Message from Pastor Carol: May 2017

Joyful Faith
Have you ever read the story of David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1-15) and been struck by the spectacle of the men carrying a beautifully ornate ark, musicians going before it lyrically announcing its coming and David, the king, dancing jubilantly around it? What an awe-inspiring group of people caught in the grip of celebration and ecstasy as they bring the presence of God to town! How did this kind of joy become possible? What did David do so that he was given the privilege to transport the ark? David allowed himself to be chosen, daily!
  
David began his life as Jesse’s youngest son. This was a position of little power or blessing; but when Samuel anointed David as God’s chosen, he responded by doing the personal work it was going to take to become the king of the Israelites. David responded daily by embracing that God was guiding, inspiring and providing for David and the Israelites.
  
“Delight yourself in the Lord and God will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4) God is with us to live out our hopes, desires and dreams if we are willing to do the work we are called to do. Much of what David accomplished could in fact be attributed to human perseverance, luck, or military superiority. And, I believe that David was happy that he was politically powerful but I believe that he danced with all his might before the Lord because he knew that it was only by the grace of God that he was powerful. When human agency and dedication intersect with divine grace and power, we can ignite the kind of joy that David experienced in bringing the ark; and representatively God, among his people.
           
God has called us to this same kind of joy! As we choose to embrace God’s guidance, inspiration and providential care, we will experience the desires of our hearts. If we want a happy family, then we seek the things that draw us closer and nurture each member. If we want a successful career, then we discipline and sacrifice willingly those things that make for success. If we want a church that is thriving and vital, then we must be willing to focus on what God is doing and choose to join the work. God will bless our efforts and God is with us during the difficult days of growth, sacrifice and change enabling us to dance before the presence of God is our midst!
 

 
Blessings,
Pastor Carol