Dear Rose Park,
Last Tuesday night, Sam and I bundled up the kids and went to the Holland light parade. Not only did we attend the parade, but we marched in the parade with our friends from Holland Running Club. I was amazed at how many entries there were in the parade: local businesses, a few churches and non-profit organizations, and dozens of firetrucks, police cars, and ambulances all beautifully decorated for the Christmas season. As we made our way down the parade route and noticed all the children lining the street, something dawned on me yet again…
These children are the future of the church. They are the ones to follow Jesus after us. They are the ones to lead the generation after them. They are the ones to broaden the mission of God to fields we haven’t even considered. They are the ones to build the Kingdom to heights we can’t reach. They are the ones to preach the Gospel to groups who haven’t heard. They are the future of the church.
This should convict us. This should remind us that the next generation is watching us. They’re watching to see how we love one another with our words and actions. They’re watching to see if we treat the church like a hospital filled with sick and hurting people or a country club reserved for the affluent. They’re watching to see if we forgive even when it’s difficult. They’re watching to see if we build more tables than fences with our neighbors. They’re watching to see if we’re faithful in worship even when our schedule is busy. They’re watching to see if we bring the Good News to those who haven’t heard. They’re watching to see if we make disciples of all nations.
In this Advent season, our eyes and hearts become fixated on a baby born in a manger. As we give witness to the Incarnation of God and pass the story of Jesus from one generation to the next, let us be sure our example is worthy of replicating because just as all these children are watching the light parades, they’re watching us too.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark
Photo by Ryan Wallace on Unsplash