Edwin Jones, Pastor
If I were to ask you what your favorite song was from twenty years ago, I wonder how many of you would think of a group or tune from the 1980s. I was recently asked that question from a friend, and my mind went back to ABBA, the Bee Gees, and the Eagles. Then, I realized I was back in the ’70s with some of my favorites coming from the late ’60s.
Our memories seem to transcend time. I’m amazed that at the beginning of the century we were concerned with things like Y2K. Now, we moved into yet another decade. Where indeed has the time gone? In the last ten years, we’ve watched three of our four grandchildren grow into adults, and I had the privilege of officiating the wedding of our oldest, Hannah. I’ve served four different employers, the latest being Fellowship at the Ranch Church. And, I’ve enjoyed another decade of marriage to the woman of my dreams.
As we enter the next decade, I can only guess at what we will see and experience in the years to come. The only thing that I am sure of is that God is still in control. Colossians 1:17 states, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” In a world that often seems to spin off its axis, the fact that the Creator who was, is, and is to come is sovereign and holds everything together brings comfort and peace.
Twila Paris ends her song, God is in Control with this verse, “He has never let you down, why start to worry now? Why start to worry now? He is still the Lord of all we see, and He is still the loving Father watching over you and me.” The lyrics suggest that to be free of worry and discontent, it would seem prudent to put your trust in God. This April 19, it will be 36 years since I did just that. I admit that it hasn’t been a smooth ride. No life is. But, having trusted my Savior since then, I can say with certainty that He has never let me down or deserted me.
Occasionally, folks will ask how a person with my obvious personality trait, Type A, can relax and be at peace when so much of our world is in turmoil and strife. I simply reply that I’ve heeded the advice from the best source I could find. I will close with that advice from Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Welcome, 2020!
Ed Jones pastors Fellowship at the Ranch Church at Robson Ranch. This nondenominational church meets at the Robson Clubhouse on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. For information, visit Fellowship’s website: www.fellowshipattheranchchurch.com.