Who We Are

Hello Friends!

If your like me, I am sure that you have had more than enough of this COVID pandemic and all that it has wrought upon the world. In many ways though, this pandemic has revealed the indomitable human spirit. We have battled through illness, lockdowns, mandates and misinformation. We are a hearty bunch to be sure! In other ways however, it has also revealed the incredibly dark heart that humanity is stricken with. I believe part of that dark heart is pessimism and hopelessness. They are like the COVID virus in many ways. They are unseen, wide-spread and potentially life-threatening!

I recently had a conversation with a Christian individual who admittedly struggles with how, as a follower of Jesus, they are to present themselves as one who stands for truth and that which is good and right. We both agreed that in these present days, we face a very tough assignment.

I want to recap the points of that conversation and share them with you. I believe they offer valuable wisdom for both Christians (and maybe even non-Christians). These are four ideals that I strive to live by:

1. Preach what you stand for, not what you stand against. Admittedly, this is advice that would seem to be best given to a Pastor. However, if your honest, you preach a message everyday. What is the message you send out and how can you change it to represent what you stand for rather than what you stand against? Do you instill hope and peace in others, or do you induce fear and distrust?

2. We ought to surround ourselves with people who will call us to a higher standard. In a Christian context, this can seem a bit divisive. After all, we are called to unity, right? Yes, we are. What I am referring to however, is the character of the people we live in community with. For example, are they FAITH-filled, HOPE-filled and JOY-filled people? Or, are they pessimistic and untrusting people? Do they fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20), or do they spend their precious time promoting rebellion and division? I often teach my children that "we are who we spend our time with". Food for thought!

3. Keep your hope and faith squarely in Jesus. In Ephesians 6:12-18, Paul warns against the principalities, powers and rulers of darkness. Why? In light of today's challenges, I'd suggest that it's because we often are so easily distracted from that which Jesus called us to. When you are faced with uncertainty, do you find yourself becoming anxious and agitated? Or, do you choose to remember and trust that God is sovereign over all of Creation and He has already ordained how His story ends? 

4. We are sojourners in a foreign land. In Hebrews 11:13-16, the author writes of the faith of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) during their great hardships. They are referred to in this scripture as "strangers and exiles". They had no hope to return to the land of Ur and what they knew of yesterday. Rather, they longed for the Heaven where the Father resides. They recognized that this earth was not their final destination. They understood that something more awaited them. Are you so tied to this life that you struggle to see beyond it? Or, are you so anticipating the place set aside for you in Heaven (John 14:3), that you refuse to be sidetracked?

I sincerely hope that you find encouragement in this post. The Lord knows we need it!

Thanks for reading,

Patrick