Vision After Christ

As we head into the New Year I’m very hopeful both for this time of year and for the years to come. Next weekend I will walk my daughter Elsa down the aisle to be married to Ean. After a lifetime of prayer God has brought these two together and it is obvious that God has caused these to hearts to converge. As a father I have to say there is great hope and anticipation for this is a new experience as this is our first getting married. Weddings always remind me of the Love that Christ has for His Bride the Church and how He willing left the privileges of heaven to be born, live, die and rise for the sake of His bride. Luke reminds us in Acts that Jesus bought her with His own blood. (Acts 20:28). In our self-determined culture there is no man, woman or child who owns the Church. Regardless of time, sweat, money invested or longevity there are no squatter’s rights when it comes to ownership. Jesus is the sole and absolute owner, head and authority over His Church. As Emmanuel walks into a new year and season of ministry we acknowledge and declare that, “Jesus, Emmanuel is yours.” Please give us insight and wisdom to discern where each of us fit in Your story. (Eph 1:22-23; 1 Peter 4:8-11)