Walter has lived in Bartow county his entire life.  Over the years he has seen many changes take place in his community. He used to attend church every Sunday until a year or so ago. When asked why he no longer attended church, Walter simply replied “church is not like it used to be.”

Almost everyone thought that Walter meant that he did not like the new music. They thought he was being old and cantankerous.  He wasn’t! Walter was really talking about the difficulty of attending church without his wife who had died 2 years previously. She was the only reason he went church.

Think about the tragedy of Walter’s answer. Pleasing his wife was his only reason for attending church. He sat in church Sunday after Sunday, year after year but never found Christ there.  Now, with his wife gone, and Christ never having been received by him, there was nothing at Church for him now.

5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah. Psalm 62:5–8

Rest, peace, and hope come from God alone.  Serving Christ in order to please someone else is not a proper motivation for service.  Is God your rock? Is He your salvation? Without Him you will be shaken, without Him you will find no rest.

Pray that our Heavenly Father will restore joy to those who are dealing with despair.  Ask God to help Walter discover a new purpose in life and new a relationship with Christ. If you know someone like Walter take it upon yourself to share Christ with them.