Hello Friends,

Lately I have let myself be focused on things longer than I should and it all seems pointless.  I will be playing a game on my phone and suddenly I feel like it’s just plain meaningless and I stop.  Other times I will be working on reports for my job working at night to get things done and I wonder why it matters so much that I’m working overtime to do it.  Yet still other times I’ll be watching a movie and halfway through realize I’m bored and again I think it doesn’t matter.  At times it feels like the depression talking at other times it does not.  After all the author of Ecclesiastes very often says it is meaningless. Everything is meaningless under the sun.  There’s a lot of truth in this.  100 years from now will it matter what you did after work today? Most things won’t matter 5 years from now. Do you remember what you ate for dinner 5 years ago today?  What about the show you watched on TV?  Or what about what you wore on your first day of school any given year?  Chances are you don’t remember any of those things.  There are so many things that do not matter.

So, what does matter?  Worshipping God and being the hands and feet of Jesus to a lost and broken world.  How does one do this? For me, I help at the laundry ministry at my church.  I participate in community outreach events like the Fall Festival or the women’s Spring Tea.  Other people may serve at the soup kitchen or participate in a prison ministry.

The Bible says, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬) In the book of James, Chapter 2 verse 18, it reads "But someone will say, 'you have faith; I have deeds.'  Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds."  and Matthew 25:40 says, "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to me."  It is important to let your light shine. To reflect Jesus so that others will be drawn to Him.  Love Jesus inwardly and people will see Him outwardly. By living out our faith and being the light of Jesus, we reflect HIM.  This is what matters.   

But while faith in action is important, remember not to neglect WORSHIP. Psalms 148:13 says: "Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven."  God is Holy and deserves all the praise.

I am so grateful God has given me a gift of writing, something I only recently have begun to understand.   I fill so unequipped to continue this blog, although at the same time, it excites me.  Feel free to reach out.  I know I won’t have all the answers, but I will do my best to offer encouragement along this journey we call life.

I am a follower of Christ, I am not perfect, but I love Jesus.

Until Next Time,

Liz Allen