| |
|
|
My Brothers and Sisters,
Happy New Year! As we begin a new year, we look back on the fact that 2009 was one of the most difficult years from an economic and social standpoint. Many persons lost their jobs and livelihood, while others lost homes, property and lives. As we look forward, we recognize that more of the same is likely, given the continued national and global recession, and given the tax package, wage freeze and IMF stipulations recently announced by the government. When one adds the continuing increase in crime and violence, road accidents and fatalities, as well as personal failures, losses, and setbacks, the picture looks even more bleak. So it is no surprise that many of our people are feeling helpless and hopeless, as it seems that there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
It is in view of this that the Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU) will focus on the issue of HOPE at our up coming General Assembly, and for two years after that. It is important for Christians and others know that in extreme times, there is still a God who will give us what it takes to face, cope, and conquer the challenges of the day, a God who allows us to see the silver lining behind the dark cloud. Of course, we do not intend merely to talk about what hope is but also to show what hope does.
Meanwhile, we continue to live in the Spirit. So what does the Spirit say to the churches? “The Spirit is here to help [you] in your weaknesses. [You] do not know to pray as [you] ought; but the Spirit prays for [you] with groans that words cannot express. And the One who searches [y]our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit prays for the saints in agreement with what God wants. And know that in all things, God works for the good of them who love him, those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:26-8 paraphrased).
What does all this mean to you and me today? It means that, sometimes, in life - like now- there is much PERPLEXITY, things to befuddle the mind and dampen the spirit. In those times when we often do not know what to do, we can, and should, PRAY. But what, and how, should we pray? Where do we begin in the “confused maze”? In the hazy state, thank God that there is a PARTNER, the Truine God who is for us, with us and in us helping to make sense of this crazy life and giving us the strength to go on. This God assures us that though it does not always seem so, God is working to bring blessing in every situation, and seeking to weave together every situation, helpful or hurtful, triumphant or tragic, to achieve God’s wise, loving, and beneficial PURPOSE for the world and for the individual. In the PROCESS, if we respond to the Spirit’s prompting to trust God in all things, we will become Christlike; that is, able to engage life to the full with a view to helping other people to become changed for the better, even as we become better ourselves. So in the end, my friends, we can truly say with the apostle Paul, “If God be for us, who can be against us?...In all these things we are more than conquerors through the One who loved us. For I am persuaded and convinced that nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from God’s love for us in Jesus Christ” (Romans 8: 31, 36, 38-9).
So ... with the Lord on our side and we on his, it will be a Happy New Year! For with his help, as church, we will seek to assist people economically and socially. We will seek to help those who have lost jobs, livelihood, homes, and property, to gain new skills and habitats. Despite the fact that we recognize that more of the same is likely, given the continued national and global recession, and given the tax package, wage freeze and IMF stipulations recently announced by the government, we need to keep on sharing our resources with those who stand in greatest need. We must pledge to stand beside the wounded, victims, and the vulnerable in the midst of the continuing increase in crime and violence, road accidents and fatalities, as well as with those experiencing personal failures, losses, and setbacks. For such is the duty of those living in the Spirit of help and hope, the same Spirit who, as we assist others, will help us to have His help and hope in our time of need as well. I pray that you will be numbered as one such person.
On a personal note, this is my last time writing to you as your President, as at the end of the next Assembly, Rev. Cawley Bolt, will become the new President. Please give him all the support, prayer, and encouragement, which he will need in his new role. Thank you all for all the support, prayer, and encouragement that you have given to me during my tenure, and I trust that the service that I have been able to offer was a blessing to you all, and that that it gave glory to the Triune God. May the PEACE of the LORD be with you all.
Your brother in Christ,
Stephen C. A. Jennings (Rev. Dr.)
Published in the Baptist Reporter – January 2010 Issue
|
|
Message From The President