be our best and "More in 2024", let us press on, persevere, and strive for that which God wants for each of us. And let us not do it alone, but encourage one another, lifting up, assisting, and loving all along the way. We have opportunities to do that now. This week is going to be extremely bitterly cold. Why not check on your friends and your neighbors, especially those who are elderly or alone. And have the disserentment to look beyond just words to see if there is a real need. If so, help fill it. Be a difference maker. It can start with a simple phone call or knock on the door.
I hope you will join us this Sunday at FCC. We will begin a series of messages from the book of James. James is the half brother of Jesus. His epistle (letter) is often referred to as the new Christians handbook focusing on practical action in a life of faith. Then following worship we will have our first potluck of the year, our annual Chili Cookoff. Please join us for this special day. Finally, I want to thank and acknowledge Jon Acuff, my friend and neighbor, who shared with me about the Strava survey. Jon is a great speaker, writer, husband, dad, and strong brother in Christ.
Remember, our walk with the Lord is a Journey. However, it is a Journey that is worth it. And one that we can encourage one another along the way. I hope to see you Sunday...
and as Always Remember...
YOU ARE LOVED!
Pastor Lonnie
"More in 2024"
(You can reach Pastor Lonnie by calling or text 615-496-2502 or send an email to lonniecastle@gmail.com)