“Fishers of Men”

By Karen D’Amore

And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

Mark 1:17 (NASB)

In recent years, running has become my crucial source of quiet time with God. My greatest stress outlet…has become my most vital “in-let” where God uses my unconventional “church-on-the-run” to bring Scripture to life and reveal inspiring spiritual metaphors. With praise music setting my pace, it also prepares my heart for those messages, and God meets with me on those isolated country roads.

On a recent run, my worship music through iHeart Christian radio was interrupted by a true story painting a vivid picture of today’s key verse. The story was about a pastor in Houston who, in the wake of hurricane Harvey, boated through flooded neighborhoods and assisted in the rescues of trapped and stranded flood victims. In an interview with the local media, the pastor shared how, during the course of his rescue efforts, he was literally fishing people out of the floodwaters, utilizing a large fishing net to scoop them into the boat. Hailed a hero for saving victims from life-threatening conditions, he diverted the focus to how the experience had impacted and changed his outlook on today’s familiar Scripture.

Mark 1:17 can best be summarized as “The Call to Ministry.” This verse contains one command, “Follow Me”; one promise, “I will make you”; and one lifelong process, “Become fishers of men.” This metaphor illustrates our call, as Christ-followers, to catch  souls and release them to Jesus. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19a) As disciples we’re called to bring people into God’s kingdom. We’re to serve as “life-savers” by catching and rescuing the “unsaved” world from the drowning floodwaters of sin, and bringing them to an eternal-life-relationship with Jesus.

As I visualized that Houston pastor fishing frantic victims out of the rising floodwaters into the safety of his boat, I too was drawn to see the call to be “fishers of men” in a new light. When I recognized the pastor’s actions to be a “life-saving” rescue mission, it illustrated a greater sense of urgency to reach out and rescue the drowning “unsaved” world around me.

While completing my run and reflecting on the pastor’s story, I was moved to sing a song I learned in Sunday school as a young child:

            “I will make you fishers of men…fishers of men…fishers of men.

 I will make you fishers of men…if you follow Me!”

With our transformational testimonies ready and the gospel truth at hand…let’s grab our nets and…Go Fish!

GOING DEEPER:

1. Fishing requires great patience! Consider where you need to cast your net and be rescue-ready.

FURTHER READING:

Jeremiah 16:16; Matthew 5:16

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and as an instructor in the Cosmetology Department at WCTC. Karen also serves on the Welcoming Team at Oakwood.

Swaddled

 By Vernette Kureck

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger; because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7 (NIV)

How to care for a newborn. It is an age-old dilemma with massive books written on how to achieve the most contented baby. Do you lay them on their back or their stomach? How often should they be fed? Cloth diapers or disposable? Should they self-soothe or be rocked to sleep? Do you put them in a sleep sack or wrap them snuggly in a blanket? How about swaddling?

The greatest gift ever given to mankind was wrapped in cloths to keep him secure and warm, and placed in a manger. The eternal Son of God was born of a virgin and quietly entered the world in a small Judean town. Did you know swaddling was used to restrain movement? Think about it: The Creator of the universe confined in human flesh and cloths.

Not much is shared in Scripture regarding Jesus’ childhood. According to the Gospel of Luke, He grew strong and was filled with wisdom. [1] When He was 12 years old, his family went to the temple in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. After He was missing for three days, His parents found Him in the synagogue where He stated He must be in His Father’s house. Jesus restrained Himself though, and submissively left with His parents. [2]

Before He begins His ministry, the Prince of Peace is 40 days in the wilderness dealing with the devil. The devil knows Jesus is swaddled in human flesh. Satan throws every temptation known to mankind at Jesus, challenging His divinity and taunting Him to demonstrate His power. Jesus is omnipotent, but restrains Himself. He quotes Scripture showing the power of the Word, and He defeats all the attacks and temptations. [3]

The Redeemer of mankind spends the next three years revealing and fulfilling all the prophesies regarding the Messiah. The culmination comes with His crucifixion: Held on the cross by mankind’s sin, His blood freely flows to conquer the separation between God and man.

His bruised, battered and dead body is placed in a new, sealed stone tomb, and three days later the tomb is empty…except for the linen cloths that had been used to wrap his body. Our Savior arose and is now seated at the right hand of God His Father.

The conqueror of death reigns unrestrained. The Son of Man is swaddled no more! Praise God and Merry Christmas.  

GOING DEEPER:

1. Meditate on how Jesus’ leaving heaven and all His glory by becoming a human really affects you.

FURTHER READING:

Luke 2:22-52, 4:1-14, 24:36-53

Vernette and her husband Ken have been married 49 years. They have been blessed with eight grandchildren from their two sons and their wives. She serves Oakwood with Family Promise and on the prayer chain.

[1] Luke 2:52

[2] Luke 2:41-52

[3] Matthew 4:1-11

In His Image

By Tracy Smith

“So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.”

Genesis 1:27 (NIV)

The older my oldest son gets, the more he looks like my dad. At the same time, he has certain facial expressions and mannerisms that are exactly like my husband. My youngest son is left-handed, just like his paternal grandma and maternal great-aunt. My nephew looks like and walks exactly like his dad. My niece is the spitting image of my sister, who is the spitting image of my mom.

Genetics has always fascinated me. I love looking at families and seeing who looks like who and who has whose mannerisms, way of walking, etc. Beyond looks, there are also personality traits that you will see reflected in family members. Kids look up to and imitate their parents.

When I am out in the world, do I look like and act like my Father? Genesis 1:27 says we are made in God’s image. Do I reflect who He is to those around me? Do I make an effort to represent my Father well?

In order to do that, I need to dig into the Word and see our Lord's character traits that I should be emulating:

• Do I show love or hatred? (Mark 12:31; Matthew 5:43-45)
• Do I show forgiveness or hold grudges? (Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 18:21-22)
• Do I show mercy or harshness? (Luke 6:36; Matthew 5:7)
• Am I humble or am I full of pride? (Psalm 25:9; James 4:6)
• Do I reach out to the “least of these” or do I pretend I don’t see? (Matthew 25:40; James 1:27)
• Do we show grace or do we judge others? (Luke 6:37; Matthew 7:5)

When my son is out in public with my dad, it is obvious he is related. Do my actions show others that I belong to God?

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Will you commit to studying His Word in order to know our Lord better so you can represent Him well?

2.  Is there one specific trait you know you struggle with representing well? Will you pray that the Lord will help you with this?

FURTHER READING:

Genesis 5:1-2; Genesis 9:6

Along with being a wife and mother to two teenage sons, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood and works with a great group of Junior High girls.

Freedom

By Elizabeth Cole

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

 Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)

I was playing freeze tag with some girlfriends a couple of months ago. Can you see it? Grown women of various ages (and stamina) racing and loudly shouting in Dickten Park. Dodging “it” as she approached to freeze. Seeking just the right moment to zigzag over to the frozen friend, releasing her with a touch for movement again. Finding breath and energy sapped to the point whereby “it” had no problem catching and freezing. Hoping against hope that someone somewhere still had enough air left to rush in and free us.

I was startled at how exhilarating it was to be “unfrozen,” able to run again freely. I was also surprised at the feeling of helplessness when frozen, unable to do anything to release myself.

As we live in this Advent season, there is an undercurrent of freedom, isn’t there? The Christmas carol “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” begins with these words:

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,

Born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in Thee.

The Savior born in the manger was about our freedom. Freedom to be in relationship with Him. Released from the paralyzing “frozen-ness” that comes from the weight of guilt and fear and shame and secrets and sin. Set free to live life as He intended it.

Oh my… it’ll take your breath away as surely as if you’d run the whole of Dickten Park, when you consider the kind of exhilarating love that stoops to a stable to set you free.

Shout it out, beloved, you’re free!

GOING DEEPER:

1. Take a moment today to step away from holiday planning and breathe in deeply the fact that you are set free. Articulate the difference it makes in your life…today. Reflect on the words in “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.”
2. If you are living as if you are still “frozen,” what steps could you take today to live in the freedom Jesus gives?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 42:1-10; Luke 4:16-21; Galatians 5:1

Elizabeth is a wife with three grown daughters and two sons-in-law, and is the Director of Connecting at Oakwood Church.

A Gift for You

By Elin Henderson

“You also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.”

II Corinthians 1:11(NKJV)

For those of us out there whose love language is “gift giving and receiving,” let me introduce a wonderful, low-budget gift suitable for anyone, any age, any size, any taste…the gift of prayer! What better gift can we send to a friend than to bring her before our Heavenly Father and beseech Him on her behalf? There is no need for a gift receipt, this is one gift they won’t want to take back and exchange! Its guarantee comes straight from the heart of God!

This isn’t my innovation or idea but one borrowed from the Apostle Paul, found throughout his New Testament writings, but especially highlighted here in 2 Corinthians 1:11. Paul had received this special “gift” from the church at Corinth. They were faithfully holding him up in prayer. Not only was it a tremendous encouragement and help to Paul, it was also a way that the church there could connect personally with him. It allowed them to be a part of his life and ministry.

So, next time you are at a loss for what to get a friend for a birthday, thank you, or “just because I care,” remember this incredible gift of prayer. It’s always in stock and just costs a little time and effort on our part! And, don’t forget, it comes with a double blessing, one for them and one for you as you connect with the Lord God, and with them in their need. Trust me, they won’t be disappointed and neither will you!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Who in your life could use a “prayer gift”? Anyone have a birthday coming up? A special event? Don’t forget to add this to the package!
2. How does praying for someone connect you with them? How can we enter into their world through prayer?

FURTHER READING:
James 5:16; Philippians 1:4

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to seventeen-year-old Callie and fourteen-year-old Elias. 

The Christmas Prayer
By Lexi Ellis

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14 (NIV)

Because I have a typical evangelical Protestant background, liturgies were not a common experience for me. While studying abroad in Scotland, I came to love the timeless, powerful words that have been written for the traditional liturgies. There is something powerful about the church speaking as one voice about the eternal truths of our God - - especially around Christmastime. Today, may this be our timeless prayer:

“Wonder of wonders, God has to come to us!
Not as a judge, but a Savior.
Not in power, but as a servant.

Wonder of wonders, God has come to us!
Not in silence, but in the Word made flesh.
Not in the shadows, but bringing Light.

Wonder of wonders, God is with us!

Angels sang their anthems at the midnight hour to awaken a sleeping creation;
Shepherds came to worship you, and went away rejoicing;
Wise ones gave their hearts to you, so they could dwell in yours.
O Emmanuel, we adore You.

You came as a baby, to hold us in Your grace;
You came to us in a stable, so we would have no trouble finding you;
You came to us in poverty, to enrich our lives.
O Beautiful Messenger of Peace, we adore You...

God became one of us, so that we could
see the face of love,
hear the voice of peace,
be touched by the hand of grace,
know the heart of mercy…

Child of Bethlehem, be born in us today:
forgive us,
heal us,
make us new;
We will join the angels in singing your praise this Christmas day and all the days to come. Amen.” (1)

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is there a place you can be alone today for a moment to read this aloud as a prayer to our God? Better yet, can you share it with someone else?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 2

:  Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin. Lexi teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing. She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

(1) Thom M. Shuman. Christmas day liturgy, Year B. Revised Common Lectionary.

The Final Peace

By Lisa Boyer

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)

I’d just spent the last 10 days visiting some of the most significant sites in Israel. I’d been to the Shepherd’s Field, the site believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized, Cana where He performed His first recorded miracle, the site of the crucifixion, and the garden with an empty tomb. Yet none of those places grabbed my heart as much as staring up into the night sky my last evening in Israel.

I just stood there, mesmerized. I was looking up at the night sky over Bethlehem. Just a few miles away from where I stood, an angel had appeared to shepherds watching over their flocks by night and announced the birth of Jesus, which had happened somewhere in the very town I was now standing in! I was overwhelmed.

I knew the story by heart, backwards and forwards, but this night, this night,  my heart rejoiced. It was as though a journey that had begun seven years before was finally complete.

Back in 2010, I had shared with Fresh Start readers my personal struggle with Christmas. [1] I’d written of some intentional steps I’d taken to properly celebrate Jesus’ birth in the only way that worked for me:  separating my celebration from December 25^th, a date that had held so much pain for me. Since that time, Christmases had been so much better as I no longer succumbed to depression during the holidays, but I still hadn’t come to the place of joyfully  celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Until that moment in Bethlehem….

As our bus left Bethlehem that night, I asked if we could sing “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem.” After verifying that I was indeed serious about singing a Christmas song in October, we began singing…and we sang one Christmas song after another on our way back to Jerusalem.

It was the highlight of the trip for me. Christmas songs, that for years had been linked to a time of year I struggled with, became what they were always supposed to be…a joyful celebration of the birth of Jesus!

GOING DEEPER:

1. Today, will you make a plan to intentionally and personally celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas season?

2. If you are one of the many who struggle this time of year, will you bring your burden to our compassionate God, asking Him to show you a way that you can freely celebrate the birth of His Son?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 2:1-20

Lisa is married to Ted and they have two adult sons. Lisa serves on a Sunday morning Welcoming Team and is an event photographer at Oakwood. 

(1) My First Christmas, October 29, 2010 http://www.oakwoodfreshstart.blogspot.com/2010/10/, My First Christmas Part Two, November 5, 2010 http://oakwoodfreshstart.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-first-christmas-part-2-by-lisa-boyer.html

Ghosts of Christmas Past

By Susan Klein

“But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

 Philippians 3:13b-14 (NIV)

In Charles Dickens’ novel, A Christmas Carol, we are introduced to “The Ghost of Christmas Past.” This particular ghost takes Scrooge to revisit events from his earlier years. One event sparks pain, which Scrooge would just as soon forget. This past hurt has left him a bitter old man devoid of joy. My guess is that if each of us dug around in the closet of our own past, we’d likely find a ghost or two lurking about.

Meet Annabel. She’s been trying for years to have a baby. She’s longed for a Christmas like those of her childhood, filled with toys and laughter and wonderful memories. Still, she does not conceive. The ghost of sorrow threatens to rob her of her Christmas joy once again this year.

Meet Jane. Jane’s husband lost his job. Again. As hard as Jane works, her children will not find presents under the tree this year. Jane wonders if they’ll even have enough money to put food on the table or keep their home. The ghosts of fear and insecurity taunt Jane until she almost despairs of all hope.

Meet Jackie. Jackie has been making some wrong choices, the consequences of which have left her with several broken relationships. Jackie will likely be spending Christmas alone this year. The ghost of regret is keeping her from worshiping God, feeling unworthy and unloved.

Like Scrooge, each one has been deeply affected by the ghosts of their past. Perhaps you, too, are struggling with finding joy this Christmas due to your own hurts or mistakes. But Scrooge, when presented by another ghost with a glimpse into his future, becomes a changed man. He is able to let go of his pain and experience joy again. So can we!

If we truly know Jesus Christ as our Savior, we have an eternal hope that far outweighs any present trial or difficulty. [1]  Earthly things need not rob us of true joy, which springs from God’s gift to us: being redeemed. Undeserved, unearned, completed-on-the-cross redemption! Like Scrooge, we are no longer chained to the ghosts of guilt, sorrow or fear. God has gifted us with forgiveness and eternal security, two precious and irrevocable gifts.

This Christmas may you leave the ghosts in the past, and blanket yourself with joy as you worship the Giver of perfect gifts!

GOING DEEPER:

1. What might be hindering your joy or your worship?

2. Do you have an eternal hope?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 16:9-11, 146: 5-10; John 15:10-11

[1] 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Susan is married to Mark, and co-leads an in-home small group. She serves as a mentor to young women, and is a member of Oakwood’s Peace Team, helping people work through conflict.

Taking the “IF” out of gIFt

By Elin Henderson

“…the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD.”

 Romans 6:23b (NKJV)

           

Tis’ the season for gifts and gift giving. We are all making our lists and checking them twice not to mention hitting the shops in search of the perfect gift at the perfect price!

We often connect a lot of “ifs” to our gifts, don’t we? We buy gifts based on IF the person is a family or friend - - we aren’t apt to give complete strangers gifts. Sometimes gift-giving is only accomplished IF we have enough money or time to purchase gifts. We may even base our gifts on IF that certain person has or has not treated us well. It may mean the difference between a designer bag and socks!

How wonderful to know that there are no “ifs” attached to God’s gift. His gift of salvation is for all. It isn’t based on “IF you are good enough,” or “IF you jump through the right hoops,” or “IF you don’t fall away,” but He freely offers Himself, the perfect gift to us. There are no hidden clauses, no fine print, just a simple gift tag of “FREE.” This added “free” dissolves our “ifs,” after all a free gift is simply that, FREE! We just need to reach out and take it!

So, this holiday season, let us rejoice in the free Gift - - no IF’s attaches - - that was sent our way so many years ago and may we freely share it with others!

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable GIFT!” II Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)

GOING DEEPER:                                                       

1. Do we sometimes add “ifs” to our spiritual walks as believers? “If only I served better…” “If only I was more like so-and-so”?

2. How can knowing who we are in Christ and His available free grace help us dissolve those “ifs”?

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 4:7; Romans 5:15

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to seventeen-year-old Callie and fourteen-year-old Elias. 

Oh Holy Night

By Peggy Kleckner

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

Luke 2:8-10 (NIV)

As Fresh Start writers this season, we were challenged to look into a Christmas carol and write about what we found there. I chose “Oh Holy Night.”

Here are the lyrics from the beginning of this song:

Midnight, Christians, it is the solemn hour,

When God as man descended unto us

To erase the stain of original sin

And to end the wrath of His Father.

The entire world thrills with hope

On this night that gives it a Saviour.

People kneel down, wait for your deliverance.

Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer,

Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer!

I suppose we are all more familiar with this version:

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. [1]

In either case “midnight” or “night” is what caught my attention. I am not fond of the dark. It can feel lonely and frightening. Which is why I love the answer the song gives to the “night” places of our lives. The “thrill of hope” is Jesus. In our seasons of life that are similar to the night, we recognize the ugliness of our sins or that particular sin that we just can’t seem to throw off. We are heartbroken that we can’t clean ourselves up to greet Him and then suddenly it dawns on us, and our weary soul realizes, of course, that is true. Why else would He have come?

Oh, how we should thrill at that realization! Christmas is His answer. Our hope, our only hope, is Jesus. Into our darkness breaks His glorious light. He came for us because He loves us and because, on our own, we would remain in darkness.

This year, as Christians, may we be carriers of the “thrill of hope” to those we encounter daily.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What dark place of your life needs His great light of love and hope?

2. Do you or someone you know need to be reminded of the “thrill of hope”?

FURTHER READING:

John 3:16-17; Genesis 1:3; 2 Samuel 22:29

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield.

[1] Reflect on this song by watching and listening to it here.

Favored
By Sarah Walker

And [Gabriel] came to [Mary] and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” ... And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”Luke 1:28,30 (ESV)

 

The angel told Mary she had found favor with God. But what did that mean in the day-to-day? What were the consequences of Mary saying “yes” to God? Did Mary’s life get drastically better from the world’s perspective after her encounter with the angel? Arguably not, yet she was favored.

Mary was favored even though she became pregnant before she was married. She was favored, even if those around her didn’t recognize it. She was favored, even though she had to tell her betrothed that she was pregnant, and not by him. She was favored, even though she had to travel on a donkey while nine months pregnant and give birth in less-than-ideal surroundings. She was favored, even though she had to be on the run to hide her baby from being murdered by the king. She was favored, even though she had to watch her son die a criminal’s death.

She was favored, even though her circumstances after meeting with the angel might not have looked favorable through human eyes.

Mary was favored. Yet with God’s favor came hardship, adversity, and the potential for shame, misunderstanding and derision from those around her. To the world, she may not have looked like a person whom God had chosen to be “O favored one.” But He did, and she was.

Mary was indeed favored. She said “yes” to God’s plan, and God’s favor had a chance to bloom. She was favored because her betrothed also followed God and married her. She was favored because they had a healthy baby who was God in the flesh. She was favored because her firstborn son would personally change the face of the world forever, even 2,000 years later. She was favored because through the God-man she gave birth to, even Gentiles would be able to be reconciled to God. She was favored because she got to experience these events unfolding firsthand.

But Mary didn’t see the end from the beginning. She wasn’t God. He whom she bore, He was God in the flesh. But she was merely human. She didn’t have intimate knowledge of future events. She had to trust God in the everyday moments, just as you and I need to. Your circumstances might not look favorable...but in reality, are you, like Mary, actually favored?

 

GOING DEEPER:

1.      How have you seen God’s favor play out in your life? If you need to, ask God to give you His perspective.

2.      Encourage someone today with God’s big picture perspective.

 

FURTHER READING:Luke 1:46-55, Romans 8:28, 31-39

 

Sarah is married to Scott and is a full-time mom to their two young sons. She and Scott co-lead a summer/winter neighborhood small group.

 Signs of the Times

By Karen D’Amore

And there will be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars;

 and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity…

Luke 21:25a (NIV)

Labor Day weekend 2017, the state of Florida was bracing for the worst hurricane in history. Meanwhile, portions of Texas were still submerged under floodwaters from catastrophic hurricanes of their own. On the heel of scattered hurricanes, 65 major fires were incinerating the western U.S. In addition, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and floods were destroying lives in neighboring countries. Mother Nature was on a worldwide warpath!

As a believer who’s mindful of Scripture, I recognized the influx of natural disasters as a pivotal “mile marker” in relation to the signs of the times. And I could see the “finish line” for the world growing nearer.

I ran in a half marathon that same Labor Day weekend, and experienced a picture of what Scripture says about the signs of the times. From the start line, the race headed south for five miles then looped back north for the same five miles, with the 10-mile marker being in close proximity to the finish line. While nearing the 10-mile marker, I could hear spectators cheering for runners coming from the opposite direction, as they crossed the finish line. When I passed those runners who were finishing the race, I still had 3.1 miles left to run.

Mentally, as soon as I heard the crowd cheering…and saw the FINISH line…I was done! Those final 3.1 miles were the hardest miles I’ve ever run, and I considered dropping out of the race. Seeing the FINISH sign before the race was over was torturous! However, when I approached the FINISH line the second time…knowing the race was truly finished…I was simultaneously depleted and overjoyed!

The experience drew me to see parallels to “signs of the times” in the world today. We’re witnessing and experiencing natural phenomenons aligning with scriptural warnings that point to the FINISH line. But despite the fires and floods and nature’s other ravaging effects on the earth, the race isn’t over…yet! We must continue to wade through the deep waters…sift through the ashy rubble…and rescue the unbelieving world from its perishing path.

As Christ-followers, the only way to know the sign of the times is to know Scripture. As we see “mile markers” indicating the FINISH line is near…remember, the race isn’t finished…yet. We need to stay on course…not lose hope…and never give up ”while we wait for the blessed hope - - the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

GOING DEEPER:

1. How are signs of end times changing your approach to the finish line?

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 24:6; 2 Peter 3:13

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and as an instructor in the Cosmetology Department at WCTC. Karen also serves on the Welcoming Team at Oakwood.