Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
In February, I attended a high-school parent appreciation dinner at our church. The Leader, Kumi, had students (including Zachary) write and read a eulogy for their parents. Kumi started this tradition several years back after attending a memorial service where a child spoke about their parent, and he thought if only the parent could have heard that during their life. Between January and April, we received the news of 7 deaths, and it has been sobering. As we have been, we want to encourage you to seize three opportunities before you today : 1) forgive one another, 2) redeem the time and 3) fulfill the greatest commandment. "Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity... forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:26-27, 32, NASB). The reality is we get angry and sin against one another. I have heard it said, once upset, the clock starts ticking, to "get over it....