Optimism Abounds

Greetings Church Family,

School has begun again, and we all know what that means. It’s football season. The Cowboys have played their first preseason game and soon the high schools and colleges will begin their seasons. I am ready. I am excited. The fuel for my excitement is that it looks like my school, SMU, is going to have a good team. Of course, the truth is that every team looks good in the weeks leading up to their first game. Optimism abounds. Then reality sets in and the hype begins to die. 

But until then, SMU is undefeated! This week I spoke with a fellow Mustang fan. Instead of football, I asked what he thought about the chaos in our world and national politics. He quickly responded, “I don’t care about those things, I want to talk about football.” Without even thinking, I pushed aside any thoughts about the continuing pain in our world, and we talked about the national pastime we call “football”. 

After the call, I realized what we had done. Our favorite pastimes are momentary distractions from the darkness in our world. Ignoring the unfolding chaos of our world does not make it go away. Some would say, “There is nothing we can do to stop the darkness.” But ignoring the darkness or pretending it does not exist is not an answer. One way or another the darkness will seep into our lives and steal our joy. 

I am not insinuating that we join the political rant that is polarizing our nation. I am suggesting that we face the darkness of this world with the light of Christ. I am suggesting that we confront the problems of this world with the hope of God’s presence through Jesus Christ. What can we do?

We can get on board to take Stonebridge UMC to the next level of ministry for Christ. Next week, I will be publishing the first of a series of articles about “Making Stonebridge UNSTOPPABLE”. Each of these will include a report on the ideas and recommendations you made at the Summer Listening Tour sessions. 

I am praying right now that everyone who reads this is getting ready to take the next step in their church involvement to make a difference. 

See you Sunday as we continue the sermon series on Jesus’ Parable of the Sower. This Sunday we are dealing with Jesus’ antidote for anxiety. 

Pastor John Allen 

By the way… as we face down the darkness with our work for the light of Christ, I am convinced that there will still be time to cheer for our favorite team. Go Mustangs!