Dear friends, 

A spiritual mentor and friend reminded me of Jesus’ words in Luke 6:47-48 – “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them…is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.” In Matthew 7, Jesus calls this person wise and teaches us that a life built on wisdom is an unshakeable and indestructible life. 

We are experiencing a flood of anxiety-inducing information and a torrent of fear. I realize I need to do some deep digging to shore up some things in my own life. This involves looking at what my fear and anxiety reveals about the idols of my heart. By idol, I mean anything so essential to my life that its loss would make life not worth living. It is anyone or anything that has the controlling position of my heart other than God – this could be a person, a position, a possession, or just about anything will

do.

The problem with idols is not that they are bad; they are just not enough.  In fact, the better the person or thing the worse idol it becomes.  We are asking our idols to do something they cannot do – satisfy our deepest needs, calm our greatest fears, bring us the highest joy. Unfortunately and fortunately, life has a way of destroying our idols. It is unfortunate because it involves some pain; it is fortunate because it can set us free.   Our present struggle with the Coronavirus and its repercussions is shattering some idols. 

One writer suggests the three main idols to fall are security, prosperity, and wellness. (You can read it here.) It is a threat beyond our ability to control. It affects our sense of economic well-being. And it attacks our health. Security, prosperity, and wellness are quite good things but never meant to be the source of our ultimate hope. Our only hope in life and death is that we belong in body and soul, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ. 

The beauty of the Gospel is Jesus does what our idols cannot. Christ gives us eternal security – we have a good Father and we live in a safe and secure universe as eternal beings. Christ gives us real prosperity – provision and purpose, meaning and relationships. Christ gives us wellness - spiritual maturity and emotional health as He develops us into the people we will be forever. His promise of a new heaven and a new earth is a disease-free, death-free, anxiety-free, sorrow-free place of peace, life, love and joy.

Father, during this time of uncertainty, help us to dig deep, uncover our idols, and set us free to know and experience Your love and goodness.

A couple of things that may be helpful to know –

* Live-Stream – Sunday at 9:30 at https://wpcspartanburg.org/live. Past services are also available.

* Ways to help -

       - Our His Hands ministry team – if you need help or can help – call Beth Wolfe at 864-216-2761 or email beth.wolfe59@gmail.com. 

         - TOTAL Ministries – food, finances and people - 864-595-9167.

         - Mobile Meals – drivers (licensed & insured). Please call ahead - 864-573-7684. 

         - Soup Kitchen – hand sanitizer, wipes, carryout containers, foil, cups with lids, and prayer. Contact Dan Dupler if you can help: 864-431-3214

         - 7 inch long 1/8” or 1/4” wide elastic straps to sew medical masks. Box outside church office.

Pray for our covenant partners in health care and government; and for our health care and governmental leaders locally, state-wide, nationally and internationally. I hope to see you very soon.

Your friend

Steve Wise