|
“What Now? Keep God First!”
What now? Easter has come and gone, leaving us with empty eggshells and high blood sugar. Hopefully, we grew in Faith this past Lenten Season. I also hope that much more spiritual growth is ahead. But, really…What now?
That’s a relevant question as the 2024-25 season comes to a close. Traffic has all but disappeared. Restaurants and shops will cut back their operating hours, and life will slow back down to normal island time, which is much different since our population is only a fraction of what it was a month ago.
I’m thankful that I was able to see so many snowbirds this year. Following the Hurricanes six months ago, many of us wondered whether we would see any snowbirds this year. Of course, we were able to enjoy their company when we took breaks from our construction projects. Now, it’s back to the hammer and anvil of trying to get things back in order in time for the arrival of another storm season.
Geez. I hate to say that out loud, but that’s the reality faced by all permanent residents.
The processes of demolition, rebuilding, and reconstruction will continue well into the future. Also continuing is the much greater need to protect all life during future storms, something that none of us can afford to lose focus on. Longboat Key and surrounding communities are already addressing these issues in every regard, including new emergency, evacuation, and reentry procedures.
These are the pressing problems that still exist for those of us who are remaining behind, not to mention the dread we will face if another storm tries to take aim in our direction. That’s not anything I want to think about, but it’s something I must consider as I think about the ongoing needs within our community. The rest of 2025 is yet to be defined, but I know one thing for sure: I don’t want my 2025 Chapel Annual Report to have a hurricane on the front of it.
I’m sure you don’t want that, either, but lots of people have already faced terrible storms, flooding, earthquakes, and fires this year.
So, what now? Keep God first! It won’t solve all the problems in the world, but a focus on the LORD sure does make a difference in how we respond, repurpose, and rebuild.
In a broken world, we won’t experience problem-free living; that is what awaits us in our eternal home with the LORD. Yet no matter what, God is with Us. God takes the brokenness to bring new life, and God binds us together along the way.
Keep God first. Trust God to provide just as God has provided for all of us in the last year.
The Hope given by the LORD through Easter is the promise of Eternal Life, and nothing in this world can take that away. No matter what we face, the best is always ahead because of Easter Hope.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV)
See you at the Chapel!
Rev. Brock
| 
