How do we give what we celebrate on Easter the proper place in our lives?
Easter is, of course, the celebration of Jesus’ victory over the power of sin and death, but what does that mean for us? Simply put, this amazing and wondrous victory won for us by Jesus means that we don’t have to fight against or fear the darkness of sin and death, but are free to live our lives as a “leap of faith” kind of people. Our lives are defined not by what we fear, nor by the effects of those things, but rather by what we do with our freedom. Our choices, our responses, our paths... these things all change and are made new because of our freedom in Christ.
Are you feeling weighed down with worry and sorrow? Perhaps, your 2020 has started more with a whimper than a celebratory bang?
Maybe you need a “Resurrection focused leap of faith.” Perhaps, that’s what we’re moving towards as a people who call Prospect UMC home.
What would it look like for the church to take a few “leaps of faith”?
What would it look like for you to take a Leap of Faith, the kind of leap that would be doomed to failure if not for the victory of Jesus?
I know…just asking the question makes some people nervous.
And daring to answer the question makes some people downright anxious.
“Must we leap?”
“Can’t we just shuffle a little?
“Do I actually have to change anything?”
But I truly believe that Prospect is ready for a leap year in its faith journey.
Our mortgage debt should creep below $100,000 in 2020 with light at the end of our
indebtedness tunnel.
We have a talented and energetic staff in place leading us to realize new visions of
God’s goodness in worship, children’s ministry, youth ministry, and administration.
Prayer teams have been birthed…Spring is coming, along with visions of prayer walks
and renewed community engagement.
Small groups and Bible studies are helping members Grow DEEP into God’s Word to
help prepare us to Reach WIDE with Jesus’ love.
And opportunities are springing up like Spring flowers for us to take a few leaps of faith for
Jesus.
After 50 years of effective, life-transforming ministry on Dunlap’s Ash Street, Prospect is looking ahead to the next 50 years, asking, “How can we minister to our community today?”
What about you…where have you heard the resurrected Jesus, the conqueror of the grave, whisper in your ear with an invitation to take a leap of faith of your own?
Let’s all dig in, pray for guidance, clarity and wisdom, and take the leap…all because we serve a God of resurrection life!
<><, Pastor Steve
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