Brothers, Sisters, Friends,

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about God’s faithfulness and the nature of our call.  All of us are called – we share the same primary calling, and each of us has various secondary callings.  You might be called to share the good news of    Jesus with a     particular friend or neighbor.  You might be called to be on the  Emmanuel prayer chain.  You might be called to teach children or adults, to repair cars, to collect canned goods for the food pantry, or to fix computers.

Maybe you’re in a place right now where you’re not doing what you feel “called” to do.  Perhaps life hasn’t turned out exactly how you pictured it going.  Don’t be discouraged; God still has a purpose and a plan.  And all of the various callings we have flow out of our first and foremost calling – the calling into          relationship with God through his Son Jesus Christ.

When we are connected to God in Christ, the twists and turns of this life don’t have to be reason to lose heart.  Rather, they present opportunities for      ministry.  Maybe you’re confined to a room and you’re not able to get out and about like you used to – take this extra time to pray.  Maybe there’s too much month at the end of the money – plan, prepare, but also trust God and live generously.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:9, “God is faithful; by him you were called  into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”  That’s it right there:  God is faithful.  You are called.  February is always a somewhat dreary and depressing month; don’t let it be so this year.  Live fully into the calling you have received, trusting in God’s faithfulness and looking for opportunities to be light and salt in a dark and icy month.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Pastor Zack