From the Pastor…
As summer winds down, we begin to gear up for a new year of ministry. Thank you to everyone who has been receptive to the call of God upon your lives to serve here at Roberdel. Simply put, we cannot accomplish much without the help of volunteers serving in the local church. In order for classes, choirs, mission groups, mission trips, and children and youth programs to take place, we must have more than “professional” staff. Please ask God to help you remain sensitive to His call upon your life as He continues to use us to make a difference here at RBC and throughout the world.
I am learning more every day of the importance of volunteers in ministry as I am humbled by a recent cancer diagnosis. At this moment I have not made a decision about the course of treatment I am going to take, but I have confidence in knowing that the ministries of Roberdel will continue and be in great hands because of the staff and volunteers we have serving! I am told that I will be sidelined sometime this month for a few weeks for either treatments or surgery and recovery. That is a very humbling thought… but it is necessary if I want to be able to continue to answer the call God has placed on my life.
Thank you so much for your willingness to follow the leadership of our staff and deacons during this challenging time. I would appreciate your prayers for wisdom in choosing the best options and prayers for healing and full recovery. At this point, I am encouraged by the doctors that everything has been contained in one place and will be successfully removed or treated. My confidence is high that in just a few short weeks I will be renewed in strength and healthy enough to do much more than I have been able to do in quite some time.
It is always tempting to ask God, “Why me?” But I am of the opinion that the proper perspective instead is, “Why NOT me?” As I look around – and I don’t have to look very far – I see many people who are facing diagnoses that are much less promising than mine. There is so much pain and confusion in our world today! I remember a popular song from my youth that simply said, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” Hal David’s lyrics go on to talk about the things we don’t need more of, but continues to insist that we need more love. I agree!
We don’t have to look far to see hate and strife. Anger and confusion, greed and envy are everywhere we look. I have come to the point in my life where I have almost completely stopped watching the news on TV because of all the negativity! Truly what we need more of is love! The truth about love though is that real love is only found in Jesus Christ. It is only when we turn to Him that we can fully love another. Christians cannot hate one another – or even those who believe differently than us. We must avoid tearing others down and learn to truly love. This can only happen when we give up our selfish desires and submit our lives fully to Him.
Life is not fair, but God is good… all the time! Let’s choose love and grace!
In Christian Love,
Pastor Billy