As of October 4th, my family and I have been at Parkview for a year. I said for a long time that the best way to get to know someone is to work with them. That being said, we have gotten to know you easily, as there are so many working at so many things. It is always good to hear from people outside the congregation that they know of things that are being done and are impressed with the church here at Parkview. Over the past year, we have experienced some loss, at least physically, by those who have moved on to be with Christ in “paradise”. We have also experienced some gain, by the witnessing of some who have accepted Christ for the first time in their lives. What a blessing we have to experience life together.
Living in a society of people, we all have relationships with others. Some of these naturally go deeper than others. Having experienced this, we all know that relationships bring good times and sometimes hardship. It is the concept that Paul talked to the early Christians about, when he said “when one member suffers, we all suffer” and “we give honor when honor is due.” Growing together as a church is unique in that we have God’s Spirit working among us to help us fit together as He has need. This makes our relationships different from any other relationships that we have in this life. It’s not always just in the closeness or common personal interests that we see that “special” nature of our relationships, but it should always be seen in purpose. Our common goal is to shine the light of the “good news” to the world around us. As our heritage is one of a common faith, so our purpose is one of a common message. While we may have individual functions in that effort, we allow God to use that individuality to blend together.
It is with this purpose that we press forward into another month, another year, intent to see the glory of God in what we present to the community and world around us. It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving and Christmas are closely upon us. With the same steady passing of time, we will soon be finished with our efforts at Parkview, in our families and in the world around us.
Some may have started a “Christmas club” account. That is when you set aside a specific amount of money each month to reserve for buying Christmas presents. If so, soon you will be using what is saved up, for the very purpose it was saved. It might be a good time to consider….Why were you saved? Is that how you are being used? Or has something gotten in the way? God has a purpose for each of us. He also has a purpose for all of us.
We might be thinking.. Wow, November already, I’ve got to get ready for the holidays! Better yet, what a “holy”day it will be when Christ returns! Ready?
