We are finally here and are so excited to be part of what God is going to do through us all. The recent events in our city show that there is a huge need for people to have hope. People look for hope, or, at the least, they want to find hope. So in their search they try out money, sex, drinking, drugs, anything looking like it offers an answer and an escape from their present situation. From the outset, the answer of, "all you need is Jesus" sounds pretty lame. Let's be honest, while the core of the answer is correct, the reality is that they need more than a verbal answer. They need to see Jesus and experience him. They need to see that he has offered hope to you and gives you strength and new life! A tall order I know, but we are called to continue his ministry here on earth through his strength. People can find hope when they experience that they are truly cared for, when others words of caring are matched by their actions of caring done with joy and love.
I know this takes time out of busy schedules for the day. Wouldn't you like someone to stop and actually "see" you? It doesn't take much to let people know you care: an encouraging word at the check out, helping someone load their vehicle, buying a stranger a coffee, picking up the phone to let someone know you are thinking about them, firing off a text or email with words of encouragement. It means a lot when we experience this - let's pay it forward to be the light of our community or, as our web address states, let's be the heart of Orangeville with Jesus being the core of our strength. When we do this, we'll gain currency with others so that we can share how Jesus is what they need for new life.
In His grip of grace,
PJ
