RENEWED JOY
As I shared at our gathering, if God gives a pulse, He has a purpose! As Olivet’s kupuna, you are a dearly valued and tremendously valuable to the life of the church and for God’s purposes in us and around us as His people, now and in the years to come.
Let me share a brief thought with you from the book of Philippians. I was going through a season of disappointment in various areas of life, and I got stuck in a grumbling habit. I felt like my problems were everyone else’s fault, not mine! One day, these words leaped off the page and into my heart!
12b Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, 16 by holding firm to the word of life. -- Philippians 2:12-16a (CSB)
The surge of conviction for my bad attitude and grumbling quickly gave way to renewed joy! Yes, I had to work, but not “work to earn God’s salvation”. Rather, I was to “work out” what was already God’s gracious gift to me, through faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ! Even more than that, it was not me doing the work but God working in me, by His grace! God used these verses to begin reshaping my heart and drawing me out of my dark grumbling and back into a season of smiling and shining.
Years ago, a man named Rufus Jones spoke to a group about shining like stars in the world (v 15). A woman shared her fears that she had very plain features; how could she ever give off a sense of God’s shining light. Jones replied, “Madam, while I have troubles of my own of that kind, I’ve discovered that if you light up from within, any old face you have is good enough!”[1]
Let’s press on, as God is at work in us! And let’s celebrate how God is empowering us to shine like shine like stars in the world, holding firm to His words of life!
Jamie McElrath,
Senior Pastor
GREATER PURPOSE
I recently read a funny story that I want to share with you!
A story is told of a woman who fell out of a second-floor window and landed in a slow moving garbage truck. She was surprised to open her eyes and find herself half buried in litter. A foreigner standing on the sidewalk saw the incident and quipped, “Another example of how wasteful Americans are. That woman looks like she’s good for at least another 10 years!”[1]
Funny perhaps, but such a good reminder that as long as God gives us a pulse, He also gives us a purpose! Each one of us is blessed and gifted by God in unique ways, but all of us are to be about the great purpose of our Lord, that as we follow Jesus, we will help other people follow Jesus, who will help others follow Jesus, and so on. (Mt 28:19-20, 2 Tim 2:2)
I am so grateful to see our Senior Ohana Ministry springing back into action! God is not done with any of us yet, and I know He has glorious things in store for us as older church members and for our whole church!
10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. -- 1 Peter 4:10 (CSB)
You can read the full article at this website: https://www.seniorlivingministries.org/2023/06/finding-fulfillment-in-your-kingdomcalling-6/
Jamie McElrath,
Senior Pastor
SPIRITUAL SUPPORT FOR OTHERS
I want to share some helpful ideas with you from an article I read recently. We all need spiritual support at every stage of life. But what are ways that we can be that spiritual support for others, especially when life is taking its toll? In a Focus on the Family article, the author writes:
“. . .the spiritual domain is one area that still provides room for growth during the senior years. The body may break down, but the spirit is still capable of expansion, renewal, or even new birth in old age. In spite of changes, losses and chronic health conditions, elderly people can continue to cultivate their relationship with God.”
Spiritual growth in our later years requires some extra effort and attention. What once was easy now involves a little more planning, a little more time, and maybe even the help of friends, family, and of course our church family. And while we may still be able to take care of our own spiritual needs for growing in our love for God, walking with Him every day, and connecting with the church in Bible study, worship, and service, how are ways we can help those who are struggling in this area, even as we work to stay fresh and growing in our faith?
The article provides us with a few helpful tips, using the example of a loved family member in need of some spiritual encouragement and support.
Jamie McElrath,
Senior Pastor