As I think about kids going back to school, or perhaps going for the first time, I can’t help but think about how our lives are full of transitions. Big ones, little ones, good ones and bad ones. The problem with transition is that it’s just a fancy word for “change.” Most of us don’t like change and we do whatever we can to avoid it. Change is inevitable, whether we like it or not. I have seen many transitions happen at Paris Presbyterian Church (PPC) in the last 15 years; this year is no exception. I am excited to see the spiritual growth that is happening in our congregation. There are so many people in scripture every day, new small groups and Bible studies have started, there are young families and new babies.

 

When we think about change and transition, we tend to think of them as negative experiences. It really is all in how you view it. The transitions that have been happening in the life of our church are wonderful things and should be celebrated. The new things that are happening do not invalidate any of the prior things we’ve done. Instead, we need to realize that we are able to do the new things because of the foundation that has already been laid by the people and programs of the past. The old way of doing things needs to be celebrated because without them we could not and would not be where we are today. Even the programs that we have today won’t last forever, but they are helping to lay a foundation for the future of the church. Think about it, if we never changed anything, we would all be sitting around a pot belly stove on Sunday mornings!

 

Think about this: we are all here because of someone who isn’t. Go ahead, read that last sentence again. I am here because of my parents who are no longer here, and my grandparents, who have been gone for decades. I’m here because of them. If they hadn’t been born and worked hard and taught me life’s lessons, then I wouldn’t be here. Just because they aren’t here anymore, doesn’t make their lives any less valuable or important. I am…because of them. You are...because of those who have gone before you. More importantly, we are all here because God created us in His image and God has a plan for each one of us. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." How are you fulfilling God's plan for your life? How are you making a difference for future generations? Just some things to think about.

 

Rev. Tina