Our senior pastor preaches most Sundays at our church. I love his messages. One of my favorite quotes from his sermons is posted on the wall by my desk: “The life of the witness should beautifully adorn the message of the Good News.” It reminds me to live a life that glorifies God.
Sometimes we are blessed with a message from our lead pastor and his are always good. He admits that vision and administration are his gifts, but we all benefit from his teaching. Other men from the congregation preach occasionally when the pastors are out of town or need a break.
Recently, a man from our church who is soon to retire from the military to go to Bible college, preached an edifying message from Titus chapter 3, verses 1-7 titled “Saved by Mercy, Heirs Through Grace.” The main thrust was that we can’t live for God by rule-keeping. We don’t bring anything to our salvation, so avoid getting trapped in appearances. It is God’s mercy and grace alone that change us from the inside out. Yet living for Christ is not easy. We can’t do it without God’s power in us through faith.
One statement from his sermon especially encouraged me. He reminded us that loving what God loves or allows in our lives is not always easy, but he went on, “If it seems hard, lean back and pray.”
When the going gets tough, I might complain or ask why. Maybe I’ll text a friend or sit down with Steve and talk it out. But true comfort comes when we lean on our loving Heavenly Father and tell Him all about it. So, when the bills are bigger than the income or the news isn’t good, do what that gentleman instructed: Lean back and pray!
A Goldilocks Life 