Person County United Methodist Parishes 1/3/17 Devotion

Picture by Elizabeth Reiter 12/29/16

My Wife and I spent last week in Disney world, and I am always struck by the fact that people told Walt his dreams were impossible. His father thought being an animation artist was a waste of time, His brother thought they would run out of money before Snow White was finished, people around him thought it was crazy to build an amusement park and though it would never take off.  But he never lost sight of the dream he had when he drew that first picture of a little Mouse he called Mickey and is quoted saying “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.”

I have done my share of impossible things in my time as a church worker, student, child and sibling. I have held on to and let go of my share of dreams. And it strikes me today that as we enter this new year together that many of our churches and congregation members have done the impossible and dreamed big dreams or perhaps had to let go of some dreams we once had. But in the back of my mind I hear Walt echoing the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians, where he is giving them a word of encouragement and before my pixie dust turns to glitter on the shelf I feel the need to share a word of encouragement here this evening.

Paul says in Chapter 4 verses 11-13, "Not that I am referring to being in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." 

I can, We can, do all things through Christ who gives us strength. The Psalmist says to God "Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." —Psalm 25:5 As long as we place our hope in the one who gives hope and grave, love joy and peace as freely offered gifts we are indeed able to do all things. So maybe it is time for us as pastors and parishioners to shack off those dreams deferred and put them back on our radar. God has big plans for the church today, just as God did when letters were being passed around and shared among the new disciples of Christ.  Each church represented here has gifts and ministries unique to that body and God uses those to build up the Kingdom of God. No it’s not a Magic Kingdom that all started with a Mouse, but it is a Kingdom started and founded on the Love of God that is manifest in each of us and intended to be shared with the world around us. 

So friends, shake off the ideas that our dreams our out of reach, because Nothing is impossible with Christ on our side and as Walt says It’s kind of Fun to do what the Worlds deems impossible, and when we do, when we achieve our dreams and goals, May God receive all the honor and Glory. 

"I am God your Savior. I guide you and teach you, so put your hope in Me all day long. I guide you according to My truth, and I teach you important lessons as you follow the path I’ve prepared for you. Because I am both your Savior and your God, I’m able to help you with the obstacles you will encounter. Your difficulties can even be blessings when they draw you into deeper dependence on Me." —Jesus Today by Sarah Young