I’ve been seeing a lot of reflective 2012 video montages. CBS put together a very moving montage of famous people who passed away. We remember people like Dick Clark and Whitney Houston. Sportscenter put together a bloopers montage with Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez running into the backside of his own player and fumbling the ball.
Perhaps you too recently reflected on your own wins and losses, bloopers and blunders in 2012. And the great thing about this time of year is that we close the book on all we’d like to forget - forging ahead toward a new year. And what lays before us in 2013? Opportunity.
Many people will suggest how to you should use your opportunities. I was reading from Forbes and one author suggested you should drop social media. The author cited social media has the potential to lower your self-esteem and raise your blood pressure. Your friend at school may recommend you join a team or go on a trip with a year of opportunity. A co-worker may suggest you talk to her financial advisor. You already may have in mind some of the opportunities you will seize in the new year.
Can I make one more suggestion? Here it is. Investigate Christianity. I’m assuming that many of you have been exposed to Christianity or Christians and some may have been left with questions or hang-ups. You might have legitimate reasons why you made a break. Understood. We are shaped by our past. And something I’m not afraid to admit is that there is no perfect church or perfect Christian or perfect pastor for that matter.
But the message was never about perfect people. It was about a God’s forgiveness for imperfect people flowing from a cross.
Why investigate Christianity? A couple reasons if you don’t have fuel in the tank for it. Because at one point or another this world will end. The Mayans may have been off a few Fridays ago, but the world and our lives will not continue forever. Instead of planning for another year, why not plan for forever, for eternity. Why else? ‘Cause even if your experience wasn’t a great one. The message is that good, that uplifting, that life-changing.
To give you a taste of that message, let me share with you one of the sweetest passages of the Bible, “When we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Sin made us his enemy, but Jesus died for us anyway. Can you imagine giving your life for your enemy? That would take some kind of love. And that’s exactly the kind of unconditional, amazing love Jesus has for us.
So investigate it. If you’re looking for an avenue we have a class for you. It’s called Starting Point. It starts Thursday, January 17th at 7:00pm. It’s a great class. All questions welcome. We’ll investigate together. Email “starting point” to pastorblumer@gmail.com to sign up. We meet at 21301 Pfeiffer Rd, Frankfort IL right by the Frankfort Library.