Church Update
January 21, 2025
Dear Church of the Open Bible,
I was able to experience some blacksmithing a few years ago. I have a nice filet knife to prove it. But one of the things that I’ve always been amazed by with blacksmiths is the timing and awareness of having multiple projects “on the go” at the same time. To have a number of pieces of metal heating up or cooling, so that you’re not waiting around. But not too many, so that you’re overwhelmed. In fact, that latter option is where we get the phrase, “too many irons in the fire.” We can do this intentionally to ensure that there are several possibilities available, just in case something doesn’t work out.
We find this temptation when it comes to goodness as well. It’s the temptation to pursue goodness and well-being in our life, through a variety of options. The Bible speaks of this multi-pronged pursuit as increasing sorrow and ending in emptiness. But there is another way.
I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.” - Psalm 16:2
Is your goodness dependent on God alone? Is the Lord your only source of well-being, or is He one of many “irons in the fire” of your life? Are you keeping your options open? That is not the path of life. May we surrender any pursuit of goodness apart from the Lord and depend on Him to provide. He is faithful and the source of every good and perfect gift.
In Christ,
Pastor Jeremy