From the Pastor

The Wisdom of Numbering Our Days
(Psalm 90:4, 12-14)

The comparison/contrast between eternity on the one hand and time measured by watches and hourglasses on the other has always been a mindblower for me. Once upon a time when I was a little guy, my grandpa repeated Hendrik van Loon’s parable in The Story of Mankind: “Imagine a mountain 100 miles high and 100 miles long. Every thousand years a tiny bird comes to this mountain to sharpen its beak. Once that entire mountain has been worn away, one day in eternity will have passed!” Wow. Then — and now — I realized my finite brain cannot easily comprehend the notion. But once every 365 days we turn the calendar from one year to the next. It is a moment to remember just how short our lives here truly are.

“Teach us to number our days,” the Psalmist asks of God, “so that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Though the brevity of life may seem like an issue best ignored or simply put out of mind as we advance from one calendar year to the next… the Psalmist indicates that wisdom is found in lingering a bit on that topic. Doing so we may find the end of the year to be an opportune time once again to find our heart’s rest in our God of forgiveness. We need not continue to look back with regret over what might be left unaccomplished in the past year. And we have every reason to look ahead to what is coming in the new year! Our God restores us and reconciles us to Himself time and time again. Every morning gifted by God is a morning to find satisfaction in God’s “unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days” (90:14). This new year will bring its own share of ups and downs, gains and losses, hopes and challenges. But no matter what may come our way, we find ourselves in the loving embrace of our God. There is no better place we could ever be.

As I look forward to the events of this year, let me finally offer up a heartfelt “thank you” to all of you who took the time to complete and submit the congregational survey last month. Your feedback better enables us to seek God’s direction for us as a congregation in the months to come. I look forward to working with our congregation’s staff, Council, and all of you as we seek a path forward together that allows the mission of God at Resurrection Lutheran Church, School, and Preschool to continue and grow. Entering 2026 there is much to be thankful for… and excited about!

A very blessed New Year to all of you,
Pastor Jonathan