Wednesday Meditation, Novemer 15, 2023 (Psalm 90:4)
For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.
We are very focused on today. Everything that we do is about now. This is so more now than ever before because life has become difficult and unbearable. Hope is no longer a part of reality, but a dream that we may put away for tomorrow when things are better. Life was not always like this. Time was not just about now. Time included past, present and future. For everyone today’s burden is full of worries. Our present and future are fused together. Today’s uncertainties and fears oppress tomorrow’s hope in ways that we walk with minds full of worries today, leaving no room to think of past and future.
In many ways, being faithful to God has not relieved us from today’s worries. We pray to God for our worries. We trust our God with our fears. Yet, for most of us, fear and worries are so real that the statement, ‘perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18)’ is not our living reality, but a vague hope. In a way we stick more with Matthew 6:34 (So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.) with fear and trembling.
It is important for us to take our eyes off in order to become part of God’s vision. If indeed we are God’s people, God has not abandoned us. God has been leading us all along according to God’s will. However, it is hard to see God’s will for each one of us when we are so consumed with today’s affairs. As we get forced into worrying more and more about today because we do not know what will come tomorrow, we become like children focusing only on now and forgetting God’s grace that led me this far, is with me and will guide me tomorrow.
Psalmist is right. God’s time is very different from our time. God’s time, eternity, is present in our time, but we cannot see, live in and enjoy it because we are overwhelmed with the here and now. Our focus on “here and now” blinds us from seeing God’s eternity of always present. We forget God’s love for us when we are filled with today's worries. Indeed our fears and worries separate us from the hope that was given to us in Christ Jesus and that is fortifying us today.
So what purpose God has given you? How do you find this purpose God instilled in you at your baptism? In God’s plan, you are given life to glorify and enjoy God now and always. A Christian’s purpose in life is being fulfilled when each person finds ways to glorify and enjoy God in one’s own context. It is another way of saying that in all circumstances, Christians love God and neighbours. Loving God is often expressed through attending worship, singing praises to God, praying to God and doing our best to be righteous. Loving neighbours is not as easy because my struggle makes me focus on my fears and worries rather than looking after the needs of others.
In every situation, however, to lift up our mind’s eyes to see that God’s will is different than mine, God’s reason of sending me to this very place I am at is different than my reasons for coming here and God’s purpose is being accomplished in and through my presence in spite of my concerns for my well being, helps us to reach out for God’s purpose in me. This is why Christians are always searching for what God requires of me rather than what I need. The difference between Christians and non-Christians is nothing more than Christians’ capacity to look beyond their own fears and worries and participating in God’s ministry in this world.
Activities Saturday:
Baking and Fun for children 1:30 pm
Calling all children for Saturdays at 1:30 pm! Come and learn to bake or decorate cookies! You get to eat them, too, when they are ready. We will also do some games and crafts. Everyone is invited! People of all ages with hearts like children are welcome, too!
Watercolour Drawing
This Saturday, we will skip watercolour drawing. We are cancelling this time of drawing together for Saturday, November 11th only. We will resume the water colour drawing time on Saturday, November 18.
Sunday Activities:
Sunday morning worship: 10:30 am
Youth and Young Adults: After service and refreshments
Christmas Concert on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 2:30 pm.
This is our reaching out concert. We hope that you will come out and enjoy this Christmas Concert. Invite your family, friends and neighbours. The House of Light Band has been working hard to make this concert possible.
Please advertise this event widely and be part of this exciting concert.
December Schedule
Sunday, December 3 at 10:30 am
1st Sunday of Advent – Communion Sunday
Sunday, December 10 at 10:30 am
2nd Sunday of Advent – Christmas Tree Decoration Sunday
Saturday, December 16 at 5:30 pm – Christmas Turkey Dinner
Cost: $25/person
Sunday, December 17 at 10 – 3d Sunday of Advent – Christmas Carols Sunday
Sunday, December 17 at 2:30 pm: Christmas Carols Singalong - Freewill donations/non-perishable food items
Will also celebrate birthdays in December
Sunday, December 24 at 10:30 am – Christmas Eve Service
Sunday, December 24 at 8 pm – Christmas Eve Evening Service
Sunday, December 25 at 11 am – Christmas Service with lunch
Sunday, December 31 at 10:30 am – New Year’s Service
Looking for volunteers
Cookie bakers for Sunday refreshments
Knitters (beginners welcome) for church blankets
Leaders to help run youth programs
Helpers for Christmas Turkey Dinner
Cooks for Friday evening programs and Christmas Lunch
We are also looking for people to join Friday afternoon devotion and exercise groups
