April 12, 2019

Dear Cathedral Family,

What do you do when it feels like your life is On Pause? How do you hold onto hope when you find yourself “in the waiting” with no change in sight?

Especially when it seems like the hits just keep coming and tempt you to fall into the trap of believing lies, BIG LIES, like – God has abandoned me, God doesn’t see me, or I’m all alone!

Here’s just some of what happened to the Apostle Paul:

Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.

I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.

I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 2 Corinthians 11:24-28

YET, in the very next chapter, Paul says this: …

I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

What enables a person to flip the switch and shift the perspective on life’s circumstances?  

I think Paul had grabbed onto this promise:

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

A dear lady who served at our reception desk for many years encouraged countless people with this phrase, “God isn’t mad AT you; He’s mad ABOUT you!” That’s good news that everyone needs to hear.

Easter is just a little over a week away, and I’m asking for your help. YOU are the one who has the most influence in your corner of the world. A personal invitation from you could be just the nudge someone in your world needs to make the decision to attend church this Easter. And it could change their lives and their family for all of eternity!

So, I encourage you to begin (or continue) to pray about who God would have you invite to join you for a service this Easter Sunday, April 21. Then be bold! Make the ask!!  Find out more here.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday!

Mike Lewis
Cathedral