In my office, I often find myself gazing at a picture of the original Friedland church building. I try to imagine the people who built this building. What did they look like? What did they sound like? What hopes and dreams did they have? What did they struggle with? And how did they overcome those struggles? In some ways, it can be comforting to look at the past. It can be comforting to look back to a time where some things were simpler and more black and white like this picture. The world we live in now is not quite so black and white, but I believe that those in our church today still possess that same drive and determination our ancestors once had.
I am beginning to feel the world shift around us, and this gives me hope. The question is, now that we are beginning to reemerge, what is it that we should focus on building? Unlike the first Friedland members, we already have the church building, so what is it we need to focus our energy on? Perhaps building and re-building relationships. Perhaps building trust. Perhaps building each other up. Or perhaps something else entirely. While our church is still the same old Friedland, in a way it feels like we are hitting a reset button and beginning anew. I remain excited for the future, and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for this place and the people who call it home. May we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we navigate the ever-changing world around us together.
In Christ,
Pastor Adam
