I don’t know about you, but it just feels kind of hard right now, doesn’t it? Life seems complicated at the moment. Right now feels like a time of collective heaviness. Perhaps the weather plays a contributing factor too. It gets dark earlier in the day. We have more cold and gloomy days than we have warm and sunny. Plus, we’re still in a global pandemic that continues to affect every single one of us, every single day. It’s easy to think back on the “good ole days” and wonder if we’ll ever get back to what we thought was normal. Things are hard. 

Earlier this week, I talked with my friend and co-worker, Arlan Howard. Yes, we did some reflecting back on some of those “good ole days.” But we also talked about the things that are bringing us much hope and joy right now. And we even discussed the things to come in 2022. As we reflected on the past, thought about the right here and now, and dreamed of the future, a consistent theme ran throughout. Do you want to know what it is? That theme was you. Yes, you! Time and again, when I think of the things that we’re most proud of at Mount Carmel, the things that bring us the most joy and hope, even when things are hard, they are without a doubt the people that make up the church at Mount Carmel. 

I could tell you story after story about the people of Mount Carmel. I could tell you stories of the many mission trips where our people went and served communities devasted by natural disasters. I could tell you stories of our people coming together to meet needs in our own local community. I could tell you stories of small groups gathering together to sharpen each other through the Word of God. I could tell you stories of our people joining together to worship our heavenly Father. Oh, the stories I could tell. But what continues to give me hope and bring me joy is that those stories aren’t over! I don’t know what the year 2022 will bring, but I know that there are many stories yet to be written. At Mount Carmel, we have our “Build” team. Our Build team is responsible for helping bring people into community with one another to fulfill the Great Commission. Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

While I can’t tell you exactly what 2022 has in store for us at Mount Carmel, I am confident that we will come out on the other side with more stories to tell. There will be stories of small groups formed, friendships built, faith strengthened, marriages restored, and disciples made.

What story are you writing this year? What story will you be a part of?

I love ya,

Aaron Adams