Is this the end?

Parson to Person

For some, a difficult week. For others, a difficult month. For others, a difficult year. For still others, a difficult life. All things come to an end.

This week is the end of the church calendar, the church year. We began the year with the words of prophets foretelling the coming of a Messiah. We end the year recognizing the work of God in all things.

The baby born in the manger at Bethlehem became the man known as Jesus of Nazareth. Through his death and resurrection at Jerusalem, we recognize that he is the one foretold.

We believe that Jesus has expressed the love of God in ways that are beyond our imagination. Even though we cannot explain or understand all, we believe.

As we come to this ending and prepare to cycle again, we recognize that there is not only a beginning in this ending, but a continuation in the process.

We have heard the scriptures and the stories before, but we have become more than we were through the hearing and living of this faith.

There is something yet beyond, something that waits a proper ending before moving forward.

What lies ahead is a meeting. It may be a personal meeting when each of us has come to the end of life here, or it may be a more dramatic ending that involves larger events.

We look back to remember where we have been.

In our difficulties, we have learned some of what and what not to do.

Difficulties experienced in faith produce in us endurance.

Endurance produces character. Character produces hope.

This hope is not just a wish, but faith and trust in the God who made us, who invites us, who sustains us, who forever calls us to look ahead in faith.

So as the end of the year nears, before the season of heightened activity and travel, we are able to be grateful for what has been, and for what will be in the great beyond.

Beyond this month. Beyond this year. Beyond this life.

Want to know more? Look up a church congregation and experience faith as part of the family of God.

Yes, we are people, so we all have a past, but come with us anyway as we look to what’s ahead!