“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8-9, NIV)
My favorite episodes of shows like Star Trek, are those episodes that deal with time. There was an episode in Star Trek Next Generation, where Data experiments with timing how long it takes for water to boil. Data realizes that no matter what he did, the water boils at the same time every time. Commander Riker suggests that he turns off his internal time mechanism and sees if the results are different.
Data realized that time does not change, yet our perception of time depends on our circumstances. When we are young, we think we have all the time in the world. When we are older, we begin to realize that we have less time in front of us than behind us. Even though in truth, we still have 24 hours every day that God gives us.
As I write this, June is about to end, meaning we are halfway through 2024. Also consider that at the end of July we are holding a family barbeque to celebrate the Tenth anniversary of the dedication of the Family Life Center. For those who were here ten years ago, it must have felt like yesterday. And if you have forgotten what happened ten years ago, go to our website, and click on the FLC tab. Halfway down the page is a video created ten years ago to show how the FLC came into existence. The dream has come true in that the FLC is not just a place for our youth to play and learn, as it is a home for the larger community to celebrate life’s milestones.
In the verses shown above, the people were becoming inpatient that Jesus had not yet returned as promised. Yet, Peter explains that God experiences time much differently than we do. As Barclay says, it is so easy to feel so small in the scheme of things and it is frustrating to see the slow progress humans are making. Even in our own situations, when we are in struggles, time drags on. However, when we are on the other side of those struggles, we realize it was not that long at all.
Time is an opportunity. God is giving us the time to get it right. Barclay says that every day given to us is a gift of mercy. Each day is an opportunity to reflect on where we have been, repent for our mistakes, and take steps that bring us more in line with God’s desires.
Finally, there is something wonderful in the thought that God does not wish anyone to perish, and so God is patient with us. In Ezekiel 18:23, God asks: “Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked... and not rather that they should turn from their ways and live?” Throughout scripture, there is this enduring hope that that somewhere and at some time God, who loves the world, will bring the entire world to himself.
There may be times when we think the world is spiraling out of control, yet there are times when we get a glimpse of hope. Know that the creation is experiencing birth pains, groaning in anticipation of what has been promised. Just think, where would we be if it wasn’t for the love of God?
This year was seen as a tumultuous year with a presidential election, rioting in the streets, and trouble brewing all around the world. Yet, we have hope that God is working in and trough us and around us to set what has gone wrong right again. May we have the courage to stand up for what we believe is right and true and to do what we can with the time God has given each one of us.
I thank God for you,
Pastor Kathy
“So, here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.” Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)
“ For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Romans 1:20
“So, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2
“I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2
“Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’?” Matthew 21:42
"Walk by the Spirit . . . led by the Spirit . . . live by the Spirit . . . keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:16, 25
“[Paul Gives Thanks to God] I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge.” -1 Corinthians 1:4-5
“Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
As we begin a new season in the church, it is good and right to think about what we mean when we pray “give us this day, our daily bread.” It is all about God’s provision. If we see God as a parent, we know that if we have a need, God will provide exactly what we need. The scripture verse above proves the case. Ask and it will be given to you. Knock and the door will be opened.
All children are precious to God. Psalm 139 speaks to God knowing us before we were born. At our conception we are “children of God.” We belong to God by way of grace. However, it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we know that we are children of God (John 1:12). To acknowledge that we are children of God is a sign that our rebirth from above has begun to take place in our lives. It says that we accept the fact that regardless of our age, we need and want to be parented by our heavenly Father.
