Here’s Hope: “If I were you, I would have given up on me by now. But somehow you don’t see me like I do, somehow you’re still here. You’re the God who stays, you’re the one who runs in my direction when the whole world walks away. You’re the God who stands with wide open arms and you tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart from the God who stays.” ( Song: “The God Who Stays” by Matthew West)
Bible Reading: Psalm 139: 1-10 “O Lord you have searched me and you know me.” Please read the entire passage from Psalm 139
Consider This: For our students in Middle & High School, it is not unusual to hear them struggle with the life question, “Who Am I .“ Even for us as “adults” we probably come back to that question as we also wrestle with our identity as well. The month of June always reminds us that we are in the season of graduation. The year 2020 has been, well, just messed up in so many respects because of this coronavirus pandemic. Yes, we are adjusting and we are adapting and complying as we are told. In spite of this ugly virus, we are still continuing to celebrate the achievements of our students who are graduating. This weekend during our Sunday worship services, we will once again celebrate and recognize our high school and college seniors from our North Run family. We have 3 high school seniors, Madelynn, Sydney and Jesse ( I am intentionally not identifying their last names) And we have 2 college graduates, Blair and Clarissa. Congratulations to all these young ladies! As mentioned, we will celebrate with these seniors by showing photos of the progression of their lives from childhood up until this, their senior year as our kids! In reality, I know these young ladies are their parent’s children. However, as a church family, we should be so thankful that we have had the opportunity to invest in their lives, even in small but significant ways. I hope we have taught them that they are made in “the image of God” and they are very special in God’s eyes. Not because they have completed a measured time of study, but more importantly, they have the capacity to love others and be in relationship with their family, friends and their Creator. They are creative beings who have great potential to achieve what their minds can imagine. One more element to consider about their identity, is that they have an eternal spirit designed by their Creator, that will live on forever. May we as a Church family always grasp how vital it is that we invest in the lives of all our students and their parents as we seek to give them the message of the gospel, you are loved by a “God Who Stays.” Congratulations to our graduates of 2020. We are so proud of you and grateful that you have parents and grandparents who have loved and nurtured you through these 12+ years of your brief journey. May you always realize you are made in the image of your God and you are very valuable to so many people who love and celebrate with you. Godspeed!
Prayer: O God, we praise you and thank you for entrusting the care of these students into our care as parents, grandparents and their church family. Help us to always remember we are made in your image and we are loved with an everlasting love that You give to us through your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
In Christ,
Kerry Smith, Associate Pastor