Thoughts from Pastor Tim - October 21

Dear Church Family –

“Most of the good in the world is done by ordinary people with an extraordinary commitment.”

“Life is made of a few extraordinary moments, a whole lot of ordinary days.”

What should ordinary Christians do on ordinary days to make an extraordinary difference?

How can we make the most of our ordinary days?

The war drags on in Ukraine.  Christians face severe persecution with significant increases reported in North Korea, Nigeria, and India.  Here in America we’ve come through 5 years of what seems like concentrated, continuous crises—COVID, two seriously contentious elections, serious and largely successful movements to reshape American society around gay and transgender ideology, the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a worsened abortion situation with the increase of chemical abortions, and with Kansas becoming a major abortion hub for abortion-seekers from out of state.

We rejoice in some very hopeful signs of a growing cultural rejection of men in women’s sports and gender-change surgeries for minors. 

But “crisis-fatigue” and “news callousness” are real.  The ordinary days take over.  Which raises a thoughtful question: What should a Christian do all the time, regardless of what is happening in the world?  In time of crisis or time of routine?  In the ordinary days or the extraordinary moments? 

Many Christians have a special calling from God.  But what is the ordinary calling of God for every Christian, everywhere, at all times?  It’s an intriguing question.  Last month, Sam Rainer answered that question in his regular blog.  Here’s his answer, I commend it to you.

Seven Expectations of Every Church Member that Should Never Change

1.     Worship – Saying “Yes” to God

2.     Grow – Make disciples who make disciples

3.     Serve – Reaching outward beyond yourself

4.     Give – Honoring God with your offering

5.     Pray – Prioritizing God’s will through prayer

6.     Seek unity – Keeping the main thing the main thing

7.     Sacrifice – Putting others before yourself

That’s how we make the most of our ordinary days.  That’s how our ordinary days make an extraordinary difference.  And that’s what has been a hallmark of Emmaus Church people for 150 years.

“Most of the good in the world is done by ordinary people with an extraordinary commitment.”

“Life is made of a few extraordinary moments, a whole lot of ordinary days.”

Because of Christ and for His people – Pastor Tim