I would like to share with you today a thought on the following question: How can life become complete? We have had a crazy year with COVID; there have been so many ups and downs, left turns and right turns and so much chaos. So how can we feel complete?
In the book Education, on page 41, we read: "In the arrangements for the education of the chosen people it is made manifest that a life centered in God is a life of completeness. Every want He has implanted, He provides to satisfy; every faculty imparted, He seeks to develop." So God will seek to develop within us a completeness so that we might serve Him more abundantly.
We have seen this in our schools this year: Christian educators who have stepped up and brought Jesus into the homes of our students because they couldn't come to the schools, they brought worships into the home in a way in which parents even participated and enjoyed seeing their children have a God-centered curriculum. We've seen our churches step up by offering so many different ways of virtual sermons and activities. We've watched our churches reach out to the community in ways that before would not even have been attempted. God has given us so many blessings through this last year. We just have to stop and see the completeness that He has given to us through His spirit.
Another way is through the tithes and offerings that have come into the conference. The work of Jesus is not inexpensive. What a blessing it was to this conference that its members continue to be faithful in their tithes and offerings during very, very difficult financial times. It continued to allow the conference to have a completeness to bring the ministry to all of those within the conference.
There are many other items that we can dwell on that are negative, items which we can say we wish had been different. We know that we have moved into a direction where we're all weary of what we've had to do to make concessions for this virus. But God is going to bring us through this, and He's going to give us joy at the end of this.
I want to read something out of the book of Psalms. In Psalm 5:11-12, we read that God not only creates a completeness in us through the Spirit, but also brings us something else: "But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love."
We have been blessed through this last year. Even though it's been chaotic, even though there have been many components that have been difficult for us. We have a God who has brought joy to our hearts. He has brought a completeness to each of us. My prayer for you today is that you will, during this time of chaos, look to see how God is bringing completeness to your soul through the working of the Holy Spirit, how much joy God is bringing you will bring you and will continue to bring you as you continue to make Jesus first, center and foundation for your life. It is truly through the gift of Jesus that all of us can feel complete.