I’m reading through a thoroughly engaging and convicting book on prayer with our Pastors right now; A Praying Life by Paul Miller. In the chapter on Following Jesus Out of Cynicism he talks about Jesus on the cross quoting Psalm 22:1 and then notes: “In the darkness, Jesus doesn’t analyze what he doesn’t know. He clings to what He knows.” In other words, Jesus has never experienced darkness until this moment when the sin of the world is on Him and in this moment He clings to what He knows – His Heavenly Father.

We live in a world filled with darkness right now; it’s prevalent and on the rise. The darkness and cynicism we face is often overwhelming, but in the midst of it we need to cling to what we know. There is so much darkness and cynicism, that it’s often difficult to navigate the waters of being the church. There are times I’m not sure of the best way to lead, but I always go back to what I know.

This is what I know. The world and the people in our community need Jesus Christ more than anything else. They need to know Him personally & intimately and grow in that relationship with Him. The Word of God, prayer and fellowship/community within a local church are not options for growing believers – they are necessities. Therefore, as we try to navigate the waters of culture and church, we’ll continue to give the best of all we have for the Kingdom of God. We’ll do all we can to introduce people to Jesus Christ and walk with them through the life-change that must take place if grace is real in their lives. We’ll do what we can – with God’s help – to lead people out of the cynicism of the age into a relationship of hope and grace in Jesus Christ, and we’ll be a church where unchurched people can find and experience grace.