Unfinished Business

Dear Friends,

 

 

 

 

For the past four years Bonnie and I have been part of a team of volunteers who bring weekly worship services to residents of an assisted living community. About a month ago, we made the decision to end our involvement with this ministry at the end of the year in order to devote more time to our family. This weekend we will announce our decision to the residents who have been regular attendees.

Over the last month, we have tried to take care of any unfinished business. We contacted the Assisted Living Ministry leadership team to make sure they had time to find volunteers to replace us. We made sure the team members who have faithfully served alongside us were prepared to take on the added responsibility.

Remembering Jesus’ words, we have prayed God would send more volunteers to help the Assisted Living Ministry reach additional assisted living communities.

“The harvest is great, but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37 (NLT)

Now the only unfinished business is to announce our decision to the residents who have regularly attended the chapel service, letting them know that we are stepping away from involvement in the weekly services, but will continue to be available to offer smiles, hugs, and prayers.

It’s good to take care of unfinished business. As we reach the end of 2018, it may be a good time to search our hearts to see if there is any unfinished business that we need to take care of when it comes to our relationship with the Lord. Sometimes we can get so busy trying to put together the puzzle pieces of our lives that we forget to go to the One who sees the whole picture.

I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “It’s not about religion, it’s about a relationship.” There are people who attend church faithfully all their lives who never experience the joy that comes from having a true relationship with God in Jesus.

If you aren’t sure where you stand, I encourage you to consider three questions:

(1)  How often do you talk to God in Prayer? Once a month? Once a week? When you are perplexed or in trouble? When you are at peace? As you would chat with a friend?

(2)  How often do you read God’s Word? The more you know about God, the more important your relationship will become.

(3)  Does it get you down when you feel you have let God down? We all sin, the Bible tells us, and fall short of the Glory of God.

But if you want a stronger relationship with God, He wants a stronger relationship with you. So give yourselves to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run away from you. Come near to God, and God will come near to you. James 4:7-8a (ICB

It all begins with a commitment. The verse in James continues, You are sinners. So clean sin out of your lives. You are trying to follow God and the world at the same time. Make your thinking pure.

We cannot do it on our own. The puzzle pieces will never fit until we put our trust in the One whom God send to cement our relationship with him.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

Maybe it’s time to take care of unfinished business: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Bonnie and I take comfort in the following words from Isaiah: “I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” Isaiah 46:3b-4 (NLT)

Puzzle solved.

Blessings,

Your Friends in Christ