May our Lord fill you with His everlasting peace and His overwhelming resurrection power!
Category Archives: Pastoral thoughts
Guess Who’s Coming to Town
“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” (John 1:14 The Message)
What does one say at the end of a year like 2020? As I began to ponder this Curry I had the opportunity to preach on the first Sunday of Advent. I chose Luke 21:25-28 as my passage: “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” The sermon was entitled “When Will God Come?” It centered on the sure and certain hope we have that God always comes when the time is right.
On my way home my wife and I were listening to Christmas music. As “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” began she got theological and, reflecting on the sermon, said “You should turn this into a religious song.” I chuckled – until I couldn’t get it out of my head. So several days later, I made an attempt. I hope it will brighten your day and energize your preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth.
“Jesus Christ is Coming on Down
(There’s Grace for You to Take)”
You better watch out, You better not cry
You better not pout I’m telling you why
Jesus Christ is coming on down
He’s making a list, Not checking it twice,
Already knows who’s naughty or nice.
Jesus Christ is coming on down
He’s with you when you’re sleeping
And when you’re awake –
Whether you’ve been bad or good
There is grace for you to take
You better watch out, You better not cry
You better not pout, I’m telling you why
Jesus Christ is coming on down
He’s come once before, and He’ll come again
With hope for today and also for then,
Jesus Christ is coming on down
He’ll bring peace to those who are of good will
Promising that their hearts He will fill
Jesus Christ is coming on down
Then those who will receive Him will have a jubilee
He’s gonna’ fill their hearts with love
And with joy for all to see.
So! You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I’m telling you why
Jesus Christ is coming on down
Curry Pikkaart, © 2020
Lessons from the Tower
As I recalled 9/11 this past week, I went back to see what I preached the following Sunday. What I found was that at least some lessons of that message are important for our current time as well. So I’m sharing them, slightly edited, with you today.
LESSON 1: GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY. Our world is filled with evil and tragedy but God still rules the world. He is sovereign. Psalm 46 states, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging…(and I would add though the towers fall, though COVID strikes )… Nations are in an uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.” Revelation pictures Jesus Christ, who said “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”, sitting on the throne ruling the world. Martin Luther penned, “Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.” Remember, God is sovereign.
LESSON 2: OUR SECURITY. Our American sense of safety and security has been shattered. We are experiencing fear – a fear that has previously been unknown to most of us. We wonder, “If this could happen, what’s next?” When the tower fell, when COVID hit, our smugness and invincibility fell as well.
But, thank God, we are safe. “The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident… For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock… Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27). “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10). This invincible tower is not one we run from in fear but towards in faith. Its name is Jesus. America’s tower may have fallen but at the resurrection and ascension of Jesus another, greater one rose up. “No one can snatch them from my hand.” Or as Paul put it, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39, underlining mine). We are safe in Christ.
LESSON 3: OUR STRENGTH. In times like this we feel powerless. After all, the USA is THE power of the world. We are invincible. No one would dare come after us. Nothing can destroy us. We have raised a generation that believes it can do anything and will always succeed. And we love to feel the strength this feeling of power brings. But then the tower fell (COVID struck). And we realize just how impotent we are. We are not in control. We do not call all the shots.
But we can pray. “…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.” Surely we have been humbled; now it’s time to pray – for victims, leaders, rescue workers, families, friends, co-workers, other nations, for Christ’s Church. James wrote (4:6-7): “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.” Jesus said, “My Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” There is no greater power. Our strength derives from prayer.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14).
I’m Out
Shark Tank is an interesting TV show. When investors are interested in a business they offer a deal. But if there is something about the business they do not like or makes them wary, or it won’t – in their opinion – be profitable or worth their time, they say “I’m out” and ‘walk away’ from offering a deal. They don’t want to take a risk with their money.
One night it hit me – I, too, have said “I’m out.” Not in relation to making a huge monetary investment, but in my commitment to follow Jesus. I began to think of all the times I’ve hesitated to speak up for Jesus, refused to get involved in something because it was controversial, felt unqualified to go where He was leading me, or didn’t want to risk my reputation. It wasn’t a good feeling.
But then I remembered I’m not alone. Jesus spoke eloquently about being the Bread of Life and how He was from ‘the Father.’ It was a lot to take in and sounded strange. In fact it sounded downright scary. John tells us, “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him” (John 6:66). They said “I’m out.” How about you? Have you ever told Jesus “I out?”
It’s so easy to do today. The political and cultural climates have, in many ways, put Christians on the defensive. To speak up, get involved and truly follow Jesus will lead to opposition. Criticism – and sometimes even punishment – will result. We may lose our popularity or reputation. We’re not used to that and not sure we can withstand the pressure. So we quietly say “I’m out” and walk away. We don’t want to take the risk.
Jesus knew it would be this way. “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause’” (John 15:18-25 NLT). And here’s Jesus’ reason for sharing this: “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me. Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning” (John 16:1-4 NLT).
Thousands of Christians around the world have been experiencing 
this persecution and hardship far beyond what we can imagine. They have experienced the harsh reality of Jesus’ words. But they have stood fast even while paying a great price. They are our inspiration as they have also experienced this reality: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
When have you said “I’m out?” How or where do you need to take a risk and get back to following Jesus? How will you do so? And how can you support and encourage our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world?** Are you out – or in?
**Four organizations that provide information and opportunities:
Family Research Council: https://www.frc.org/international-religious-freedom
Open Doors: https://www.opendoorsusa.org/
I Pray: https://www.ipray.me/
Voice of the Martyrs: https://www.persecution.com/
Remember the Ant
A young woman named Brenda shared an amazing story (1). She was invited to go rock climbing. Although very scared, she went with her group to a tremendous granite cliff. In spite of her fear, she put on the gear, took a hold on the rope, and started up the face of that rock. She finally got to a ledge where she could catch her breath. As she was hanging there, the safety rope snapped against Brenda’s eye and knocked out her contact lens. Now she’s on a rock ledge with hundreds of feet below her and hundreds of feet above her. She looked as best she could, hoping it had landed on the ledge, but it wasn’t there. She was desperate and started to become upset, so she prayed for help to the Lord to help her find it.
She resumed her climb, blurry eyes and all. When she got to the top a friend examined here eye and her clothing for the lens, but there was no lens to be found. She sat down despondent, with the rest of the party, waiting for some others to complete the climb. She looked out across range after range of mountains, thinking of the Bible verse, “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth.” She thought, “Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me.”
Finally they walked down the trail to the bottom. At the bottom there was a new party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, “Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?” That’s amazing enough.
But you know how the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across the face of the rock carrying the lens on its back.
Brenda’s father is a cartoonist so he drew a cartoon with an ant lugging that contact lens – underneath he put the words: “Lord, I don’t know why You want me to carry this thing. I can’t eat it, and it’s awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I’ll carry it for you.”
The conclusion: “I think it would probably do some of us good to occasionally say, ‘God, I don’t know why you want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it’s awfully heavy. But if You want me to carry it, I will.” God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. ”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.””
Perhaps you feel you’ve been asked to carry quite a load lately. It’s been heavy. But just perhaps, if you continue to carry it in faith, others will soon be able to see life clearly once again. So, when your vision gets blurry, remember the ant!
And in the meantime, reach out to Jesus.:
Is your burden heavy as you bear it all alone?
Does the road you travel, harbor dangers yet unknown?
Are you growin’ weary in the struggle of it all?
Jesus will help you with all his name you call.
Is the life you’re living filled with sorrow and despair?
Does the future press you with its worry and its scare?
Are you tired and jealous, have you almost your way?
Jesus will help you, just talk to him today
He’s always there hearing every prayer, faithful and true
Walking by our side, in his love we hide all the day through
When you get discouraged just remember what to do
Reach out to Jesus, he’s reaching out to you. (2)
(1) Elliott, Elisabeth. Keep a Quiet Heart. Vine Books, 1995. ISBN 0-892-83906-6 (p. 119).
Ms. Elliot attributed the story to a first-person account sent to her by Brenda Foltz of Princeton, Minnesota, who maintained she wrote it based upon an event that occurred during her first rock-climbing experience.
(2) Ralph Carmichael
Heart Check
The post on Facebook read, “We don’t need religion to be moral – in our hearts we know what’s right.’ It’s a popular sentiment. “Just follow your heart.” It sounds so good, so logical, so easy. But is it wise?
What if your heart and my heart disagree? And what if our disagreement means we’re at polar opposites on an issue that demands conflicting actions? Let’s assume we both, at the same time, come upon a man ready to jump off a bridge and commit suicide. I want to let him jump and you want to stop him. I believe he has a right to do it, and should be allowed to do it – after all, it’s what his heart is telling him to do. So I will do whatever is necessary to be sure he jumps. But you believe it’s wrong and that he should be stopped, and will do whatever is necessary to stop him. How do we resolve our differences – after all, we can’t both do what our heart tells us to do without major conflict. How do we know what’s ‘right?’
In Bunyan’s classic “Pilgrim’s Progress” Christian and Ignorance have a conversation.
Christian: “What leads you to believe that you have given up all for God and Heaven?”
Ignorance: “My heart tells me that I have.”
“But is your heart reliable? The Bible says, ‘He that trusts in his own heart is a fool.’”
”That is spoken of a fool. I’m no fool. My heart is wise and good.”
“But how do you know that? What means have you of testing your heart?”
“My heart comforts me in the hope of Heaven.”
“That may be through its deceitfulness. Jeremiah the prophet said, ‘The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?’ A man’s heart may give him hope when there are no grounds for his hope.”
“But my heart and my life agree, so my hope is well grounded.”
“What proof have you that your heart and life agree?”
“My heart tells me so.”
“Your heart tells you so! Except the Word of God bears witness, other testimony is of no value.” [i]
We may not agree on what the standard should be, but the fact is we need an unchanging standard – a holy, righteous guide. The Bible qualifies.
“For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Heb. 4:12) The ‘one to whom we must give account’ is Jesus, the holy righteous one who knows our hearts. “… God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.” (Luke 16:15) “I am He who searches hearts… (Revelation 2:23). “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come…” (Mark 7:21) So before you follow your heart, check it. Jesus exposes our hearts so we can open them to His Spirit.
Ezekiel prophesied, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” (36:26-27). Is your heart filled with God’s Spirit? If so, follow it. If not, ask Jesus to fill your heart today. It’s the right thing to do.
[i] John Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress in Today’s English, Moody Publishers, Chicago, © 1992 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, p. 139
It’s All About the Dirt!
I had the joy and challenge of preaching today from John 8:2-11. The religious leaders set a trap to catch a woman in adultery. They then victimized her by using her to trick Jesus. Portraying her as the dirty one they ask Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”
I’m impacted by Jesus’ response. “Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And their response? “At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.”
Jesus turned the scene of accusation into a time of self-examination. And the religious leaders were snared in their own trap. They, too, were dirty. There was plenty of dirt to go around. Here’s what really struck me. We are bombarded daily with finger pointing and dirt throwing. The fault always lies with someone else and that someone else has dirt in their lives. So call them names, besmirch their reputation, and push the attention away from yourself. After all, you’re certainly more righteous and cleaner than they are. We hear it in politics, government, media, the workplace, our communities, our homes and even our churches. And in the process of doing so we all get dirtier.
But we also see it in ourselves. Have you ever pointed an accusing finger?
Have you ever condemned someone else? Have you ever done so even when you knew it wasn’t kosher? Have you ever been quick to throw the dirt on someone while ignoring your dirt? We, too, are guilty.
But what if we lived by Jesus’ qualification that only those who are without sin can judge, point the finger and throw the dirt? Would you qualify to judge? Perhaps before pointing the finger and throwing the dirt, we should take time for self-examination. Jesus wants to remind us that we too often demand standards from others that we do not fulfill in ourselves and condemn in others what is glaring in ourselves. There’s plenty of dirt to go around.
So I wonder. What if we followed Jesus’ words and example? What if we lived in the Spirit of Jesus? “Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ. Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God” (Ephesians 4:32-5:2 CEV). I wonder – would it begin to change our world? I have a hunch it just might. But if not, at least it will change us! And I, for one, need changing.
The Times They are A-changing
Bob Dylan once sang, “The times, they are a-changing.” It’s more true now than when he sang it.
Change is a fact of life. We know change happens, but few of us find it easy or relish it. We are often comfortable with the way things are or, even more accurately, with the way things used to be. Therefore we often see change as the enemy and fight it rather than manage it or adapt to it. But as Charles Kettering wrote, “The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress.”
For centuries, people believed that Aristotle was right when he said that the heavier an object, the faster it would fall to earth. Aristotle was, after all, regarded as the greatest of all times and surely could not be wrong! So no one really challenged that belief until nearly 2000 years after Aristotle’s death. In 1589 Galileo went to the top the leaning Tower of Pisa and pushed off a ten-pound and a one-pound weight. Both landed at the same time. But the power of belief in the familiar, conventional and comfortable wisdom was so strong that people denied what they had seen. They continued to say Aristotle was right, reinforcing the observation by Niccolo Machiavelli in his book, The Prince, that: “There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct or more uncertain in its success than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.”
It is never an issue of if things are going to change – things will always change. It’s an issue of determining our response to change. Will we fear it and fight it, or welcome it, manage it and creatively adapt to it? As Giuseppe Maccini put it, “Slumber not in the tents of your fathers. The world is advancing – advance with it.” Just one example. In my lifetime we have gone from the introduction of the 
black and white TV with pre-recorded programs to cameras mounted on computer monitors which enable us to see – live – the person with whom we are communicating. What sense does it make to fight this great progress? Why not learn to use it in creative and wholesome ways? Consider the impact of this great new – and still changing technology – during the COVID 19 pandemic. Businesses, families, churches, medical facilities – to mention a few – have found valuable new ways of communicating and being together.
We need to prayerfully welcome, manage 
and adapt to change – make it our friend and ally. The key is always to maintain our principles and core values while being flexible with our techniques and methods. “Methods are many, principles are few; methods often change, principles never do.” Only God, after all, never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. That means His character and His heart never waver; but how He works through and among His people and in His world is always changing. Author Henry Blackaby wrote, “God is always at work, and our job is to find out what’s He’s up to and join Him.” That is the best approach to change I know. Keep close to Christ and we will not only ride the winds of change – we will create the changes!
Until next blog …unless, of course, things change!
Have It Your Way
Burger King popularized the phrase “Have it your way.” Through it they promoted the idea that whatever we wanted on our burger we could have. What we wanted we received. Unfortunately, over the years, the phrase was co-opted by our culture to encourage doing whatever we want whenever we want. I wonder if we are now having it our way?
I ask this because of Paul’s words: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts… Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts… so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:18-32).
Three times Paul mentions God ‘gave 
them over’. There are times when God removes His hand of protection and safety to let humankind have its own way –it’s as if He says, “If that’s what you want, so be it. I’ll let you have it your way.” And we reap the consequences of our actions. Indeed we have sown the wind and reaped the whirlwind.
As a sign I saw put it:
This Is Not BURGER KING. You Can’t Have it YOUR WAY.
Only when we submit to God’s way will life be different. The verses just prior to these ominous words of Paul are: “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life”” (Romans 1:17-18 NLT). God’s standard is Jesus. He is the Way. Where there is no standard for decisions and actions chaos reigns. Over the years we have seen God’s will through Jesus removed as the standard. As a result the basis for the sanctity of life, the base line for ethics and morality, the criteria for justice and righteousness have all disappeared. The only standard is what each person feels or believes it to be. And we have chaos. And make no mistake about it – we are part of the problem “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23 NLT).
There is only one way to end the chaos. “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are” (Romans 3:22 NLT).
Once right with God we are empowered by His Spirit to live godly, righteous lives. “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. …You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you” (Romans 8:5-9 NLT). The words of God through the prophet are apropos: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls” Jeremiah 6:16). Unfortunately God added: “But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” Whether or not that will what be written of us is up to us. Will you have it your way or God’s way?
Note:
My book “In God We Trust: A Nation Under God” is a good read for our times. For more information and/or to purchase at the lowest price go to: https://www.pastorcurry.com/product/a-nation-under-god/
What Good Is An Absent Jesus? (An Ascension Day Question)
Jesus told His disciples “It is for your good that I am going away” (John 16:7). Would the disciples be better off without Jesus? What good is an absent Jesus? The best expression of the answer, I believe, comes from the Heidelberg Catechism question and answer 49 which deals with the meaning of Jesus’ ascension. It has a three part answer.
First, “He pleads our cause in heaven in the presence of his Father.” Jesus advocates for our position. He defends and represents us, pleads our cases and causes and intercedes for us. “Who then will condemn us? Will Christ Jesus? No, for he is the one who died for us and was raised to life for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us” (Romans 8:34).
So we can:
- Let go of our guilt. “…if you do sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father. He is Jesus Christ …He takes away not only our sins but the sins of the whole world.” (I John 2:1-2).
- Draw near to God. Jesus died to open the way to God so we can build an intimate personal relationship with Him.
- Pray expectantly. After he told the disciples that He was going away Jesus said “You can ask for anything in my name and I will do it, because the work of the Son brings glory to the Father. Yes, ask anything in my name and I will do it” (John 14:13-14).
The second good the Catechism states is “…we have our own flesh in heaven – a guarantee that Christ our head will take us, His members, to Himself in heaven.” Jesus assures us of His protection. Just before He ascended He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Paul then wrote “… (he is) seated at (God’s) right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet…” (Ephesians 1:21 ff.).
He reigns from heaven but rules the earth. He may be absent in person from the earth, but He is positioned on the seat of divine power. Enemies with us and around us cannot destroy or deter us. We do fight against the flesh, the world, Satan, and the threat of death – but the battle has already been won! We may fail; we may fall ill; we may suffer misfortune; we may endure persecution; we may find our hopes dashed; life may fall to pieces all around us – but God is the ruler yet! Our future is guaranteed!
So we can walk by faith, not by sight. As Peter wrote “You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you’re happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy. Your reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8-9). So how do you feel? What does your life and faith communicate to a disbelieving world? Do you find yourself saying, “The world is such an awful place” or singing, “This is my Father’s world!” Walk by faith, not by sight – break apart the clouds of depression, rise above defeat, believe during uncertainty, build on failure. As the great hymn rings out: “When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Walk by faith, not by sight – for Jesus assures us of his protection.
The Catechism answer concludes, “Third, he sends his Spirit to us on earth as a further guarantee. By the spirit’s power we make the goal of our lives, not earthly things, but the things above where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand.” Jesus assists us with his power. “For His Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we will share his treasures – for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too” (Romans 8:16-17). He sends His spirit to focus us. We become conscious that we are children of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ! Paul wrote, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power” (Colossians 3:1). The Holy Spirit pulls us away from thoughts of sin and towards thoughts of Christ. The law of gravity acts to keep a 
plane from flying. But when a plane reaches a certain speed, the law of aerodynamics takes over and frees the plane from the effects of gravitational force. So the Holy Spirit frees us from the gripping, magnetic power of sin and sets our eyes and minds on Christ.
So we can be faithful. The Thessalonians were so sure Jesus was coming again very soon that they stopped everything to wait for Him. But Paul told them to get busy. There is to be no loitering – stop standing around, stop resting on memories of the way it used to be, stop waiting for things to change or get better. That’s why Jesus’ final words were “Go…make disciples… baptize…teach…obey.” The battle is over, the victory is secure. Get busy mopping up. We dare to believe that ordinary people like us have been called and empowered to be the continuation of Christ’s ministry on the world.
Puccini was one of the greatest composers of Italian opera, having composed such works as La Boheme and Madame Butterfly. He began his last opera, Turandot, as he was dying of cancer, convinced that if he did not finish it, his students would; and he died before it was completed. After his death the opera was completed, and its premiere performance was held, under the direction of Arturo Toscanini, who was the greatest conductor of that time and also one of Puccini’s students. All went brilliantly until at the end of the first scene in the third act, Toscanini abruptly halted the performance, laid down his baton, turned to the audience with tears streaming down his face, and said, ”Thus far the master wrote, but he died..” There was stunned silence. Then, triumphantly he picked up the baton and said, “But his disciples have completed his work.” Since Jesus assists us with His power, we can be faithful. Let’s finish the work!