Editorials

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Editorial by Terry Forde

Nearly 100 years ago, in 1921, Chinese essayist Lu Xun wrote, “Hope is like a path in the countryside. Originally, there is nothing –but as people walk this way again and again, a path appears.”

If you come across a path in a woods, or across a field, you may ask: “Where does this path lead?” or “Why is there a path here?”

Paths don’t just come out of nowhere. Sometimes they exist because people started walking there for a shortcut. Sometimes they exist because someone planned them out on a map and set about creating them. In either case, someone had to pave the way.

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Editorial by Rick Remmers

We have finally arrived at the closing days of 2020. For so many unanticipated reasons, it has proven to be a watershed year. We know nearly everything in our lives has run into some measure of turbulence, and we don’t know when things will settle down or how different they will be in the years to come.

Editorial by Rob Vandeman

For centuries, throngs of people sung Psalm 133 on the road as they made the ascent to Jerusalem for festival worship. Our imaginations readily reconstruct those scenes. How great to have everyone sharing a common purpose, trav-eling a common path, moving toward a common goal—that path, purpose and goal being God. How much better than making the long trip alone.

As we come to declare our love for God, we must face the reality that, while we are a family of faith, we are not necessarily one big happy family. We do not immediately stop being sinners the moment we first believe in Christ. Most all of us need some degree of remedial help in gracious family living. But if God is our Father, then this is our family.

Endless Possibilities

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Editorial by Terry Forde

The New Testament account of how Jesus used a small boy’s lunch to miraculously feed a multitude of more than 5,000 is a remarkable story and one that speaks of God’s abundant care for every person, in even our mundane daily needs.

But look what happens next: “When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost’” (John 6:12, KJV). Having graciously provided for their hunger, Jesus now invites His followers and all of the crowd to be part of the next part of the story.

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Editorial by Rick Remmers

These are five life-saving words. When each day seems to bring a heavy weight of chaos, conflict and uncertainty, these simple words of Jesus have a great impact: “I will give you rest.” He prefaces these words with an open invitation: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden” (Matt. 11:28, NKJV).

These words are given by the One who spoke and created the world. The One whose voice called out, “Peace, be still,” and the storm stopped and the waves were calmed. This same Jesus is the guarantor of our rest. He is willing and able to provide rest as a free gift, without reservation.