After The Storm

It's hard to believe that only a short while ago our community was boarding up its windows in preparation for Hurricane Irma. Months ago billboards were blown over, but now they are decorated with Christmas lights and announcements about the holidays. As our city grows busier, there is a kind of beauty to seeing streets that were recently full of debris now full of holiday shoppers. It gives me hope.
Inside, we are a lot like this city. Hurricanes have swept through our lives and left a damage everywhere. We have a choice to make. We can wallow in our misfortune and retreat into ourselves, OR, we can reprioritize and continue moving forward in God's mission. 2 Corinthians 5 says, "…we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight." (ESV) It is a reminder of the different perspective we hold as Jesus followers. Our hope is not found in staying dry or keeping our houses full of stuff. It is in the life we can already live right now in Christ! Do you believe that Jesus Christ has paid for your sins and that your faith in him will save you? If you do, then proudly decorate your damaged roof for Christmas! You may even find yourself bringing hope for those searching for it this season!