Dear
Southcity
What
a journey Jacs and I have been on the past few weeks. We first had Kade in
hospital for 5 days which meant Jacs in hospital for 5 days, and then to have a
lady I had the privilege of introducing to Jesus die in a tragic car accident
on Saturday leaving behind two very young girls, and then to have a very dear
friend of ours die on Tuesday morning having gone into a coma on Monday, also
leaving behind a three-year old and a two-year old.
Moments
like these help bring perspective and readjust what our lives are aimed
towards!
We
have today, we have this moment to be faithful to our God. James writes in
chapter 4 of his letter, warning those who live their life according to their
own plans to be careful. "Why you do not even know what will happen
tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and
then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'if it is the Lord's will...'"
The
writer to the Hebrews says in chapter 3 that we ought to fix our eyes on Jesus,
and in verse 13, "but encourage one another daily, as long as it is called
Today."
Friends,
I don't write this to dampen your mood, but rather to share something of my
life these past few weeks. Our hope is in Jesus, and our hope is eternal. We
long to leave this world so we can leave the corruption of the body, the pain,
the suffering, the difficulties, and be with our perfect Father forever, but as
Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians in chapter 1 and verse 22,
"if I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for
me."
I end
this email with a quote from DL Moody - "It is a thing to weep over that
we have thousands of church members who are good for nothing in extending the
Church of God."
Oh
please do not let my life count for nothing Lord. While it is called Today, I
will speak of your love and kindness toward us, a fallen humanity.
Thank
you Southcity for making a difference in the lives you touch. Continue to speak
of the love of God shown through his son Jesus Christ because we have this
moment to effect a persons eternity.
I am
so looking forward to praying with you all tomorrow night as we gather at 7pm.
My
love for you is deep friends.
Richard
