“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25
In a recent sermon I likened our Lord Jesus to a Life Jacket. In the waters of baptism God has promised to keep us afloat along the river of life. There are two ways to float the river. 1) In the boat, 2) In the river. It’s easier to float in a boat.
Now let’s liken the raft to the church. God will be faithful to His promises whether we find ourselves in the church, outside the church, or even if the church has shoved you out of the boat for one reason or another. You can trust Christ during your time outside the raft, but he is always calling you back into the raft. Get in the boat with the rest of the bozos like us.
In the boat of the church we share daily bread and forgiveness of sins. In the boat we praise, pray and give thanks to God. In the boat we navigate in common purpose to seek and save the drowning, the frightened, the exhausted.
On the recent youth trip we got to “swim” a class 3 rapid without our rafts. We had the opportunity to walk back upriver and do it again. The second time was enough. After only two runs, we were pretty tired and in need of catching our breath.
You can float without a boat, but you don’t want to do it for too long on your own. Plus, we could use your help paddling because there are many others floating the river of life without even a Life Jacket.
Bethesda, we’ll see you in the boat this Fall. The water and Spirit are moving!
Peace,
Pastor Tom