From the Ashes, A New Beginning

The Colusa Fire Department did a controlled burn of our sanctuary on Saturday, May 10. I was there, with camcorder in hand, to record this event. I didn’t count them, but it seemed like about twenty firefighters were there. They were very methodical in their preparation, cutting ventilation holes in the roof in several places, having the big ladder positioned above the structure, with its powerful water-spraying ability. It was an education just to watch them in action! Our community should be very proud to have such a dedicated team of men and women ready at a moments notice to protect us from the perils of fire!

We are looking forward to a new, improved, modern worship center in which to begin making new, wonderful memories!   It is my hope and prayer that we will truly be the “church on fire” with the zeal and passion of a called-out bunch of Christians who are Spirit-filled and Spirit-led and who make a positive impact on our community and county as we minister life, truth, and love to those we have the privilege to serve.

I am reminded of the Egyptian mythical bird called a phoenix, which at the end of its life-cycle builds itself a nest of cinnamon twigs that it then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix arises.

I am also reminded of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.  Now everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us.  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ’s behalf,  “Be reconciled to God.”  He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Christianity is all about new beginnings! Life is tough, rough, mean, unfair, and even brutal at times. We make mistakes that often compound our troubles. Before we know it, we are in a “fix” and life is not what we intended it to be. We become discouraged, disillusioned, and even depressed. Where do we turn? What do we do?

I have found that Jesus Christ is the answer to our deepest needs. He offers new life to those who are tired of life as it is. He offers a new beginning to those who feel like life has come to an end. He offers joy to the joyless, hope to the hopeless, love to the loveless, peace to those in turmoil, faith to the faithless, strength to the weak, purpose to those who feel that life has no purpose.

If you are searching for answers to life’s meaning, I urge you to seek out a good, Bible-believing, Christ-honoring, people-loving church and worship and fellowship with them. You too, can find, out of the ashes of your life, a new beginning!

Pastor Samuel can be reached at 696-0563 or 701-6668 or  via e-mail at sskrouse@succeed.net.