Image: A.S. Makarova
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Every new day, like Easter Sunday, there is a new beginning. Thank the Lord for new beginnings and every new day. As I begin my new ministry, I marvel at where God Almighty has called us. Our Christian faith is about more than one individual; it is about what we are called to be as one in the body, one in Christ. When we as one in community walk and act as one in faith and ministry, we can be powerful in the cross. But we as well should acknowledge that we are human and we fail in many ways; we have not yet been perfected. Thank the Lord, we all can seek reconciliation. We are all called to seek the face of God in others—not in the mirror. We are called to better ourselves in every opportunity the cross presents us with. History reveals much, and one of the truths it tells is that we have often failed as Christians. Thus we all need to seek reconciliation with all our relations in faith. What gives me hope is that though I personally have failed in so many ways—I am broken, warped and not in any way perfect—the Almighty still loves me and has a purpose for me in the journey of faith.
I have heard so many times from individuals that they have no purpose in ministry, no glorious calling, no reason for being. But the truth is that our Creator God brought us all into creation. Your ministry is to be in the right place and right time for someone— someone that you might not even know—and to say the right thing and open the right door. You might even pray for someone whose name just comes into your mind. You are the instrument of God, you are the hands, eyes, prayer of blessing of Christ in this specific time and moment. You are special in God’s ministry. But always remember in humility that you are human, and thus you should forgive, pray, love and bless others in the journey of life and faith. Every new day offers new opportunity and new hope.
In many sermons I’ve stated my process of beginning every new day. I begin with a simple prayer, “Lord, walk with me today and help me to be better and do better than yesterday and the day before.” It reminds me that I need to walk in humility and respect for others, that I have failed and disappointed many. I have not perfected my journey with our Lord and I ever need to strive to walk the good road with my Saviour. It reminds me that the cross—though for many a mystery and even a threat or reminder of wrongful and painful history—is also our strength, hope, promise and salvation.
So today, may the cross in our community of faith be lifted high for the glory of God, in all that we together say and do. We are one in the body, one in the family of God our Creator. In the new beginning that is this day, may your journey of ministry lead you to be an instrument of peace, hope, forgiveness and blessing.