February 24th, 2026
Purpose
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” -Romans 8:28
The second-grade teacher at my school is one of the most gifted teachers I have ever known. When her students are dawdling or goofing around when they are supposed to be walking in line somewhere, she doesn’t nag them to hurry or tell them to stop playing around. She simply says, “Walk with purpose, second grade.” I love that so much. Walk with purpose. What a beautiful thing to teach. It has an obvious practical application for seven-year-olds; but it’s also good advice for the rest of us.
When John Foster left seven months ago, it was hard. It was a sad parting, as it always is when people we love leave us in one way or another. But one of the things I heard multiple times from the people of CPC, especially some of our leaders, was that we would continue to walk with purpose. It wasn’t said in exactly those words, of course, but the message was clear: We will continue to be about the work of the Church and the spread of the gospel. We will move forward, not stall in a holding pattern. And we have. I don’t mean to sound prideful for us. I mean only to say that we have indeed continued in the work. It goes without saying that it isn’t us. It is grace upon grace that has been visited on us by the Father. Scripture is plain. Without Him, we can do nothing. That’s pretty unequivocal. And so, guided by the Holy Spirit, driven by the mission of the gospel, we have kept moving, walking with purpose.
And look at what the Lord has done. Week by week, our new addition is taking shape. It was a shaky start, I know, but we persevered in faith and God made it happen. We have even raised a steeple. The steeple has purpose, too. Back in 2001, I don’t think we even dreamed of a steeple, but oh, we need it today. It stands against that sky as a message and a beacon: “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” In a time and place where many people are weary and hurting and lost, that matters.
We have continued in outreach to our community, continued to invite people to everything from breakfasts to festivals to church itself. We packed 199 boxes for Operation Christmas Child. We have served and loved and worshiped and prayed together. We have cared for each other in difficult times. We haven’t done it perfectly; we never have and we never will. But we have done it with willing hearts and hands, and that’s what counts, I believe.
Helen Keller is quoted as having once said, “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.” She was correct. That’s why we are called the Body of Christ; why we are called a temple built of living stones. Once upon a time, there were a whole lot of hungry people, and one little boy with five pieces of bread and a couple of sardines or something. But he took what he had to Jesus and let Him do the rest. Which is really all any of us can do.
But now for the hat trick. We have a new pastor coming. It is very tempting to let out a sigh of relief and go on a spiritual sabbatical. But we can’t. Now is the time, more than ever, to continue as we have been. We have a new family to love, and new visions for what is possible in the days and years ahead. My prayer for us is that we will continue to walk with purpose.
Amen.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” -Romans 8:28
The second-grade teacher at my school is one of the most gifted teachers I have ever known. When her students are dawdling or goofing around when they are supposed to be walking in line somewhere, she doesn’t nag them to hurry or tell them to stop playing around. She simply says, “Walk with purpose, second grade.” I love that so much. Walk with purpose. What a beautiful thing to teach. It has an obvious practical application for seven-year-olds; but it’s also good advice for the rest of us.
When John Foster left seven months ago, it was hard. It was a sad parting, as it always is when people we love leave us in one way or another. But one of the things I heard multiple times from the people of CPC, especially some of our leaders, was that we would continue to walk with purpose. It wasn’t said in exactly those words, of course, but the message was clear: We will continue to be about the work of the Church and the spread of the gospel. We will move forward, not stall in a holding pattern. And we have. I don’t mean to sound prideful for us. I mean only to say that we have indeed continued in the work. It goes without saying that it isn’t us. It is grace upon grace that has been visited on us by the Father. Scripture is plain. Without Him, we can do nothing. That’s pretty unequivocal. And so, guided by the Holy Spirit, driven by the mission of the gospel, we have kept moving, walking with purpose.
And look at what the Lord has done. Week by week, our new addition is taking shape. It was a shaky start, I know, but we persevered in faith and God made it happen. We have even raised a steeple. The steeple has purpose, too. Back in 2001, I don’t think we even dreamed of a steeple, but oh, we need it today. It stands against that sky as a message and a beacon: “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” In a time and place where many people are weary and hurting and lost, that matters.
We have continued in outreach to our community, continued to invite people to everything from breakfasts to festivals to church itself. We packed 199 boxes for Operation Christmas Child. We have served and loved and worshiped and prayed together. We have cared for each other in difficult times. We haven’t done it perfectly; we never have and we never will. But we have done it with willing hearts and hands, and that’s what counts, I believe.
Helen Keller is quoted as having once said, “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.” She was correct. That’s why we are called the Body of Christ; why we are called a temple built of living stones. Once upon a time, there were a whole lot of hungry people, and one little boy with five pieces of bread and a couple of sardines or something. But he took what he had to Jesus and let Him do the rest. Which is really all any of us can do.
But now for the hat trick. We have a new pastor coming. It is very tempting to let out a sigh of relief and go on a spiritual sabbatical. But we can’t. Now is the time, more than ever, to continue as we have been. We have a new family to love, and new visions for what is possible in the days and years ahead. My prayer for us is that we will continue to walk with purpose.
Amen.
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