The days are long, but the week goes by so quick. yesterday was Thursday and it's already Monday. For sure, we won't be worshipping on campus until late May. We may come back first week of June. I don't know. 

But at the end of it all, what will we have to show for it? (besides the extra fat around our bellies) Hopefully, we can say that we got closer to our families, and we'll already miss them when we're back at work. Hopefully, we can say that we got our rest and we won't need another vacation for quite some time. Hopefully, some of us gained a new skill, discovered a talent in cooking, or singing, or writing witty comments on social media.

What about spiritually? Yes, I'm very encouraged that many of you are joining us in worship online, unafraid of this technology we've had at our church for years. We read the Bible a little bit more, I hope. But did you master a particular portion of it? maybe memorize a psalm? It's hard to exercise your faith when you're just sitting at home (much less exercise your body). 

May I suggest a way to be active in faith? and when you get out of quarantine and look back, you'll see more than a little spiritual muscle. Prayer. Can you spend an hour each day in prayer (uninterrupted if possible)? If you really want to grow, make a prayer journal so you can keep track of which prayers get answered.

To help you with this spiritual growth process, I will be preaching on prayer for at least the next 4 weeks. But the best way to learn prayer is to do prayer.

​It's not easy navigating a ship through choppy waters, and I'm not talking about seamanship. Last week was especially difficult. But if it was easy, any idiot could do it. What we do requires leadership and discernment. What you do matters.

With all your help and prayers, the 1st livestream had 169 views and 2nd livestream had 77 (you can check it yourself). So if some people are watching together, it's over 246 people, which is more than we've had on a given Sunday.

The world around us has gone into selfish mode. Panic has left the store shelves empty and people hitting each other over toilet paper. It's ironic (and tragic) that the elderly, who are the most vulnerable in this situation, have been left even more vulnerable, forced into crowded lines, left standing longer than they should. assuming there's anything left for them on the shelves.

I don't blame those who panic. Actually, they should've been panicking all year if they don't know Jesus. But we who have eternal life have no need to fear or panic. Of course, you already know this so I won't belabor the point.

But how do we as Christians shine in the darkness?

A light isn't a light unless it's lighting up the dark. Really. Have you turned on a flashlight during the day? you could barely see it. and it doesn't matter. Two months ago, Costco had a sale on toilet paper. No one appreciated it. Today, someone could propose with a bouquet of it! Night has come, and it's time for us to shine.

It's too easy to stay at home, surrounded by rolls of toilet paper and fresh groceries. (Oh, the luxury!) But can we go outside and look for those who are lost in the dark? That's not so easy. Especially in America, we've become accustomed to making things easy for ourselves, from drive-thru's to cruise control. But we also know deep inside that it's doing the hard things that makes life better, makes you more money, holds on to a marriage, strengthens your faith.

The world needs us right now, even though they'll turn their back on us once the pandemic is over. We need to do the hard things and offer to shop for the elderly, talk to the lonely, babysit their annoying kids, watch their dog while they stand in line at Costco, give toilet paper, find classic NBA games on Youtube for your depressed Clippers fan friend, help someone find work after being laid off, teach the elderly how to use an iPhone (and watch our Livestream), empathize with a Chinese person who has probably endured racism this month, and I know this is super risky, but give a hug to someone who needs it?

Do hard things for others. That's how you shine in the dark.