And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 NIV
When You Feel Like It Doesn't Matter
Psychologists tell us that we ask ourselves “Why bother?” every time we are confronted with doing something that’s not fun. You know what I’m talking about: volunteering, tithing, fixing the fence, asking a hard question, or just whether to get out of bed to go to church on Sunday morning, We often find ourselves delaying gratification; we have to do something that’s not going to give us immediate pleasure. Parents confront this issue every day from their children. “Why do I have to go to school?” “But I don’t want to [insert a myriad of unpleasant tasks here.”] Adults aren’t immune; paying taxes, working overtime, and even, occasionally asking “do I really have to go to work today?”
Delaying gratification requires a little grit. Really, it requires faith that our actions will eventually result in a payback.
We’ll be concluding our study of the Old Testament book of Ruth. It’s a story written about a period in Hebrew history filled with apostasy, lawlessness and famine, and it tells an all-to-common story of loss and pain set in a village of hardworking peasants trying to survive a famine as best they can. But it’s also a story that reveals how God often accomplishes His loving purposes quietly, with little fanfare, through ordinary people who overcome adversity with God’s strategic (albeit quiet) intervention. The book of Ruth reminds us that God blesses our delayed gratification, when we choose to do our duty, when we go beyond what is strictly required. Ruth shows us how God works behind the scenes to redeem our problems and pain, as long as we don’t lose faith in the process.
Are you feeling like all of your delayed gratification hasn’t resulted in any payoff? Are you asking yourself “why bother”? Do you feel like your life is out of your control (it is) or that God has forgotten you (He hasn’t)? Come find out how faith in God can transform your life. Join us at our contemporary service on Saturday at 5:00 pm, and/or the traditional worship services on Sunday at 8:15 am and 10:50 am. Your kids won’t want to miss our “Kingdom Quest” pre-school and student gatherings, and you’ll enjoy making new friends and learning more about your faith in our expanded array of adult bible study classes, all held at 9:30 am on Sunday.
On Sunday at 2:30 pm, you won’t want to pass up the opportunity to hear The Brass Project play in concert. A New York-based brass sextet, their concert will feature Baroque and Renaissance music and nearly 40 short new works they have commissioned from a diverse range of established and emerging composers. One of the members is Trinity’s own Oliver Barrett, son of John and Janice Barrett. This free concert will be held in the sanctuary. You can see more details here.
This weekend come learn how placing our faith and fears in the hands of Jesus can lessen our stress load and bring deep transformation in our hearts. Celebrate with us the depth of Jesus’ love for us and find out how you can live a life of significance, filled with meaning. Discover how following Jesus can help you and your family navigate around the minefields of life.
Come get a fresh jolt of spiritual energy at Trinity Downtown. It will make a tremendous difference in your life.