Our ongoing COVID pandemic has demonstrated how easily our eternal perspective can be shifted to a temporal obsession. At times we so easily lose sight of eternity as we struggle daily in the here and now. There is no end to the online religious speculation, apocalyptic predictions, and social media theories of where all this is headed. It can easily consume us. Yet, all of this does not give us an answer, or hope. In his book The Call, author Os Guinness tells of a successful businessman speaking at Oxford University, who shares of his ability to buy and do many things because of his great wealth. However, the businessman goes on to say; “But there is one thing I’ve never been able to hire anyone to do for me: find my own sense of purpose and fulfillment”.

In the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke), Jesus also had a similar encounter with a rich young ruler whose wealth and position offered him many advantages. Yet, he too was perplexed about finding purpose and fulfillment. His question to Jesus; “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” is a question that reveals an internal lack, a sense of not having any hope. Will all the possessions I accumulate, my titles, accomplishments, good works, and religious devotion bring me the sense of joy and fulfilment that I long for? At the end of our life is the one who has the most toys really the winner? I think not. There is a better answer.

The answer is quite simple. In another biblical encounter, the disciple Philip comes alongside an Ethiopian man of great prominence who was searching. He was at Jerusalem to worship, and as he was headed home, he was reading from the book of Isaiah, but he too was perplexed. Philip’s question and the man’s response gives us the simple answer for today; “. . . Do you understand what you are reading? And he said, How can I, unless someone guides me? . . . Then Phillip opened his mouth and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.” (Acts 8:30, 35).

Sometimes life gets in the way of our calling to be witnesses. Sometimes we become so focused on the circumstances of life that we fail to see the opportunities right before our eyes. The anticipated hope of “COVID will end and we’ll all just get back to normal” is a false hope that still leaves people perplexed and without hope. News flash – there is no going back to “normal”, whatever normal was! As Christians with a focus on Jesus we must understand this. Our longing should not be for our comfort, constitutional rights, freedom of religion or going back to the way things were, the way “I” like them. Our focus should be on sharing with lost and hurting people the hope of the Gospel despite our circumstances, even when it is outside of our comfort zone.

We must let go of our sense of entitlement, whatever that looks like, so that we become servants who use these opportunities to speak the truth of our hope. The hope of freedom from sin and forgiveness and restoration to a Heavenly Father who loves us to the point of giving His one and only Son to be that perfect sacrifice. The sacrifice that restores us to Himself into a new relationship, an eternal relationship. It may start with a simple question; Do you understand what you are reading?

To do that means that we must be in the Word, feeding daily with prayer and a focus on eternity. That comes at a cost. Perhaps we need to shut off the distractions and competing voices, turn off our phones and TV, shut down the social media platforms and clear the fog, so that the light of God’s Word may shine into our hearts and out through our mouths. Ouch, easier said than done! Remember, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Heb. 11:1).

These are indeed unsettled and confusing days with no real end in sight. But, be encouraged, look to Jesus above all and proclaim the good news of the Gospel in every opportunity. Feed daily on God’s Word so that you might be a witness to those that are perishing!

I hope U know how loved U are!

Rev. Bill Allan
AGC President

POINTING THEM TO JESUS: But Sometimes Life Gets in the Way!