Summer’s drawing to a close.
These suddenly cooler days remind us that this is so, and that we're entering the time of year when we tell ourselves, whether with anticipation or with anxiety, that life is about to get full real fast. That's not a bad thing in itself. As we learned on Sunday, work is good. School is good. Church ministry—which for us is rebooting this week—is good, too.
But if we're not careful, "busyness" can be costly, even damaging, to our souls—especially when it becomes a habit and an unexamined lifestyle. Here's one reason why: endless toil sometimes keeps us from cultivating vital relationships. Consider these words of wisdom from Ecclesiastes 4:8:
There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
Work and productivity, along with the wealth or reputation we expect to follow, are terrible substitutes for real people. This fall, many of us will be tempted to forfeit friendship in the name of "fruitfulness." But this is a spiritual mirage. Our hearts crave—and need—friends. Verses 9-12 remind us why:
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
As we head into September, amidst the crunch of our wide-ranging commitments, let's remember to make room for friends. Foster friendship. Even in little ways. Even when it costs you a notch or two of "productivity." Be the friend you wish you had. Help each other up. Let each other in. Keep each other warm. It's cold out there.
By the grace of our true friend Jesus,
Pastor Duke
P.S.
Prayer Service on Thurs 9/5, 6:30pm (childcare provided)
Family Reunion on Sat 9/7, 10am-1pm, picnic and play at Rock Creek Park (Picnic Area 1)!
Galatians. Our new fall sermon series? Galatians! Starts this Sunday!
Life Groups. NGs and Moms Group restart next week! Also...Sunday groups!
RUF@Howard. Pray for Pastor Cyril Chavis and the new campus ministry!
Pastor's Pen is a new monthly reflection shared with GMH members.