A Word from Your Mission Strategist, Steve Laughman
Have you ever wondered why God saw fit to create us with emotions? In his wisdom, He allows us to experience joy, grief, anger, and relief, often times in quick succession. This roller coaster of emotions can overwhelm us if we are not careful to put things in their proper perspective. We have a hope in Christ that those without Him never know. That makes all the difference.
The last week has been one of those up and down weeks. The CBA Annual Fall Meeting was such an incredible experience! Yatesville Baptist Church hosted us with such care and attention to detail. The music was exceptional, the reports were uplifting, and the preaching was timely. God has blessed us with a spirit of cooperation and I am grateful. Thanks to you, the BCM loaded 661 backpacks on the truck bound for Randolph and Quitman Counties. Marni and I were able to deliver these to some very thankful partners in this work. Yet as we drove there, we could not help but notice the damage caused by the hurricane. Once again, joy mixed with grief.
We celebrated my birthday this weekend by taking a few days to rest. I thank God for my wife and the great work she does by my side for the CBA. Even as we took a break, we kept up with the news of bombs being mailed and worshippers being attacked in a synagogue in Pittsburg. While some have already drawn battle lines using these depraved acts as weapons in ongoing political warfare, we must remember that we have only one enemy. His name is Satan, and he will use every means at his disposal to divert our attacks on him toward one another. May the Lord remind us that He has won.
This week also brought with it the opportunity to remember one of our own. Dr. Ken Ross displayed the kind of temperament we need today. His kind words and gentle manner remind us that we serve a God of peace. Ken never failed to encourage me to press on in the work God has called me to do. I grieve for his family and his church and for my own loss, but I do not grieve as one without hope. I pray you do the same.
I eagerly look forward to what we have going on in the months ahead. The Georgia Baptist Convention will meet in Warner Robins November 11-13. Communities will join for Thanksgiving worship services. Ministers and their wives will gather for our annual Christmas fellowship. And the Church will celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with special times of worship. However, we may also face loss, tragedy, and unknown dangers. Some of you are going through your own personal struggles even now. How we respond will depend on whether or not we see how God is working through it all to bring glory to Himself. What looks like chaos from one view may just be a perfect design from another perspective. Let us have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to respond to God correctly.
