The book of Deuteronomy is largely devoted to preparing the people of Israel to finally cross over the Jordan River and begin to possess the land they had been given. Moses spends that book recapping where they’ve been. He addresses the struggles they’ve had, along with the victories. He rehearses their worst moments and their best. All in an attempt to put what was about to happen next into perspective.
They are about the finally receive the promises God had made so long ago to Abraham and Sarah. Freed from slavery less than forty years ago, they had spent their desert wanderings being prepared to receive what God intended to give them. That story was complicated and filled with many twists and turns they most likely didn’t want to be reminded of.
The people had moments where they rejected the leaders and God and tried to do their own thing. They also had moments where they realized their sins and failings and delighted God’s heart by confession and repentance. Deuteronomy is a brutally honest and compelling story of God’s faithfulness and our sin and rebellion. We are those people. Different places, different circumstances, but we are those people. Every time. That’s just how humans are.
We always stand in need of confession and repentance before God and one another.
As we move into our new facility this Sunday, it is important to note that we, too, will need to take stock of what the past four years have meant to us. I joined you all less than three years ago, yet so much has transpired! We will also need to take stock of how we have gotten here. There have been beautiful moments when people moved into a deeper walk of faith as a result of this Church body. There have also been moments where we have clobbered one another (unintentionally) as we sought to ‘do what needed to be done’. We are sinners, that is true. Not a shocker at all. But all the more this serves as a reminder for us to not take for granted prioritizing relationships over projects, and faithfulness over ‘success no matter what.’
This weekend marks a turning point for our ministry. Our regular presence in one space will make many aspects of our mission work simpler. We will need time and patience to get used to the new space and discover the best way to use it. We have next-door neighbors to account for, so we can’t just do whatever we want, whenever we want. But we do have a permanent facility. This is a gift from God and we are right to celebrate and stare in wonder as we ‘take the land the Lord has given us’.
So, please continue to join me in prayer for:
- The unity of our congregation.
- A continued, clear focus on our mission.
- New opportunities to reach those of the greater St. Louis area and beyond.
See you Sunday!
Pastor Mark
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