Jesus reigns! Serve with focus, joy, and hope.

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.”
– Matthew 24:45-46

The month of November is fast approaching! In the culture around us, that means that we (thankfully) are coming to the end of the election cycle in the United States of America. The prospect of electing new representatives to the various branches of our local, state, and federal government fills many of us with vacillating feelings of fear and hope.

And yet, in the church, we are reminded that there is a bigger story in the works. We begin the month by praising God for the legacy of faith left behind by those who have gone before us and are now in heaven with King Jesus. On November 20th, we come to the last Sunday of the Church Year with its emphasis on the return and reign of King Jesus. And then we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and friends and are reminded that every good gift we receive in this life flows from the faithful care of King Jesus.

While the question, “Who will become president?” is of some importance, the far more important question, “Who is King over all?” has been answered the same way by the Spirit-enlivened Church from its very beginning. Jesus Christ reigns at the right hand of the Father, and we as the Church find our life and our calling in that reality.

While many will be tempted to pin their hopes and dreams on earthly leaders, and as a result be filled with hope or despair at the result of elections, we have the privilege and joy to pin all of our hopes and dreams and cares on the King of heaven and earth. And because we have a rock-solid hope in Jesus, we can go about our God-given callings with intentionality and joy, not distracted or deterred by the events and changes happening around us. As citizens of heaven and servants of King Jesus, we continue to trust in Him, love our neighbors, give of ourselves for the sake of others, and bear witness to His saving love. That’s what King Jesus has given us to do, and it will be good for His servants to be found doing their joyful duty when the Master returns.

May His peace and joy be yours!

Pastor Baye

This devotion is found in the November 2016 Anchor Line, Hope’s monthly newsletter. Click through for more info on news and events at Hope.