Be Of Good Courage Series

Not too long ago, only months ago in fact, we were a church looking for a new home. We have shared the many stories of prayer and seeking God’s direction for our future. God led us from San Juan Capistrano, to Mission Viejo, to Laguna Niguel and eventually to Aliso Viejo to, of all places, Temple Beth El. How fitting that our church would worship God through Jesus Christ in a Jewish temple. After all, that’s where Jesus taught and preached, it’s where Peter preached on Pentecost, it’s where the disciples and apostles spent much of their time. I remember the first time I walked into this Sanctuary. I was hesitant and afraid, yet I knew God’s promise, “Be of strength and good courage.” “This is so different,” I thought. “The sanctuary is not the same at all. It’s certainly not what we’re used to, what if no one comes with us to worship?’ Hesitation and fear. “Is this where you want us to worship for the next two years as we grow Lord,” I asked? So I wandered around this sanctuary from one end to the other praying. There was so much work to be done. After all, this was a brand new journey. As I left, I turned around and saw a picture hanging on the outside wall of the sanctuary, right where it is now. Written in Hebrew, translated in English are these words; “The journey began with hesitation…with fear and with hope. No journey’s destination is known. We are asked to become as Sarah and Abraham. Strength and courage are the foundation we need, to set out…..to continue….and to ultimately complete our journeys.”

Be of strength and good courage. No journey’s destination is known. Think of your own life and the decisions you are facing. Do you trust that God is directing you? Or do you feel separated for some reason. Is there a behavior that is holding you back, a sacrifice you must make if you will? God is asking each of us for our all, scripture is full of references throughout the Old and New Testaments.

Are you facing a particular challenge? Has the economy beat you down? Are you struggling with an addiction or a relationship problem? Be of strength and good courage. Nothing is too big to bring to God, nor is anything too small. One of the things I have noticed in my own life is that we grow through adversity. When we endure, when we trust that God will lead us through the unknown, there is always a story of faith on the other side. Once again this past week I had the honor of being with a group of friends from Atria, an assisted living community in San Juan Capistrano. We meet every Wednesday afternoon to share stories of faith. As we went around the table this week, I heard amazing stories of trust, faith and endurance during a time in each of their lives when they were challenged, when they faced a major illness, a major change or a loss in their lives. And I found in each case, there were two common threads. First, each person had such a story, and second, each person relied on their faith in God through Jesus Christ to help them get through it. And do you know what? They got through it, and we will too.