We, as 21st century/American/Dunlapian people have MUCH to be positive about! We are living in a time and place where our needs are being met to an unprecedented degree. Yet the news we seem to focus more on what’s wrong than what’s right. Our nation’s political climate gives us a negative vibe. Fighting with an insurance company over needed treatment directs our focus to what’s wrong with healthcare. Our neighbor’s social media rant rubs us the wrong way. The Cubs not doing anything meaningful in the offseason adds to our frustration. And the list goes on…
Before long…we aren’t as “positive” as we used to be. And it shows!
As my fellow pastor, Shane Bishop, has written, “If everything need to go ‘your way’ for you to be happy, you will never be happy. And when you are happy, you won’t be happy for very long. Let’s face it, we live in a fallen world, control is an illusion and things are sometimes really hard. People do dumb (things), bad stuff happen, relationships get cross threaded and folks seldom do what you want them to do. The key to happiness is to lay aside immature and unrealistic aspirations for your life and simple learn to love, enjoy and find meaning in what is in front of you.”
And what is the most positive thing we have in our lives, Prospect?
Jesus!
As we are journeying through the book of Mark on Sunday mornings, I’m leaning into the positive touch He brings to every encounter recorded in this reMARKable telling of Jesus’ life and ministry.
Happy people focus on what they have. Unhappy people obsess about what they don’t have. Christians need to focus on who they have in their lives…because we have Jesus: the Word with Flesh, creation’s Savior, our Redeemer, the Healer of brokenness, the perfect and righteous King, and Friend of the fallen/disappointed.
And that alone should make us the most positive people in the world.
As you consider your relationship with Jesus, and consider what you would tell a friend or neighbor who asks you about Prospect, tell them about the wonderful things going on in the life of our church.
Are there areas where we need to refocus and reenergize ourselves? Certainly…and I’m grateful for the efforts of our Vision Team that’s leading us in that direction. But let’s also celebrate the excellent worship (in 2 distinct and wonderful styles), a food pantry that serves around 20 families each month, Bible study classes where children, youth and adults are learning about the amazing God we know in Jesus, a beautiful facility that not only houses our church ministries but also serves as a host site for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and aftercare program, blood drives and much more.
And beyond that…let’s find our Positivity in the fact that we get to meet Jesus every time we walk through the doors of Prospect…and the fact that our Jesus goes with us every time we head back out into the world to do life in his name.
So be positive today!
Count your blessings!
Lean into what is beautiful, good and life-giving.
Lean into Jesus!
There simply is no downside…
><, Pastor Steve
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