Strike!

For the last two days the transportation workers have been on strike. The strike is a localized one but with far reaching consequences for the people here on the island. Those who organized this strike are upset about the governments' failure to complete with the promises that it made to the people of Chiloe. Supposedly the strike will not be lifting until the promises are completed. That could take a long time. So how does that affect us? Well, think about this. In order to get to the island one must cross a ferry from the mainland. Currently the "strikers" have closed off the passageways and no trucks and/or buses can get through. There is only a certain amount of supplies (food, gas, etc.) on the island at any given time. And now there are no fresh supplies coming in. The last time that there was a strike it lasted about a week. Many things ran out, but we still survived. This time as well there may be things that we will go without, but we will survive. It is at times like this when we realize what are the things that we want and what are the things that we truly need. The Lord has promised us that when we seek His kingdom and His righteousness that all these things that we need (food, clothes, shelter) will be provided for us. But so much more have we received in Christ. Forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with our Creator. Fortunately God didn't just get upset with us because of our sins and go on strike and refuse to do anything to rectify the situation. No, He took the initiative and did what only He could do. And now that we have received His grace and His mercy, may we not go on strike but may we faithfully serve Him as we should. We can be sure that He will always fulfill the promises that He has made. So again we are taught to put our hope in God and not in men. Men may promise us the world but they won't deliver. God has promised us heaven and He will deliver. Amen.

Deep roots

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (Colossians 2:6-7)
Those of us who have received Christ Jesus as our Lord must continue (persevere) in Him and have our roots grow down deeper in Him and His Word.
One of the first things that come to my mind when I think of deep roots is the redwood tree. Whereas I realize that it isn't the tree with the deepest roots ever (that would be a wild fig tree in south africa), it is a huge tree with very deep roots. That's what I want to be as a believer. No, I don't want to be a redwood tree, nor a fig tree for that matter. I want to be a man deeply rooted in Christ. I want to bear fruit for God's glory. (John 15:1-8) I want to be a man who encourages others to be deeply rooted in Christ. So please pray for me and for the ministry here in Curaco. May I continue to see my roots growing deeper in Christ and may those around me have the same thing happen in their lives.