Dear Lighthouse,

            Do you ever forget stuff?  Do you ever get so caught up in what you’re doing that you look up and the clock and wonder where the time went, where the day went, where your life went?  It happens.  It happens a lot.

            Plato said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” This is a favorite quote of mine because I find it very true.  Why live if you are not living for a point or with a goal in mind?  If your life lacks any significance then you are just wasting air.  But there is the rub, what is the point or significance of your life?  What is your purpose?  It think that far too often our purpose, the reason we live, move and have our being, gets lost in the mire of events, deadlines, and obligations that surround us. We get blinded by the urgent and we fail to see the eternal consequences in our daily choices.  Thoreau said, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”  Again, this is a favored quote because it states what we all often feel – desperate to find our way to the finish line, a winner.

            These thoughts and feelings can lead to depression, frustration, and anguish.  However, the unsettling feelings, if turned and examined, can help lead us to a break through in our lives.  When the Christian examines the “Big Picture” of life he or she should see their existence in the context of their relationship with God, the Father.  Our question should not be ‘what should I do with my life’, but rather, ‘what does God have in store for me with this life’.  As Christians, and philosophically as mankind, I believe we can only find our purpose for being when we look beyond ourselves and at the greater meaning of life.  This forces our eyes to God, the Creator of all things.

            Now this is all a bit metaphysical and philosophical, but here is where I want to apply it to all of us.  I fear that one of the greatest traps of the Enemy is distraction.  The Enemy would love to distract our eyes from the cross, our attention from the Word, our hearts from compassion, and our time from God.  He would like to see us indulge at every level – mentally, physically, and spiritually – in ourselves and our self interest.  And it is surprising the ways in which he can get this done. 

            C.S. Lewis in his book, The Screwtape Letters, suggests a dialogue between an apprentice demon (Wormwood) and his uncle as they work on a human subject:

            My dear Wormwood, I wonder you should ask me whether it is essential to keep the patient in ignorance of your own existence.  That question, at least for the present phase of the struggle, has been answered for us by the High Command.  Our policy, for the moment, is to conceal ourselves.

            You see, the Enemy would like for us to believe that this world is all there is.  That’s it.  Our schedule is all-important, our goals are immediate and outweigh any long-term commitments that rely on something as shaky as faith.  Why place importance on obedience and loyalty when you only go around one time in life, so you might as well get your money’s worth?

            This temptation to hold back in our obedience and our devotion to God is very hard to defend against and strikes at the core level of our lives.  But think about what would happen if Christians approached their relationship with God nominally.  There would be Christians who never grew in the faith even though they spent years in the church.  There would be Christians ignorant of even the basics of the Scriptures because they never devoted time to study the Word.  There would be Christians who lacked a consistent prayer life, a heart for the lost, and a passion to carry on the work of Christ in real ways that impacted real people who really need to hear the Gospel’s good news.

            Wait a minute!  That sounds familiar…

            You see, that’s my great fear.  We have underestimated the Enemy and he is throwing us off track with attacks that remain invisible to our spiritual senses.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the worked but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.”  (James 1:22-25)

            Here’s my point to all of this: don’t forget why you’re here.  I challenge you to remember that you are called to a task in His Kingdom. (I Tim. 6:12)  There is not greater calling or urgency in your life than to serve the needs of your Master in Heaven. (I Peter 2:21)  This applies across the board – in your family, in your business, in your friendships, in your secret, personal ambitions in life.  Test your life by fire and refine it.  "Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance that race marked out for us” (Heb. 12:1) and win it.  Remember that God, through Jesus, set us free. (Gal. 5:1)  Use your freedom to serve Him not to sin by sloth. (Galatians 5:13)  Don’t become a slave to things of this world again (Rom. 8:15) and so burden yourself with too many events, activities, obligations, and so on that keep you from fostering a growing relationship with God.

            You know, we have sign-ups every week for a myriad of different things.  You have ample opportunity to serve in many roles in this church.  But here is the two-edged struggle that I – and you – face:  you can’t do everything and be in everything.  You can’t.  I don’t think it is spiritually healthy to try.  It creates a busy Christian, but not necessarily a growing one.

            Now, wait, let me finish.  We NEED people to serve!  We do.  We hope that people will come and join lots of stuff that we offer.  But there is a way to accomplish this – the more people you have involved, then the less each individual must do to support the ministries. 

            (Does anyone else feel like I’m writing Jerry McGuire’s mission statement?)

            But seriously, what I am challenging you each to do is to consider - what are a couple of things that you could put your time in and do well?  And then what things should be left to others?  There are some events/activities at HCC that I am not involved in because I just can’t be.  I’d like to, but I just can’t do it all.  And that’s okay.  But I do serve where I can and encourage others to serve.

            So, if you need permission to say ‘no’ to some things, I’ll give it to you.  Say no. However, (you knew I’d say however), you do need to evaluate where you can say ‘yes’ and then do it with all your might and with the commitment that God will supply. (Col. 1:10-12)

            I pray that each Christian involved in the Lighthouse will find their niche to serve and then serve.  I pray that you will each seek fellowship and accountability in the coming year.  But I also pray that you will not overextend yourself so that you can devote yourself to God.  I’ll give you permission to say ‘no’, but I won’t tell you to relax – the Enemy is too near for that.

            We need people within the Lighthouse to help carry out our many ministries we offer and keep them successful.  I’ll warn you, I’m going to come calling in the next month and ask some of you to fill our gaps.  But I’m looking for commitment – both to the task and to God.  Please consider the opportunities you have available and pray for wisdom.

            And above all, don’t forget why you’re here.  Serve God, don’t just read about it, and then enjoy the blessings that flow from the Father to those who are obedient to the call.  Our Enemy “prowls around like a roaring lion”. (I Pet. 5:8)  Let’s meet the battle – in force – together with God.

Serving with you,

Evan