Rejoice, and again I say rejoice! (Phil. 4:4) It’s Sunday again. God on my mind this morning–another fresh, brisk morning following a night of rain. Time to meditate, study, read, think, pray. God time. I love Sundays.
I am amazed that so often in our lives God takes us from one highlight experience to the next. I think about my most recent Sundays with God and the family of God: preaching an evangelistic campaign in Santiago (Chile) where God gave wonderful results and responses, preaching at a congregational retreat the next weekend, worship with the family of God in Montevideo (Uruguay), teaching and preaching at Northwest in Houston, the warm reception of the Park Plaza family in our move to Tulsa, today the opportunity to renew friendships and fellowship with hundreds of Christians at the Culto Unido (area-wide worship) that occurs each year on the Sunday after Seminario Baxter.
On these consecutive Sundays I have been blessed to connect with many different parts of God’s great worldwide family and to share worship with several thousand Christians in different parts of the world. God works in our lives in many different places and times and ways. Sometimes God’s presence is seen through the kind reception and warmth of dozens of greetings and emails that celebrate new relationships and new hope in the shared spiritual journey. Sometimes the glory and presence of God is in the context of a vibrant, growing spiritual family in a local church where we share spiritual life week after week. Sometimes his presence is in the delight of experiencing God’s international family. Sometimes his presence is seen in the marvel of how he continually works and guides and strengthens and blesses.
Regardless of your situation, I hope that this Lord’s Day is for you another high point in your spiritual life. I trust that your spirit will be buoyed for the week ahead, that you will know afresh God’s presence and power in your life, and that the thrill and excitement of God’s work in your life will not fade but will be polished to shine ever brighter.
It’s Sunday again. On this day, God will strengthen the spirits of his people in fellowship; as the call of his Word is heard in fresh and powerful ways we will answer with recommitment and resolve; we will remember his love and sacrifice as we surround the Table; and we will go forth again in hope as changed people living different lives and different commitments in a world of darkness and hopelessness.