My daughter and I were out on Lake Kaweah the other day, and it reminded me of the lakes and creeks that I had once frequented in my younger years. Those glorious summer days were spent with friends in a large, Coleman canoe. It was an absolute tank. The thing was impervious to the rugged terrain of the Canadian wilderness. It easily held four of us with all our gear for whatever adventure lay ahead. One thing it couldn’t do, however, was navigate (we never did find the auto canoe feature). Many a time we ended up in bewildering situations because of a wrong turn. This was especially stressful when the last remnants of the day were fading into an eerie darkness, made even stranger by the thick overgrowth of the boreal forest. Yet no matter how often we found ourselves lost, we could always turn around and make our way back home.
In a similar sense, God, who is rich in grace and mercy, provides a way back home for all of us. The spirit of this welcoming and hospitable gesture can be found in Isaiah 44:1-5:
But now, listen to me, Jacob my servant,
Israel my chosen one.
The Lord who made you and helps you says:
Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant,
O dear Israel, my chosen one.
For I will pour out water to quench your thirst
and to irrigate your parched fields.
And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants,
and my blessing on your children.
They will thrive like watered grass,
like willows on a riverbank.
Some will proudly claim, ‘I belong to the Lord.’
Others will say, ‘I am a descendant of Jacob.’
Some will write the Lord’s name on their hands
and will take the name of Israel as their own.”
As God takes care of His people, He proves that bad situations can become better and that sinners can be redeemed. In the Gospels, Jesus tells a plethora of redemption stories, including one of the most famous, the Prodigal Son. Those on the wrong path can repent, and so, turn around and find their way back home because there is grace and mercy.
The Church of God in Central California is full of redemption stories. A beautiful turn around has taken place over the last four years. Our Lord’s grace and mercy has been on full display! At this Year’s 3rd Annual Dream Meeting, you’ll hear a variety of encouraging and hope filled stories from local pastors and lay leaders. It’s a New Day! Join us September 26th & 27th as we celebrate the redemptive work of Jesus.
“For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not
see it?”
Pastor Aaron
