Not the only thing.

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength. –Arnold Schwarzenegger


Living in Cleveland can be a challenge. Despite the many, many wonderful places and things we have going for us—the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a world-class orchestra and arts district (and Church in the Circle, of course)—sometimes it still feels like we have a big bull’s eye painted on our backs.

For instance, it’s been decades since the Cuyahoga River Incident; yet people still get their kicks (and our goat) by bringing up The Day the River Burned.

It has also been decades since Cleveland had a sports team “go all the way” to win a championship. Oh, sure, we have come close a few times. But seeing that sea of Royal Blue in celebration in Kansas City reminded us (again): We aren’t there. Yet. Just wait until next year. . . .

Sometimes, we just can’t get a break.

Thank goodness, in the eternal scheme of things, none of that matters. Not even a little bit.

When the Son of Man comes in all his glory (Matthew 25) and we stand before the Lord, there will be no mention made of sports teams or Super Bowl rings. We won’t be judged on our athletic prowess or even our musical skills. No, when the Christ returns, he will be interested in only one thing:

Did they love well? Did they give of themselves? Was the Kingdom of God enhanced by their time spent on earth? Did they follow in the Way of Jesus?

Monday Continue to hold your church leaders in prayer: pastors, support staff, all our committees and the trustees. Give thanks for their wisdom and leadership. Psalm 22:3-5

Tuesday Pray for your neighbors in the community in which you live. Pray for a unified vision among community leaders and schools. Titus 3:1-2

Wednesday Pray today for veterans, for the families of those who have given all in defense of our freedoms. Pray for peace. John 14:27

Thursday As you begin to prepare for Thanksgiving, reach out to someone who perhaps does not have anyone with whom to share a meal. Consider inviting someone to join you, or make plans to assist at a dinner for those in need, such as at St. Malachi. Matthew 25:31-40

Friday So often, our words may be the only beauty in someone’s day. As you go about your daily business, pay a few sincere compliments to those whom you encounter. Philippians 2:2

Saturday Pray for Christ’s joyful spirit to inhabit the Church in the Circle. How can you be a transmitter of joy? Thank God for his blessing on our lives together. Acts 2:42-47

Sunday What special offering this morning brings joy to your heart? If the message or the music touched you, write a note or email of gratitude. (And consider inviting a friend next Sunday to join you!) Ecclesiastes 3:11-12
Show class, have pride, and display character. If you do, winning takes care of itself. –Paul Bryant



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Spiritual dehydration

  Inside myself is a place where I live all alone, and that is where I renew my springs that never dry up. –Pearl S. Buck   The past two years (at least) have been exhausting, haven’t they? We had a pandemic that physically left us anxious and afraid. Our churches, where we go for nourishment, were closed or online longer than we wanted—and even now, we are careful. Politically, we have been divided against one another, and those wounds are still bleeding in many cases. We need to take care of ourselves. And it’s never been more difficult. What to do? How do I make time in our busy schedules—for me ? The simple answer: Whatever it takes. Remember when we would fly to a vacation destination? How the flight attendant would remind us that if the cabin loses pressure, the oxygen masks would drop down out of the ceiling? And that before we offer to help anyone else, we need to have our own masks in place ? Good advice for life in general. Today: Pause. Take inventory ...
Read more

What are you waiting for?

  The waiting is the hardest part. –Tom Petty   We spend a lot of time waiting. Waiting for the coffee to finish dripping. Waiting for the light to turn green. Waiting for the next available agent. It’s inevitable, really. We cannot always be first, and if we aren’t first, we’ll have to wait. But I think the more important thing is to ask yourself: How am I at waiting? Do I find myself getting anxious and fidgety? Am I worrying about things not going the way I really need them to go? Is my attitude rubbing off on people around me? The best way to wait is not to worry where we are in line, or gripe about wasted time. The best way to wait—is to be right there , in the moment of waiting. The disciples waited in fear; we wait in hope. Why not use this waiting time to pray? Welcome God’s presence into your heart. Ask God to bring you into the moment. Inquire what God would ask of you in this moment . Thank God for wisdom, patience, humor. . . . Take a d-e...
Read more

Don't be afraid.

Living is a great deal more than simply not dying. It is carrying out a mission, committing oneself to fashion some meaning that will attain eternity. –Leonardo Boff When asked, “What are you afraid of?” we offer a myriad of answers: snakes, spiders, flying in an airplane. But when pressed, many people, believers and non-believers alike, will admit that the one thing they fear most, at the core of their being, is death. Most of us enjoy having control over our lives, and frankly, we have very little control over, or way of knowing, how or when our earthly journey will end. And we have even fewer concrete answers about what will happen next. We have the profession of our faith and the occasional “crossing-over” story—but. No wonder death is near the top of that list. But sometimes, as I look around, it seems like people are less fearful about dying—and more afraid of living. Really cutting loose and enjoying our time together as human beings privileged to live in God’s am...
Read more