When I was growing up, I played with legos a lot. I built huge castles and structures and played make believe life with the little lego people. Occasionally, however, one of my siblings would come and destroy my creation just because they could. And yet, I would always build it back and the next time around I would make it even better than it was before.

I am reminded that life in the wake of destruction is painful and frustrating, and yet in that remains hope for something better. This week’s scripture comes from Acts 15:1-18 when the church was going through a lot of division and debate. The leaders had disagreements on how to run the church and who could be included in that work.

Paul and Barnabas shared with them the wonders God had been doing through many different types of people. And later, James recalls the words of the prophet, Amos, which proclaims hope in God’s power to bring redemption and restoration to the world. These leaders reminded everyone present that God was in the business of re-building the people of God from the depths of their division.

As we reflect on our world today, it often feels like we are looking at the ruins of something that once was. We see a world divided and without hope. And yet, today we are reminded that God is in the business of restoration and redemption. While we may see only ruins, God sees the potential of what is still to come. God knows that there is still something better ahead of us.

While it feels as if things have been destroyed, today we find hope in the fact that God is currently re-building us as people of faith after all that we’ve faced over the past few years. And just like the lego story, God is building us back better than we have ever experienced before. We may not see it now, but it is happening in our midst. God is yet at work.

This week, might you find time to be silent with God. Take a few moments and release your feelings to God and allow God to meet you there with grace. When we encounter God in these times/places, I firmly believe our faith is renewed and strengthened. Know that we are in a season of re-building. It may be unfamiliar and scary, but God is right here with us. And if God is for us, then who can stand against?

I hope you’ll join us for worship this Sunday at 11am in person or online. We’ll be discussing this passage from Acts and learning how God wants to use us in re-building the vision for our community of faith. All are welcome and all belong here.

See you on Sunday!

Peace and blessings,

Pastor Kipp