April 5, 2021
11 God has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; 13 moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. 14 I know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him.
– Ecclesiastes 3:11-14
When I started sending out daily encouraging emails, I had only planned to keep them going for a season. A season when we needed hope; a season we needed a way to feel connected. That season has lasted longer than I ever imagined, and I know that we are not quite over that season as of yet.
This past year has forced many of us to try new ways of doing life, work, and everything else. Slowly, very slowly we are getting back to a sense of normalcy, but it’s not quite the normal we had hoped for. I remain hopeful that things will continue to get better, and know that God will see us through, or as the teacher of Ecclesiastes says: God’s gift is that we should take pleasure in our toil, for we know that God will endure forever. If God endures forever, then we who are alive in him, shall endure as well.
The season has allowed me to share with you many things that have been on my heart, and hopefully helped you in your faith during those times we could not meet in person. However, like all seasons this one is now come to an end.
As we continue to move forward, the encourager will continue, but only once or twice a week. Still, I would be happy to continue to share any messages or devotions that you would like to share with the congregation. For me, as we move forward, I need to devote more time and focus on ways we can gather, grow as disciples, and hopefully begin to have Sunday School, Small groups, and Bible studies once more.
I want to say a huge thank you to all of you, for reading the messages, and sharing them with those in your life. I especially want to thank David Petty, Sue Biggerstaff, Don Parnell, Edward Pierce, and all the others who have sent encouraging notes for me to share. I also appreciate everyone who took the time to respond, which gave the encouragement to keep on going; knowing my words had an impact on your life and faith was the greatest thanks I could receive.
As we move into the new seasons ahead, I hope you will continue to find a daily way to focus on God, and spend time in prayer. There are a number of daily devotions out there, if that is something you would like to continue, and if you need a suggestion for one, feel free to ask. One options is to sign up for the daily devotion that comes from the Holston Conference, which can be found at Holston.org (daily devotions tab).
I truly hope that our next season will bring us more together, working and growing together to make an impact on our community, and the world, for the glory of Christ our Lord.
Grace & Peace,
Sam