So in preparation for the on-coming, impending weather, we go out and buy yet another shovel. We stock u the fridge and cabinets with groceries because what we have in the house already obviously is not enough. We tune our snowblowers and store up salt and sand, and we lay out our hats, boots, and gloves, just in case. But if you’re like me, you pray for a snow day, so you don’t have to get out at all. Either way, having been warned, we prepare and we wait, in anticipation of the storm.
Pastor Washington, a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ, much like Mr. G, has the job of preparing us for the storms. On any given Sunday, Pastor stands before us and proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ. On any given Wednesday evening, he stands to teach God’s Word. He opens the Bible in the midst of us, and together we stand to read aloud the Word of God. Their message, although different in delivery, is clear, precise, and always demands a response from us. Pastor lays out before us God’s Plan of Salvation. He makes us aware that we are sinners by nature and in deed. He tells us the pitiful state of our soul without Jesus. He preaches the redemption story- How Jesus came, suffered, and dies for our sins. He tells us of Jesus’ resurrection, ascension, and His soon coming again. He tells us of the hope that transcends our tests, tribulation, and trials. He tells us how to break free of the bonds that bind us. I wonder what would happen if we responded to the message of the gospel the way we respond to the weather forecast. What would happen if every time the Word of God is preached, a soul is saved? What would happen if every time the Word of God is preached, we would bring our lost friends, children, and family into the House of God? What would happen if we came into this place recognizing that this is Holy Ground? I wonder what would happen if we would truly come clean before God; take off the masks. I wonder what would happen if we forgave each other, for real.