Hello Dear Friends,

In this Friday email I thought I’d springboard slightly off the previous letter I wrote in March of this year (the editor has kindly placed the link to that email for those who need a refresher HERE). In slight recap, I was inspired by the reality of Jesus’ return and how that fact stands as an anchor for our souls in the midst of life’s storms. Praise the Lord for how that glorious truth still stands as we’re in the month of August. However, the fact that Christ will return does not absolve us from living differently as salt and light in this dark world. I believe that was a key concept underlying Jesus’ admonition in Matthew 5:13-17 to let our light shine and be salt.

Yet, how are we to fulfill the call to live our lives with intentional distinction? Enter in the idea of millennial living. For some, this concept will be very familiar. Yet, for myself, and those of a younger generation a refresher might be in order. The term Millennium, from which the derivative millennial comes, refers to the prospect that after Jesus returns to earth, He will reign for one thousand years as King. This will be known, as we have come to know in literature, as the “golden age” of Jesus’ kingdom here on earth. Things we could not even imagine happening in our current world will be common place during that time period—things like Lions and Lambs being around each other without one feasting on the other. I am definitely looking forward to seeing that, and so much more.

So what does it look like to engage in millennial living? My personal definition of millennial living would be: Living now how I know, from scripture, I will live after Jesus returns. It means living out of the reality that Jesus is coming back, so how I now live my life matters, because I’m preparing for how things will be when He comes back. So what I watch, listen to, wear, play, or spend my time doing matters, and I am preparing for the return of Jesus.

Honoring the Sabbath is an outworking of millennial living, because it is something we will continue to do once Jesus returns. It is an embodiment of our faith, put into tangible action in a world that says, “Go, go, go. Do, do, do.” A world that deceives us into thinking we can be more efficient and productive if we never slow down, unplug, or refocus. It is one of the greatest lies which our enemy perpetrates on us in his campaign of weapons of mass distraction. Because if he can trick us into losing focus on what really matters, then we are no longer salt and light.

However, if we are able to focus on what really matters, then we are preserving our flavor. Each Sabbath I have a mental image of intentionally leaving behind the worries and cares of the week, and usually this image factors into my prayer to welcome the Sabbath. My prayer for myself and each one of you would be that this upcoming Sabbath be one free of anxiety, as we follow the admonition of 1 Peter 5:7 to “cast all your anxiety on him [Jesus] because He cares for you.” (NIV)

Warmly,

Clyde

P.S. Attached is a link to a beautiful rendition of “All Your Anxieties” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIm_Bzy0hIs