I remember vividly one morning when I was in college and I was walking up the sidewalk on my way to class. It was a clear, brisk Kansas morning, and I had my swimming parka on. My mind was flooded with things college students typically think about- all the things that I needed to do, balancing schoolwork and relationships, and life in general.
When all of a sudden, without warning, I heard the sound of screeching tires behind me. In a moment, a massive object went flying by me to my right, accompanied by a rush of wind and a loud crash. Simultaneously, I dove to the ground in terror. My heart and adrenaline were pumping and my life flashed before my eyes.
Have you ever had an experience like this before? When physically you were close to death? It is hard to deal with. The fear and adrenaline of the moment overpower our brains and we just go on instinct. My instinct at that moment was to pick myself up and run for my life to class. I wish I would’ve stopped to check on the driver… The next day there were still fragments of the wreckage and I picked up a small piece of metal from the crash as a reminder that my life could be gone in an instant.
We may not have these incidents often, I’ve had just a handful, but it seems that very often we have things that come into our lives that threaten us to a lesser degree. Waiting on the bloodwork results to get back. Waiting for tests that may determine whether or not we get the degree or the job. People that we love may be lost- whether physically or relationally. Uncertainty if we will lose our jobs. Looking at finances and wondering if we’re going to be able to keep our standard of living.
Increasingly we are going to be faced with a dilemma – if we hold to certain Christian convictions, we may lose relationships or suffer in some other way. What do we do?
In these times, we can look to a historical and supernaturally inspired precedent in the life of Daniel. We can look at how his life was threatened by King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel Chapter 2 and find courage to respond in a similar manner when our lives turn upside down, or threaten to end all together. All of us will be at this point sometime in the near future, so let’s listen in and prepare well today.
I invite you to join us this weekend as we continue our study of the Book of Daniel, looking at the second chapter. This chapter is often overlooked, but is incredibly powerful and seamlessly combines the themes of persecution and prophecy. Our socially distanced service is Saturday afternoon at 3:30, and our Sunday morning service is at 10:15, where you can join us online if you can’t make it in person. We also have excellent Sunday School classes at 9 for all ages.
This Sunday after church we will have a special, but brief time of celebration as the gender of the next Rice baby will be revealed. We would love for you, our church family, to join us in that as well.
Have a great weekend and I look forward to pursuing Christ, Community, and the Great Commission Together with you soon!
Have a great weekend and I look forward to pursuing Christ, Community, and the Great Commission Together with you soon!
-Pastor Nathan Rice