Often the most fashionable attitudes are monolithic forces that attempt to coerce the culture into a particular mode of being. Attitudes behind Leninism, for example, perpetuated a hatred for the past with the toppling of statues and other images for the ideals of communist progression. This in turn fueled a self hatred which culminated in the death of millions of Russians during so called peaceful times. It was a form of nihilism born from the same attitude that Cain carried towards Able, namely resentment.
In recent times we have seen this same attitude, or spirit, among many people on the streets of our major cities. The justification behind each wave of destruction has varied, yet all have been possessed by the destructive force of resentment. It is a treacherous incendiary that can lay dormant a midst the foundations of civilization till sparked by fiery rhetoric of victim-hood or outrage. Once persuaded that others, and not oneself, are the primary cause of injustice and unrighteousness, it is just a matter of time till aggression becomes violence towards the past and then the present who live and breath. It is just a matter of time when differing opinions become the bases for hatred and murder.
On the other hand there are the apathetic who are addicted to base pleasures that, as Aristotle once noted, even animals can enjoy. Neither resentment nor apathy are proper modes of being for humanity who is made in the image of God. And yet as Christians we are given a higher calling to sacrifice and build up for the sake of “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6) whom is in us and with us rather than tear down or simply watch as others destroy while doing nothing in apathy and regret.
Over the last two years I have personally witnessed you, our Pastors and leaders in Central California, navigate these resentful and apathetic times with a wonderful humility of building, building, building. As Paul recommended to the Thessalonians, “never get tired of doing good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13) so you have embodied this mode of being in your particular ministries with little to no fanfare. From the bottom of my heart, and as a fellow brother who is following our Lord and Savior Jesus, thank you for building. Thank you for the countless hours of ministering to your flock and others. Thank you for the mountains of administration work that you tackle each year. Thank you for putting your sermon preparations on hold because there’s a crises with a volunteer or staff member or congregate. Thank you for taking care of all the mundane tasks that regularly go unnoticed. Thank you for grieving or celebrating with your people, especially when you were spiritually running on empty and it took everything in you to get out of the house. Thank you for your sacrifices. They are not in vain and God sees everything. He loves you, so keep building as He builds you up.
And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say,
“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem,
chosen for great honor,
and anyone who trusts in him
will never be disgraced.”
Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.”
And,
“He is the stone that makes people stumble,
the rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
“Once you had no identity as a people;
now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God’s mercy.” (1 Peter 2:5-10)
As the weather cools, let’s fall into an attitude of gratitude and continue to build as the Lords sees fit.
It’s a New Day,
Pastor Aaron
