Pastor's January Article

Submitted by David on Mon, 12/19/2011 - 3:20pm
in

 I want thank all of you for your kindness and generosity throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons. Your friendship means a lot to me and my family. I am so glad I was able to celebrate another Christmas with you! I’m also looking forward to the new year and what it will bring! There are some great things beginning to happen here. The Vital Congregations group is finding ways that we can reach out and share Jesus with others! Hopefully you can be a part of these opportunities this year!


In January, it seems that my mind turns toward the possibilities of a new year. It is time to put the Christmas decorations back in the attic, or wherever we have them stored. Our Christmas celebrations are over and it is time to get things back to normal (although I’m never really sure what that is) and get back to life.

Jesus wants to be at the center of our lives and during December that seems easier. Jesus is everywhere in December! He is the focal point of many of the songs being played, a lot of the Christmas specials, and he is the center of our celebrations (I know that some believe Jesus is being taken out of Christmas. Yet, as I walk through stores in December hearing songs such as “Joy to the World,” “What Child Is This?” and others, I know that he still has a hold on the Christmas celebration).

Once the new year kicks in it is easy for Jesus to become like one of those Christmas decorations we put into storage. He is no longer at the center of our songs, our celebrations, or our lives. Sometimes we have good intentions and even make resolutions that this year is going to be different. We know we need Jesus to be at the center of our lives, but over time we find that he is slipped out of that center.

The sad realization is that before we even know it, we have drifted away. The drift happens quietly and subtly. Little by little we drift away and without even knowing it we’ve lost our center. Even the resolutions we’ve made have been left undone and we are floating through life without an anchor.

During our worship services in January I want to take a look at this “Drift” and how we can stay connected and centered in Jesus. The new year brings new possibilities. May our new year celebrations draw us closer to Jesus.

Peace,

David.

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