Will it matter in 100 years? This is the question I began to ask myself a little over 30 years ago when I was tangled in the responsibilities of my corporate job whose atmosphere was showing itself more and more to be at cross-purposes with the life I desired, the life I wanted to live. This was a new life-shape just being formed in my thinking because … I had begun to know the Lord Jesus Christ.
I continued to do my job well, but it was a true mind-shift to begin to understand that my identity and well-being were not tied to what my coworkers, my immediate boss, or the big boss thought of me. What mattered was if I was doing my work with a different attitude – one of gratitude for the Lord’s provision through this job; to act with kindness and respect, even when bosses and coworkers were not kind to me, because they too were made in the image of God! God cares for them and so should I. I remember my heart being pricked again and again when my old ways of thinking would crop up and engage my tongue. Honestly, it still happens sometimes. Ugh. The only course of action is to seek to know more, know better, of God’s loving pursuit and rescue. And to surround myself with people who know those truths and speak truth and live truth.
Will it matter in 100 years? It’s still a good question. The Lord has surrounded me with people who answer that sometimes-forgotten question with their actions, their prayers, their encouragement, their kindnesses. Yes, how we live right now, today, this week, will make a difference in 100 years … and in eternity!
By the end of June our church will be diving into the last four chapters of the Book of Romans (chapters 13-16). I want to encourage you between now and then to pull out your Bible and read the first 12 chapters. However today let’s read a portion of chapter 12. Your heart will be strengthened and softened. I wonder if you won’t agree with me that Romans 12.9-21 are our “how-to” for however many years the Lord has for each of us to impact others for His glory and their salvation!
Romans 12.9-21
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
At PCC, our mission is a call to engage as representatives of Jesus Christ …We are passionately connecting our community to Jesus so God is glorified and lives are changed forever!
If you agree with that mission statement and want to come on mission with us, let’s explore that together at our next Missional Partner class – Sunday afternoon, June 22, 3-5pm at the church. A light meal will be provided and your RSVP (by replying to this email) will help our planning. Hope to see you there.
Blessings, Colleen