Hello Friends!
 
On Sunday, my travels took me to a non-denominational church. Sacrilegious, I know. Stay within the brand, Mark. I’m sorry friends … I’ll do better. But, I heard a great sermon on Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace. The preacher was comparing cultural gods versus THE God. The smaller story of worshipping idols to avoid punishment versus the larger story of worshipping God because of love. Temporal versus eternal.
 
Then we were asked these questions:

• What cultural cues have become more important to you than cues from your faith?
• What do you spend most of your time worshipping?
• Which rewards are of higher value to you?

On the surface, none of these questions were particularly earth-shattering. And yet, I got called out with each one. When I think about my family acclimating to our recent appointment move, I find myself asking cultural questions rather than faith-based ones. More questions about if new ministry opportunities would be well-received rather than more kingdom-minded questions.
 
At the church we can do this too: 

• Who do I need to win over?
• What is the safe thing to do?
• What will get me an easy win?

Know that these times are not easy. Staying focused on what God is asking of us, where the Spirit is leading us or what is worth the sacrifice Christ made for us – these questions and answers are not easy. And they look different across the state. That’s why we continue to be in prayer for you and ask for you to continue to be in prayer for each other. If you are struggling, if you are worn out or if you need to talk to somebody so you can brag on what Jesus is doing in your church but are afraid to share with anyone else – please reach out. We are here for you.
 
The best is yet to come!
Mark Sheets
 
Spirit, I reach out to you in prayer today. Prayers for when I feel weary. For when I’m confused or frustrated. For when I feel like giving up. For when I fall victim to cultural battles and push my faith to a distant second. I pray for anyone else feeling this way. I also pray for those who, even in the midst of the chaos, are doing well. For those experiencing an uptick in ministry but are quiet about what you’re doing in their midst because they don’t want to offend those around them struggling. Remind all of us to focus on you. To not sacrifice the wins or losses of today’s smaller story at the expense of the larger story you’re writing. Keep us faithful in the midst of the fire to the One who helps us to walk through it  and be refined by it … in whose name we pray … Amen