God Will Restore You
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By Rev. Richard Maraj
Lead Minister |
Have you ever lost your confidence and felt it would never come back? Have you ever felt so sad that you thought you would never feel happiness again? Have you ever lost a job and thought you might not find one again?
In the book of Joel 2:25, God shares a great promise that is true for every one of us: “And I will restore to you the years that the locust have eaten ... And you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and shall praise the name of Jehovah your God that has dealt wondrously with you ...”
We have all experienced some kind of loss in our lives ... times when we feel lost, alone and disconnected from God and distant from the good we desire. “The years the locusts have eaten” symbolize the losses, setbacks and downturns that can happen in our lives. Whether it is the loss of a job, a drop in financial success, the ending of a relationship or the passing of a loved one, loss can trigger feelings of hopelessness about ever regaining our peace and happiness.
During these difficult periods, we can sometimes allow the appearances to paint an even worse picture of our future. But Joel teaches us that, no matter what we feel we have lost, God can and will restore us to greater levels of happiness and prosperity through three important reminders:
1. Nothing is Lost in Spirit. Regardless of appearances, Joel knew that nothing is ever lost in spirit. What we call “loss” is simply the life process called “change.” Life cannot stay the same. Change is meant to happen. Without change we cannot learn and grow. While change can hurt at times, it is a necessary and important part of life. God is love. Love can never be lost. God is peace. Peace can never be lost. God is joy. Joy can never be lost. God is good. Good can never be lost.
When something changes and we feel a sense of loss, it is important to remember that our good and the potential for greater good is never lost! There is always more good, because the abundance of God is always present. It might change form, but God’s abundance can never be lost.
What seems like “loss” is an opportunity for a new form and a new experience of God’s goodness in our lives.
Affirm: “I always live in God’s abundant good. Nothing is lost in spirit.”
2. Turn to God. In Joel 2:13 God says, “Rend your heart and not your garments and turn to Jehovah your God for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness ...”
The best thing we can do in any difficult situation is to turn to God. When we turn to the outer circumstances, we can feel fear. When we turn to God, there is peace. Scripture reminds us over and over to turn to God in all things and God will make straight our paths. Worry does not help any situation; neither does fear, frustration or “trying harder.” The only thing that helps is to turn to the source. God is the answer in all things.
Joel knew that an outer loss can only be restored through an inner change: a change of heart, a change that can only come when we turn to God.
Affirm: “I turn to God in all things. God is my source and strength.”
3. Be Restored. As the children of Israel were restored to “eat in plenty and be satisfied,” each of us will be restored with plenty in all areas of our lives. Whether the loss has been financial, in our career, relationships or in our home, God can and will restore us.
The Bible has a number of powerful stories of losses that were restored to greater levels of happiness and success. Job was restored with twice the abundance he lost. Joseph was thrown into a pit but God raised him up to be a successful leader, who prospered and had an amazing healing with his brothers.
When we do our work, we will always be strong and rewarded in even greater ways than before ... with more wisdom, more faith, more joy, more appreciation. The tough times grow us and bring us greater gifts than we can imagine if we are willing to hang in and do our spiritual work.
Affirm: “I am restored. I am happy, healthy and prosperous.”
The past cannot be changed but, through your faith in God, you can be renewed and restored to even greater blessings than before. Whenever you feel that your joy, peace or success is lost, remember that
nothing is lost in spirit! Turn to God, and allow God’s spirit to restore you!
Update on Our Ministerial Search
By Rev. Richard Maraj, Lead Minister
Since the departure of Rev. Alice and Rev. Shannon a few months ago, we have been working diligently to secure two positions to replace them: an Associate Minister and a Pastoral Care Minister. We have continued to move through this process with an intention that we will attract the right and perfect ministers, who will be a perfect “fit” for our
ministry in consciousness, skills, chemistry and in the values they embrace.
As this newsletter goes to press, we have successfully narrowed the search for our Pastoral Care Minister to a few finalists, who will now go through a comprehensive interview process. We have also pinpointed some promising candidates for the Associate Minister spot.
We had originally hoped to announce our final selections for these two positions over the next few months. Our current budgetary situation, however, has made the decision process a bit more complicated and, in the interest of good stewardship, the hiring of at least one minister will most likely be delayed as a result.
As we have reported over the past several weeks, we have experienced a significant decline in revenues this budget year. Although our attendance has remained constant, a dramatic decline in “per person giving” has left us with a current budgetary shortfall of over $150,000.
This leaves us with the ability to fund only one of the open ministerial positions at this point in time. Our Board and Leadership Team have been praying and thinking deeply about this issue to determine the most appropriate next steps. We ask all of you to join us in this endeavor, and to hold our ministry and this hiring process in prayer, asking Spirit to guide us with wisdom and trust.
One possibility that we are considering at this time is to hire one minister within our original timeframe of June. As our budgetary condition improves, we can then move forward on hiring a second minister by late summer or early fall.
We are also open to exploring creative solutions, including the possibility of having individuals underwrite some of the costs of adding an additional minister until our budgetary situation improves.
Regardless of what steps we ultimately choose to take, be assured that we will keep all of you apprised of our decisions and progress along the way.
God is good, and we are confident that we will be blessed with the perfect situation for our ministry. We thank each of you for your prayerful support as we continue to move forward in this process.