A Fresh Start



The Fresh Cut Grass
The smell of fresh cut grass is a tremendous thing. Going for a jog, or walking the dog as the sun dips behind the tree-line is exponentially improved when the sound of a push-mower firing over after a few pulls disturbs the evening air. The smell of fresh cut grass makes an old dog suddenly tug on the leash, it puts bounce in a worn out person's step, and it petitions bored school-kids to toss their backpacks in the air and RUN!!

The John Deere Man
I once had a biology teacher who joked with the class how he loathed the "John Deere Man." Every spring, while deep in discussion on enthalpy vs. entropy, our class would be interrupted by the janitorial crew buzzing back and forth at Mach 5 out the window while cutting the school's back acreage. With each pass, the classroom's attention was drawn farther and farther outdoors, compelled to do so by that familiar smell of fresh...cut... grass. Ahhh, breathe deeply my friends!

Note: If you happen to be reading this from somewhere other than at Randall Church in Buffalo, NY at a date other than May 2018, this illustration may not be able to directly apply to you. However, here in WNY we experienced a particularly long winter where just this past weekend, although ski resorts lifts have been closed for a month, hikers were permitted to climb to the summit carrying their skis and cruise down the slopes on what still remains of the snow base layer.

The Need for a Fresh Start
Sometimes we just need to smell some fresh cut grass! Sometimes we just need a fresh start! Maybe that resounds with something inside you today? Perhaps you are looking to experience a fresh start as well? 

Perhaps you are feeling out of place and aren't sure where you fit in the family room, the board room, the dorm room, or even the local church. Can I share something with you? God has a place for you. He has heard your cry for help!

I waited patiently for the Lord, and He turned to me and heard my cry for help. He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.​ (Psalms 40:1-3) 

About 20 years ago Rick Warren came up with a little acrostic called S.H.A.P.E. to talk about the five things that make you, you. SHAPE is the way God wired you for your life. Every area of your life is influenced by the way you're shaped.

Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experiences — these are the five things that make you, you. In that combination of spiritual gifts, you have heart, passion, and interests. Why do you think you have those interests? Because God gave them to you. And if we all liked to do the same things, there would be a lot less accomplished in the world.

"God will never ask you to do anything in life that he hasn't already given you the ability to do." 
- Rick Warren

God has a life mission for you that nobody else on this planet can do. Maybe you've missed that mission. Maybe you've missed serving God. But you can start fresh today to make the rest of your life the best of your life. 

Breathe deeply. 
A fresh start is a breathe of fresh air!

Pastor Milo

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