Grace and Peace Beloved St. Lukers,
I hope this message finds you well, and that this week you’ve found opportunities to reveal the Kingdom of God to others. Last week, I had the joy of joining my wife, Shelly, as we witnessed our dear friend Joshua take a huge step in doing just that. We went to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for his new business, which is working to make affordable housing a reality. The mayor was there, along with key community leaders, including the head of structural engineering at UCF and local council members. It was, without a doubt, a Kingdom celebration.
Joshua’s story is particularly moving because, for a portion of his childhood, he experienced homelessness alongside his mother and siblings. He is a man of deep faith, filled with an infectious spirit of gratitude and joy, and he is unwavering in his commitment to his values—values that center on everyone having a safe, warm place to live, and caring for the least among us.
There’s a quote I heard once from Roy Disney: “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” I’m not sure if Disney actually said it, but there is truth in it. Joshua’s life is proof. His clarity of values, combined with his faith and spirit, propelled him to that moment where his dream became a reality.
This week in worship, we begin a new sermon series called “Resolute in Purpose.” Pastor Melissa will be bringing a word from Daniel chapters 1 and 3 as we reflect on the question: “What Do I Value?” Because when your values are Kingdom values, making Kingdom decisions becomes easier.
Blessings,
Pastor Jad