We have been focusing on John 3:16 and what this verse means. Mostly we had been focusing on God's role. God loved the world. God gave his one and only Son for whoever. Now the verse moves into our role. Whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. We believe.
Yesterday I showed a video of Team Hoyt. (At least I showed the video at the second service because the computer acted up at the first service. If you want to see the video I have it on my computer.) Team Hoyt is a father-and-son team who compete in marathons and triathlons. The amazing thing is that the son cannot walk. His father pushes him in a wheelchair during the races. The son says that is when he does not feel handicapped. In a few weeks they will run their 27th Boston Marathon. It is an inspiring story.
I compared this to what it means to believe in Jesus. When believing in Jesus is no longer just an idea in our minds and moves into our hearts we are trusting God to take us where he wants us to go. We become dependent on God. We need God's strength to move in this race of life. To fulfill our purpose in the world we need to believe God will take us where we need to go.
In a sense God becomes the driver of our life. We decide to go for a ride with God. As God drives we will see the beauty and wonder of his plan for our lives. We will begin to realize the world changing purpose he has planned for us. And we will notice the difference we can make in this world by God's strength.
This is not always an easy ride to take. I have fought with God several times about going different directions. He has taken me places I did not want to go. And I have even decided not to go his way from time to time, but in the end of those trips I usually recognize God's path was better than my own. So each day I try to allow him to drive and just go along for the ride.
Believing in Jesus means we place our lives in his hands and then move with his love and grace to transform this world. This is a high calling, but I believe.
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My attempt to connect each day with God and his people.
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About Me
- Pastor James
- I am married to the beautiful and talented Helen. We have two wonderful children that keep us on our toes. Together we pastor St. Paul's UMC in Williamsburg, Iowa, a congregation that is growing and following God's great adventure.
2 comments:
I love your analogy, James. The idea of riding along, looking at the scenery is wonderful. However, being a "knob turner" in life makes riding along a challenge for me. I want a plan and I want everyone to stick to that plan. No surprises, please! But of course, that's my plan, not God's. Even though there are times (like now)when I want to scream, "Are you watching the road?" my faith does allow me to put my trust in Him and enjoy the view...most of the time. It's a work in progress.
I am with you Jeanie,since I am such a planner. Sometimes when I am asking God about the road we're traveling I can almost hear God saying, "I am not limited to roads, my child. Which reminds me of Back to the Future when Doc says to Marty "Roads, we don't need roads where we are going."
Hang in there, Jeanie.
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