the pastor's pen

  The Pastor’s Pen – November 2021

It strikes me that one of the emphases of our reading lately is developing a sense of urgency. That really hits home in our readings from last Sunday when the writer of Hebrews said in 3:15 and 4:7, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,” and “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

TODAY! Not tomorrow, TODAY! Do you think the writer is telling us that we shouldn’t put off to tomorrow what should be done today? Of course he is – but it isn’t just any task he’s talking about. The Hebrews author is telling us to get our eternal affairs in order TODAY. No one is guaranteed tomorrow, or even the next five minutes. Take care of the eternal business TODAY.

When you’re young, and even some older folks, think you’re bulletproof. Nothing bad can happen. You’re young, vibrant, with lots of life to live. Why worry about tomorrow – there will be time for that later. But listen to what Jesus says about having your priorities in the right place.

Luke 12:15-21

Then Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Jesus is calling us to believe in Him TODAY. He is calling us to nurture our faith TODAY. He invites us into an intimate relationship with Him TODAY. This is a message we all need to hear. But I’m particularly concerned about all those who are not attending to their faith walk with God. You’re letting the opportunities pass you by, and you never know when your life will end. I’m also concerned about our children and their opportunities to grow in faith. Yes, even their life can end without notice.

Please take notice TODAY! Please nurture your faith TODAY! No one knows what tomorrow will bring – if there is a tomorrow!

   In Christ,

   Pastor Emery