Praise the Lord, football is back! Week one of college football kicks off this weekend, and all sports fans are cautiously optimistic. After all, our teams are currently undefeated, all opponents look beatable, and we are quietly making our plans for conference championship games. That optimism will of course fade by Monday. Some teams will indeed be discouraged and defeated this Saturday. Others will celebrate a victory only to have their hearts broken in the upcoming weeks.
I have found life can be much like a college football season. One moment we are optimistic and celebratory, only to soon be discouraged by life’s disappointments. Jesus warned us we will feel this way, but he also encouraged us with hope we need to persevere: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Every Sunday we are looking at anchor verses Jesus has given us to weather life’s storms. So far, we have been reminded that he is with us, no one can snatch us from his hand, and this Sunday we see he can give us true rest in the storms. I encourage you to invite someone to join you this Sunday. Perhaps you have a friend who is stuck in a storm. You could be the lifeboat God sends to help them find their anchor. I look forward to continuing the series with you at 8:45am or 11:15am this weekend.
Onward and Upward,
Dr. Jonathan Spencer
www.jonathanspencer.org 