Author: janicevance

In just a few weeks, six of our teens will be graduating from high school.  Eli Argo, Samuel Busbey, Conner Chichuk, Bailey Hughes, Nicole Lanius and JD McCracken. I know as a parent it is hard to believe that they have grown up so fast and have reached this point in their lives. We know you have loved them, encouraged them along the way and most importantly, taught them to love God and follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  Young people, as you transition into college, trade school or the work force, I encourage you to continue to be Christian examples to all you meet.  When I think of you, I am reminded of the words the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:5, “When I call to rembrance the genuine faith that is you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.”  As we have watched you grow and become active in serving the Walter Hill congregation in various ways, your faith is evident.  I encourage you to also remember the words Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:14 -15, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”  We are so proud of you and this great accomplishment in your lives.  We encourage you to always be faithful to the church which Christ gave His life for.

            I love the following adage: “Hindsight is 20/20”. There is a lot of truth in this as we review the past. Can you imagine the thoughts racing through the minds of our Lord’s disciples after they saw the risen Jesus that Sunday evening after His resurrection (John 20:19-20)? Although He had told them in advance about His death and resurrection, was it believable?

            Not too long before, these same disciples had witnessed Lazarus being raised from the dead and walking out of his tomb (John 11:43-44). They had seen the power Jesus had over the winds and the waves, disease, demons, and even death. But I believe they had also heard what Jesus told Martha in John 11:25 – “I am the resurrection and the life.” That Sunday evening there were ten glad apostles clearly seeing the personification of the resurrection – with 20/20 vision!

            Thankfully, they have shared what they witnessed with us by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We can see the risen Savior clearly through their eyes and believe that He is the resurrection and the life. That is where our hope lives!

            In 1977, brother Alton H. Howard wrote the words and music to the beautiful hymn “I Believe in Jesus”. The third verse clearly states what I tried to convey in my comments above:

            I believe that He spoke to dead Lazarus,

            And He said “unbind and set free;”

            I believe that He reigns up in heaven,

            And I believe that He is coming again.

            Yes, I believe in the One they called Jesus,

            I believe He died on Mount Calvary;

            And I believe that the tomb was found empty

            And I believe that He’s the answer for me.

“I’m busy.” How often does that singular reason keep us from doing something? A key to overcoming the “busy beast” is finding intentionality. Being intentional takes discipline and thought, but it frees us from becoming slaves to our schedules. Here are a few questions that help us be intentional:

1. Does this matter? Always contemplate an opportunity’s value and importance. Certain things just don’t deserve our valuable time on a regular basis (mindlessly scrolling social media, etc.). Asking what is important highlights our most necessary tasks but also reveals our biggest priorities. However, remember there are times we need things that aren’t pressing or important that give us rest.

2. Who does this benefit? This question helps us avoid selfishness and self-neglect. There are many times we become unbalanced because we get carried away giving too much time to our career, to ourselves, to our children, to a problem, or to others––to the determent of other things that matter. When we serve people and priorities in balance, we are practicing intentionality.

3. What’s missing? If you have a deficiency in your diet, you ask, “What am I not getting?” and then you supplement. Being intentional about spending your energy forces us to make sure we are checking all the boxes on what matters and is necessary. By surveying what all you are doing, you’ll probably see what you are missing.

4. Where does godliness fit? As a Christian, this is more reminder than question. Don’t ask, “Where does God fit?” If that is the question, the answer can easily become a frame of time (think 8:30 or 10 on Sunday morning). Instead, the quality of godliness should show up across our week and it demands we also spend time with God. Being intentional on how your “Christian light” shines in your work/school week, in your leisure time, in your most pressing and least pressing tasks is a must for followers of Jesus.