“Now great crowds accompanied Him, and He turned and said to them, ‘If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.’” Luke 14:25-26
As I sit down to write this newsletter article, it is my last as your pastor. Writing such a sentence brings a lot of thoughts to my mind! Like, how the Tumas have been abundantly blessed at St. John’s for 17 years! Like, how can 17 years go by so fast?! Like, by God’s grace alone, the Lord has allowed me to be called your pastor. Like, by God’s grace alone, Rebecca and I have been blessed to walk with you as God’s people together.
But while my thoughts are many in writing this final newsletter article, I would like to focus on Jesus’ words above. Often, when it comes to Jesus’ words, we need to ask ourselves the question: What is Jesus saying and what is He not saying? Such is the case here.
In the passage above, Jesus is NOT saying He wants us to hate people in the normal sense of the word. Normally, we define hate as being really angry at someone and despising them. We define it as having an intense or passionate dislike of someone. This is NOT what Jesus is calling us to do.
Instead, Jesus is using the word “hate” with the idea of choosing. Choosing one thing over the other. The same idea is found in Amos 5:14 & 15 where God’s word says, “Seek good, and not evil…Hate evil, and love good.” So, as Jesus uses the word “hate” above, He is calling us to choose HIS way.
In responding to the Call that I received from Immanuel Lutheran Church of Osmond, I was led to make a difficult choice. I was led to make a difficult decision. After much prayer, the reading of God’s word, conversations with others and much reflection, the Lord led me to accept the Call to serve Him and His people at Immanuel, Osmond.
Having said this, it does not mean that I don’t like St. John’s – I do! It does not mean that I don’t love St. John’s – I do! You have been family to Rebecca and I for 17 years! What it does mean is that the Lord is leading Rebecca and I in a different direction…as He did 17 years ago in leading us to St. John’s. It also means that while we may live apart from each other we will still be brothers and sisters in Christ. And for this, I will always cherish our memories together in thanks and praise to God.
So, in closing I would like to say 3 things:
1. Thank you! Thank you to all who have been an active part of St. John’s ministry over these 17 years. Thank you for your tireless dedication, your enduring faith and the way you have lived it.
2. Keep going! Step forward in faith and trust that Jesus will provide. Things will be a bit more challenging going forward, but if everyone does a bit more, things will be easier. Pray about how you can play your part.
3. To God be the glory! “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
God bless and keep you always!
Pastor Tuma