Stay the Course

 

Dear readers,

Cool temps and an inch and a half of rain sums up the weather report here at beautiful Lake Ericson. I have noticed the leaves of the trees are beginning to show their fall colors. I renewed my driver’s license this past week, so I will have a new mug shot to carry with me. As a young man, I looked forward to this time of the year. I could always depend on getting shotgun shells for my birthday in preparation for the upcoming waterfowl season. Those days are past, but the memories remain.

 

I have had a few Sundays off from preaching while dealing with health issues, but plan to be back in the pulpit next Sunday. Retirement seems busier than what I envisioned a few years ago, but I have learned that when you commit to serving the Lord, He will continue to use you.

 

As followers of Jesus Christ, I don’t believe we have the option of sitting down to wait for His return. We are called to run the race set out before us until we reach heaven. Paul had these words for Timothy that we should take to heart.

 

“I solemnly charge you before God and Jesus Christ… Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

 

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:1-8).

 

Word has come this week of the passing of a lady whose life reflected Paul’s words to Timothy. May we all live our lives for Christ in this way.

 

For Him,

Pastor Jerry