Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Pastors’ Column – 01/18/10



As I begin to write this article, I sit in my office, looking out the window at a gloomy, gray sky. It is so gloomy that the automatic sensor light outside is on. Depressing. Dreary. Such a bleak outlook for the day.

That could very easily be a description of life, couldn’t it? We’ve all had a day or two – or more – when we couldn’t wait to just be able to run home, throw on the pajamas, and crawl into bed and sleep the gloom away. It happens – we can’t help it. Why? Because we are sinful!

“Now wait a minute, pastor, you’re telling me I’m sinful? I didn’t cause my day to be ruined – it was my coworker, it was the guy who cut me off on the way to work, it was the crabby kid in the drive-through, it was the . . .” The list can go on, right?

But, if that’s how we are going to go through our days, then it can be guaranteed that every day will be horrible. Why? Because we’ve allowed it to be! Our sinful condition jumps to our ego, which tells us, “How dare someone do that to me!”

Proverbs 14:29 tells us that “a patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.” Patience leads us to be able to have a better understanding.

Could it be that the co-worker has some issues going on in his or her life and is under some tremendous stress? Could it be that the guy who cut you off didn’t see you and made an honest mistake? Could it be that the kid behind the drive-through window just lost his father to a fight with cancer? Could it be that many of the folks who come across your path each day have a story that is driving them to despair?

You are encouraged, today, to look at every circumstance in your life as an opportunity and a blessing. Yes, even the junk that you go through. We know that every situation in life, God is using for good. “For those who love God, all things work together for good.” (Romans 8:28)

Opportunities for sharing the love of Christ are presented in every situation. Blessings through people that come into your life flow to you in every situation.

Will there still be bad days? Yes. Will you and I still mess up? Sure we will. But there is a truth that brings light into any darkness; Jesus Christ. “By that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)

Be assured that Christ has lived a perfect life on this earth. He knows what you are going through, and He has blessed you with the gracious gift of eternal life through the forgiveness of sin.

The light that shines through the gloomy days is more than an automatic outdoor light, it is the Light of the World!

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