Only God Knows What's Next by Linden Malki

Historically, we have been very fortunate in the past decade or so, to the point that it is hard for many of us to accept the dangers we see all around us. Danger has been a part of human society as long as we have existed, but we have not had so many of them staring us in the face recently. They are not as serious as many of the plagues and wars and invasions and famines that our ancestors have lived with over most of our history, but we have gotten spoiled. We are dealing with a virus that we still don't know as much as we need to know, and a quarantine that has cost jobs, connections with people, and in many cases, mental health. Add to that the police situation in Minneapolis that has triggered demonstrations and major damage to cities that have cost many people their homes and/or businesses.

Jesus had troubles enough with those who did not understand or believe in His teachings, but He did give answers. It almost sounds too easy--if we turn over the stumbling blocks we keep tripping over to Him, they can be removed or transformed. The one that is especially serious at this historical moment is the barriers between people that Paul mentions to the Ephesians, but it is one that can be answered with humility, peace, patience, and love (and all the other graces we are promised--we need them all!)

One of the most difficult situations many people are facing is ultimate reality--whatever comes across our path sooner or later, we will always face generational change--none of us are going to stay here forever. We may fade out peacefully, or unexpectedly; we may have warnings or not, we may be young or old or anything in between. There has been a recent opportunity for our church family and other friends and relatives to share a memorial service for a young man who grew up in the Calvary/Northpoint/Sandals family,who was in an accident recently. It was a privilege for many of us to share Aaron Ensman's life and support his family as they deal with his loss; and to meet or reconnect with other people who also cared for Aaron and his family.