Starting Well

Doesn’t it seem to be a little bit off, to start the “My Anchor Is…” series with a sermon called “Finishing well”, and then moving on to “Starting well”? Well, it might be off for many of us, but it is actually very healthy to start with the end in mind. Pastor Corby talked about the need to refocus our attention on God, especially when things get tough and we run out of steam. 

But in today’s sermon Pastor Bryce shows us that it is just as important to start well. There are different points in life when we start something. But what they all have in common is the past that we have experienced. David started his kingship with a very difficult past. Bryce mentioned his difficult and unexpected start here at Manheim BIC. The 2020 Seniors will start this year with uncertainty ahead and a difficult finish behind them.  

In times like these, it is of utmost importance that we start with… well with what? 

Pastor Bryce mentions three things: 

1. The realization that without God as my Shepherd I can do nothing
2. The recognition that we have a soul -a spiritual place- that can be at rest
3. The assurance that God is there for us – good times or bad

To really start well, let us focus on two things: 

1. Start from the center of God’s presence

Rest in the presence of God. Make it really the point to rest on a Sunday. Don’t use it plan out the coming week already. Don’t focus on the unrest of the world around you (maybe even rest from watching the news). Don’t be so busy that you can’t squeeze a nap or a hike into your Rest-day schedule. And make it a point to worship God by concentration on who HE is and what he thinks of you. Hey, HE gave his son for you, out of love, for you. If that is not an uplifting thought, then what is? Think of his mercy for you. Maybe even hum that old song “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh, what a foretaste of Glory divine.” Oh, I hope this is now an ear-worm (good old German word) for you!

2. Know is that God is for you, and with you

Read Romans 8:31-38. Now read it again and every time it says “us”, replace the word with “I” and “me”. Do that every day of the week. Start the week with the assurance that God is for you. Start with the reminder that there is nothing that can separate you from God’s love. 

I am convinced that these two steps will bring you to the same point that David got to when he finished his favorite “Shepherd” song. David closes by saying “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.”

May God fill you with HIS presence today as you go into the new day, new week, the new month, or even a completely new season of life. And may HE give you peace.