Dear Friends and Family,
“Many hands make light work.” Many hands sharing the workload helps ease everyone’s burden – especially on tough tasks. Over the past eight years, I can vouch for this saying’s validity. Hard to believe, but it’s been eight years since God brought us together for my ordination and installation as your pastor on July 9, 2017. All that’s been done to the glory of God and all that remains to be done – I thank you for your continued faithful support to Shauna and me. After all, “Many hands make light work.” Thank you!
As we hear Jesus preparing His 72 disciples to go into the world, He encouraged them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Luke 10:2) Jesus uses His people’s many hands to make lighter the work of reaching all mankind with His gospel. However, as He does so, He reminds them they’ll encounter difficult conditions, challenging people, and worse. But as they go, He also reminds them to trust Him – not worldly things – to get by, “Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.” (Luke 10:4)
The disciples trusted in Jesus’ promises. They were ecstatic when they returned saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” (Luke 10:17) I can see the smile on Jesus’ face upon hearing their excited voices! However, Jesus reminds them to rejoice not in what they’ve done, but rather in what’s to come. It’s great their work was successful; but the real prize will be when they enter God’s kingdom.
Shauna and I thank God for you, the many hands He’s blessed us with here at First Lutheran as He calls all of us into the world to proclaim His gospel. We also thank Him for reminding us that, despite frustrations and failings, He’s always by our side. Together, in faith, with Him leading, let us “rejoice that (our) names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim