“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now is springs up; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:18-19a
Which was an ironic thing for the prophet to say to God’s people in exile in Babylon, because he had just reminded them of the past! Verses 16 and 17 recount God’s deliverance of his people another time when they were in exile many years before—that time in the land of Egypt.
So, does God want us to look back or forward?
In this space, since my election as Texas District president last summer, I have been writing about the common cause of reaching those far from God’s love for them, a cause that we share and that arises out of the common convictions—also shared—about the truths of God’s Word and the way of salvation. We engage in our cause and we maintain our convictions best when we encourage each other and evangelically hold one another accountable in common community. Check out 1 Timothy 4:16, 2 Corinthians 5:14ff., Acts 15:1-31, and 1 Corinthians 12:4-31.
One of the great privileges that I am afforded as Texas District president is the opportunity to celebrate with congregations at milestone anniversaries. Recently, I was able to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Holy Cross in Arlington, where Rev. Luke Madsen is pastor. It was fascinating to hear the words of 90+ year old founding pastor of Holy Cross, Rev. Stanley Jones, who traveled from his home in Arkansas for the occasion. He recounted the hard work—the temporary meeting places—working together with the Texas District to finance their first facility—and, most of all, the excitement of starting something new.
The 100th anniversary of Immanuel, Temple, where Rev. Grayson Albers is senior pastor, was another opportunity to join in celebration. More than 100 years ago, pastors with missionary fervor from Copperas Cove and The Grove began ministering to those in the Temple area. The congregation, with its first pastor, Rev. Arthur Beyer, was chartered in 1926 and worshipped in the Falke home before the construction of their first sanctuary in 1928.
What blessings of the past! What blessings have there been in your life, your congregation?
Does God want us to look back—or forward? Yes! (Both!)
As these two wonderful congregations did, God wants us to look back, remembering his goodness and faithfulness to us—the wonderful blessings of the past. And then we’re called upon to see those past blessings as springboards to look forward in faith to the wonderful journey that lies ahead and the ways God will continue to bless us. The reasons for our cause have not gone away. Our convictions remain the same. We’re blessed with a vital community—fellow brothers and sisters in the faith—to journey the road ahead. Can you feel the excitement?
Or, in the words of the prophet, “Do you not perceive it?”
By President Jon Braunersreuther