On Friday,
September 24, I served as a substitute teacher at Wasilla High School. When I retired, before being asked to return
to St. John and help out, I applied to serve as a substitute in the Mat-Su
School District. I not only thought this
might be a way to keep busy in retirement, but I also felt that I might be able
to make a difference by helping out in our local schools. I know people have many negative ideas about
the school systems in our country today.
But, I can tell you that for the 5 or 6 times I have served as a
substitute teacher I have received detailed sub plans, the classes are well
organized, and the students know what they are working on. In fact, the students I have taught, from
kindergarten through high school, have been respectful, and for the most part,
focused on their work. From my
experience our schools are not the horror scene which many imagine. The students are actually growing and
learning. The one difficulty I have is
that the schools use a LOT of technology which I don’t totally understand. But, the more I substitute, the more familiar
I become with the computers.
However, on
September 24, during the 6 periods when I had students in the classroom, I
looked at them and realized how different their world is than when I attended
high school over 50 years ago. We had no
computers, no cell phones, no internet, or Facebook, or Twitter. Politics were much different. When I graduated, Richard Nixon was president! Spiritual thinking and moral issues were
viewed differently. Certain behaviors
were considered to be either right or wrong.
As I looked at these students in my classes on Friday, knowing that my
life as a child of God revolves around my relationship with my Savior, I began thinking what they might ask me. If many
of these students knew my values they might ask me, “Why would
I be concerned about whether there is a God? Why should I worry about what God says?”
All sorts of answers to these questions came to my mind. First, most people do have existential
questions. We want to know who we are and
where we come from. We want to know our
purpose in life. Christians have answers
to these questions. The Lord created our
world and He created us. He has answers
to our purpose in life.
My second response: we live in a crazy world that seems
to be more and more chaotic all the time.
But, the Lord who created heaven and earth in power, in wisdom, and in love,
is smarter and wiser than I am. I’m not
in charge of the world, but I am thankful that God is. That might be a reason for us to consider God,
and listen to His direction for our lives.
At least I thought so.
Also, in this crazy world we all face troubles and
problems, trials and sufferings, that in many ways are bigger than we are. But God, who created the world through His
Word, is all powerful. He is bigger than
our problems. In fact, Psalm 46 teaches,
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
The help God gives for our lives is a reason why I would think a person
should be interested in whether there IS a God, and what He says.
I continued to list reasons in my mind for why people,
the students that I saw, might be interested in the Lord during this unique time
in history. Another answer that came to
my mind is that God’s teaching, His Torah, His law, is really what is best for
me as a person whom He created. We are more
healthy physically, mentally and spiritually, when we follow God’s loving
direction for our lives. Isn’t that
reason to consider the Lord and teaching?
As I looked at my students, other reasons came to mind if
one of them might ask me these questions.
For example, I might answer that I should be concerned because God will
judge me. Or, I should be interested because
God offers salvation. I should be
concerned because . . . But, in a way, all religions make these claims to a
certain extent. And, I’m not sure the
students would even listen, if they asked me why they should be concerned and I
gave those answers.
Yet, as I considered my students, I also realized that the
Christian faith has a different answer to these questions than other faiths do. That answer is something I believe the
students might even listen to. “Why would I be concerned about whether there is a God? Why should I worry about what God says?” Because . . . He loves us!
In our impersonal world, God knows us by name. As our Creator He knows us better than we
know ourselves. Our Heavenly Father cares
enough about us to send His Son as our Savior.
Jesus, the Son of God, loved us enough to live His life for us, to
suffer injustice for us. He loved us so
much that He died a cruel death for us. God
love us so much that, for people who struggle, and who fail, and sin, He offers
forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus.
God’s love makes the difference!
Our Lord’s eternal care for us in our Savior is an answer to the questions which these students might ask, “Why would I be concerned about whether there is a God? Why should I worry about what God says?”
St. Peter wrote to a Christian congregation and, as He
was assuring these believers of God’s love, He gave these instructions. “But
in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always
be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for
the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15) Are you prepared?
As I looked at the students On September 24, and as I wondered
about their lives, I realized that we come from different time periods. But God is straightforward. In answer to the questions, “Why would I be concerned about whether there is a God? Why should I worry about what God says?” God’s answer is simple. “Because I loves you!”
A Child of God, Thankful
for God’s Answer to Life’s Questions: He Loves me in Jesus!
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. Here is some St. John News.
·
Prayer
Vigil Friday and Saturday, October 1 and 2 – Members have signed up for
hour long times of prayer at St. John from Friday at 6:00 p.m. to Saturday at
6:00 p.m. This prayer vigil is a time of
growth for all who participate. If you
have not signed up and wish to do so, please call Ruth Zellar at 907-232-3823,
or the St. John office at 745-3338.
·
Special guest
preacher - Sunday, October 3 – District President, Rev. Dr. Paul Linnemann
will preach in worship this Sunday as part of our “Choose to Be Different” campaign.
·
Special Bible
Study, Sunday Afternoon, at 4:00
p.m. – On September 12 Pastor Tony Schultz led an afternoon Bible
Study. It was attended by about 60
people and enjoyed by all who attended. THIS Sunday, October 3, President Paul
Linnemann will lead an “All Church Bible Study.” There will be snacks, and child care will also
be offered. We invite all to attend.
·
“Choose
to Be Different” Banquet – Sunday, October 24 at 5:00 p.m. – A celebration
Banquet will be held as part of our Choose to Be Different campaign. The meal will be held at the Palmer Senior
Center and catered by St. John member, Rebecca Kopperud. ALL are asked to attend and celebrate God’s
goodness in our midst.
- On Saturday, October 9th, the Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums
will hold their Fall concert at
St. John at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are greatly
appreciated, and will benefit ACPD’s Education Fund, and the St. John
Youth Group trip to NYG in July 2022.
Come out for an evening of entertainment and support our Youth
Group’s NGY Trip in July 2022.
P.P.S.
I have been having issues recently with
knowing who receives the e-mail for this devotion. I have heard from a number of folks they have
not received my e-mails with the devotions.
Spam protection does delete many e-mail messages from my personal inbox,
including some I want to receive.
Perhaps that is happening to you.
I am working on this.
P.P.P.S. Fall Pictures
·
On Wednesday, September 22, I took a hike in Hatcher Pass with my dog,
Mat. Here are some pictures - https://photos.app.goo.gl/PuDgdTpEVNY7rL6x6
·
During the week of September 19 I worked on the Final Harvest of my garden. Here are some garden pictures. - https://photos.app.goo.gl/c7k9f7e3dRXXShBK9
·
The Fall
Scenery in Alaska has been beautiful this year. Here are some pictures I have taken. https://photos.app.goo.gl/eSD5YmQ57F43wdcU8
*****
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at
the end of August 2019 from serving as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran
Church in Palmer, AK. I was writing a weekly devotion previously
entitled, "Thoughts from the Pastor." When I retired
many asked me to continue writing these devotions. So I have continued
writing. However, with life's changes I now call this weekly devotion "Journeys
Through Life as a Child of God." Since I am no longer senior
pastor at St. John, I felt it right to only send this message to those who
asked to receive it. (Though I am now serving again part-time at St. John
as assistant to the pastor.)
So, if you stopped receiving these devotions and wondered why, now you
understand. And, if you are now receiving these devotions and do not wish
to receive them, please let me know, and I’ll gladly remove your name from my
distribution list. My e-mail address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.
My prayer is that these devotions help each of you in your daily walk with our
Lord, Jesus.
*******
Jonathan Rockey
Child of God
Husband, Father,
Son, Grandfather
Pastor Emeritus,
St. John Lutheran Church
E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net
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