Posted on by Pastor Poet

Try Again – with Jesus!

As we are nearly two weeks into the new year, many of us have already abandoned the resolutions or commitments we made at the end of the last year.  

Did you know that January 10th is called, ‘National Quitters Day?’  

Ten days… ten days is all it takes for many of us to abandon a new goal. Wow.  I was shocked when I first learned this, but I am not surprised.  I’ve witnessed as much, firsthand and up-close at the local gym I attend.  It gets crowded near the beginning of the year but tapers off very quickly before Valentine’s day!  

So, I guess I’m writing this morning to encourage you to keep going!  Whatever good goals you’ve set for yourself – don’t quit!  Whatever God has laid on your heart to do – no matter how many times you’ve failed, and no matter how many obstacles you’ve faced – don’t give up!

When your motivation wanes, and you’re threatening to give up – remember that Jesus is with you and give it one more try!  If your goal is a good one – a God inspired one – try again – try again with Jesus! 

Remember when Peter went fishing all night and caught nothing?  Ready to chalk it up as failure, Peter was cleaning his nets and ready to call it a day.  But Jesus encouraged him to give it one more try!  

See what happened:

4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.

Luke 5:4–6

Now get up this morning and try again – this time with Jesus!! 

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Posted on by Pastor Poet

Pack Light? (3)

Years ago on a rare vacation, my wife booked a trip to one of those all-inclusive resorts in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  For me, it was an adventure in more than one way.  I had nothing to do with any of the planning, and she went all out!

Everything was included. Flights, ground transportation, food and drinks, entertainment, and a private butler/valet were prepared for us!  It was as amazing as you could imagine but initially I was unsettled!

Normally when we traveled, I was the one who carried the bags, but not this time!  Someone carried the bags, and had I let him, he would’ve unpacked them, ironed our clothes, put them away, and made our dinner reservations!

Needless to say, I was pretty uncomfortable with such attention and proceeded to resist and ended up in something of a tug-of-war over our bags.  In retrospect, I know how silly I must’ve appeared as a result of my antics, but I couldn’t get over the idea of someone desiring to serve us so attentively.

I guess it says something about me, huh? 

By the time we left, I had gotten less anxious about the service and actually got to know the young man who was helping us. I learned that he had gone through tremendous training to learn how to do his job and took great pride in his work and to refuse him was nearly an insult.

It may sound strange, but for those of us who struggle with accepting help or being served, I learned a valuable lesson.

How often do we resist God and refuse God’s gifts because having someone help is a sign of weakness or an uncomfortable privilege.  How often do we get in a tug-of-war with the Spirit when God calls us to unburden ourselves and rest? 

How often do we allow our pride to keep us from enjoying the abundant grace that God desires to lavish on us?  How often do we bear that which God invites us to surrender because of this overwhelming guilt or pride? 

Jesus said:

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28–30

I mean not to compare Jesus to a butler/valet but I do know that He is a burden-bearer and a heavy-load-sharer, and He continues to call us to rest.  

God wants us to work hard, I believe this to be true.  But God is also calling us to rest! Two things can be true at the same time – despite the tension.

 Can we surrender our pride and guilt – our egos and let God love us?  We may find that we can enjoy our journey a little more when we do!

I am still learning and getting better.  How about you?

Pack light!

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs, 

just adam