I awakened this morning, long before the alarm was set to go off. A new day was before me. Wiped some sleep from my eyes and took a shower. Put on my shirt and tie. Gathered my laptop and my keys. Slipped into the car and it started right up. Pulled into church as the early commuters were arriving to pile into carpool vans. I made coffee, three pots, one for visitors, one for the woodcutters, and one for Pastor Eric’s Bible Study. I settled into my desk, sipping my coffee and starting reading the Bible.
Sunday is coming. Every seven days Sunday arrives, and with it the people of God gather for worship. We come seeking words of comfort and grace. We come from brokenness, hoping for healing. Sunday is coming. Regardless of what is happening in the world, every seven days Sunday comes.
The Bible is open. A prayer has been said. A candle illuminates my office. The text is from Luke 19. The story of a rich man, a Chief Tax Collector. It is a story of grace. It is a Jesus story. For two thousand years, people have told this story. Children have heard this story. How will the story of Zacchaeus inform our lives this week?
Soon the sun will be up. The sun will greet me as it has every day for the past 57 years. This day is a blessing. Blessings come with responsibility. On this day, I will keep my heart open and look for opportunities to love my neighbor as myself.
In 72 days, there will be a new president in the Oval Office. This will be the 12th President in my lifetime. They come and go with some regularity.
I am quite confident that four years from now, I will wake up, wipe the sleep from my eyes, take a shower, put on a shirt and tie, and head off to my office at TLC. I expect those tired commuters will still be piling into carpool vans. I am certain that the sun will continue to rise for the next four years. Every day will be a blessing, and every day I will have the opportunity to love others.
Sunday is coming! Sunday is always a celebration of the resurrection. Sunday is all about new beginnings. Sunday is coming, just as it has come since the dawn of creation. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday.
There is a place for all at TLC. Cause mine is the Church where everybody’s welcome. I know it’s true cause I got through the door.
Keep smiling!
Pastor Jim
