Editorial by Celeste Ryan Blyden
It’s hard to believe we are still living through a pandemic. Despite all human effort, this virus is relentless and unwilling to relinquish its global grip and march of pain. When you consider the lives lost—more than 5 million worldwide—the families devastated and the economic impact, it’s easy to wonder, what’s next?
Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee members voted to celebrate January 1, 2022, as a day of praise and prayer across the union.
Watch a special message from Columbia Union President Dave Weigley at 10:30 a.m. on the Columbia Union Visitor's Facebook page or Youtube channel.
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep. ... For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:13–18, NKJV).
Josué Sánchez, a former pastor of the Chesapeake Conference, uses creativity to cope with and battle his depression. Watch a video of his story below and see more of his cartoons at josuesanchez.com.
“All of us who ... can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord ... makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image” (2 Cor. 3:18, NLT).
Have you witnessed a butterfly leaving its chrysalis? The cycle goes from a tiny egg to a caterpillar moving around and eating leaves, followed by the chrysalis phase, where other changes take place. Finally, the adult butterfly emerges from its cocoon. Scientists call this process metamorphosis, meaning transformation—a significant change in looks and character.
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Prov. 16:9, NKJV).
Years ago, I started college in Alabama. The degree I chose forced me to transfer to a sister school in California for nine months. An East Coast native, I told God that I would never end up this far away from home again.
A few years later, I was working in Massachusetts, feeling quite at home. My then girlfriend was in graduate school in Maryland. The only way we could plan for our future together, without disrupting what she had started, was to transfer to a school in California. I couldn’t believe that I was willing to return to the place that had me homesick.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20, KJV).
This text comes alive as I reflect on my past and present Christian experience. Paul experienced many challenges in sharing the gospel (2 Cor. 11:24–30). Although not suffering physically like Paul, I gave up my military career to serve Christ. My plan was to retire after two decades and go on to another career and then retire from within the public sector of the same field of service. I could have had two pensions and been financially set for life. At the time, I thought I was really living Galatians 2:20. That was nearly 29 years ago.
“My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me” (Ps. 63:8, NASB).
An item on my bucket list is to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia. Adventurers who cross the structure for a 360-degree view of the waterfront city must wear a special suit that straps them to a railing. Gale winds at the summit can reach 55 miles per hour, enough force to rip a roof off a building.
Securing people to a structure for safety harkens back to ancient Greek literature. In Homer’s epic Odyssey, the hero Odysseus’ ship passes by Sirens, monsters disguised as beautiful women who sing enchanting melodies and lure sailors to their deaths. Odysseus demands to be strapped to the mast so he can hear the music but not be enticed by the Sirens.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, NKJV).
Growing up in a loving Muslim home—led by my generous, strong, industrious mother—was a tremendous blessing to me. A commitment to the five pillars of Islam provided a foundation upon which I developed a reverence for an omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent God.
However, that foundation also left me seeking more. In spite of my questions and misgivings, I persisted in my desire to walk with God unreservedly. I wanted to know truth—even if it made me uncomfortable. One day, while at my university campus job, I lowered my head onto the desk and prayed, “God, please show me truth. No matter how you direct me, I just want to know truth.”
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Prov. 11:24–25, NIV).
For me, Christmas has always been a time of immense gratitude for all that God has done in my life. However, amid the wonderful festivities and excitement—glimmering lights, delicious food and gifts wrapped with bows—it’s easy to forget that for some, these displays are a further reminder of what they don’t have.