Grace Lutheran Church

Life is not always easy or fair.

The Old Testament minor prophet Habakkuk wrote about how trouble and faith collide.

“Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen,

Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted,

Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty,

I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.

Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, take heart and gain strength.

I run like a deer. I feel like I’m king of the mountain!”

- Habakkuk 3:17-18

Sickness, disease, accidents, death, plus family and job pressures are a part of everyday life. It would be nice to be at the intersection of Easy Street and Lazy Way. But take a moment and reexamine the prophet Habakkuk and notice he did not seek the Lazy Way. His confidence was not founded up living on Easy Street. Habakkuk felt like the King of the Mountain because he trusted in his Savior God. He counted on God’s Rule to prevail. Habakkuk could look to the horizon and know that the Son of God was coming.

Looming over the horizon of the present is the confidence that the suffering and death of Jesus Christ was not in vain. Jesus Christ rose from the dead and by his victory we are more than conquerors.

This Lent we focus on Jesus Christ the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus Christ, pure and holy, sacrificed himself for us so that we may look to the horizon and live with confidence.

Come with repentant hearts to Ash Wednesday, February 6, and experience the fellowship of the Simple Suppers at 6pm and embrace the Holy Spirit in Evening Prayer at 7pm on Wednesday, February 13 – March 12.