November 2, 2017
“Didn’t see that coming!” Have you ever said that? Okay, that was a rhetorical question. How about these?
“It doesn’t get any better than this.”
“Can it get any worse?”
“I never thought my life would turn out this way.”
“Who knew life could be so good.”
“It’s a tragedy!”
“It’s a miracle!”
You and I are called to live this incredible life of faith in the midst of the highs and the lows, tragedy and triumph, life and death, setbacks and breakthroughs. For Naomi, whose story we find in the book of Ruth, it was mostly lows, bad news, bad breaks and situations where you want to just say, “Really? I mean come on…really?” Even when her daughter-in-law Ruth tried to encourage her, Naomi said (paraphrased), “Look, my life can’t get any worse. Obviously, God has something against me because…really?”
Simply put, we’re better together because life can be hard. It’s like a roller coaster. One minute you’re on top of the world, and the next, you’re hurtling toward the bottom. Sometimes the only comfort you can find is in knowing you’re not alone.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
– Romans 12:15
Two can accomplish more than twice as much as one, for the results can be much better. If one falls, the other pulls him up; but if a man falls when he is alone, he’s in trouble. Also, on a cold night, two under the same blanket gain warmth from each other, but how can one be warm alone? And one standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer; three is even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
– Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Ruth is a great example of what we call Doing Life Together. This small four-chapter book is packed with practical wisdom on how to do life with others, or…not. As I mentioned in last week’s sermon, when someone can walk out of your life, and they choose to do so, then they are not meant to be part of your destiny. God will put the people around who will journey with you to your promised land. Trust Him. It doesn’t take away the pain and it doesn’t change what happened, but it does give you hope.
On Sunday, November 12, we’ll celebrate 30 years of Doing Life Together and being Better Together. That’s 3 decades of people coming to Cathedral, touching the Spirit of God, finding freedom, and realizing they belong. After the 11 am service, we’ll all head over to the athletic fields. Don’t worry about bringing food or entertaining the kids, WE’LL HAVE FOOD TRUCKS AND JUMP CASTLES! Bring your wallet, chairs, blankets, and outdoor games and let’s just enjoy being a church family!
I’ll see you Sunday!
Mike Lewis
Cathedral