As I write this, Westside Bible Church, where I pastor, is about to celebrate her 10th anniversary. In preparing for our celebrations, I was profoundly moved as I learned more about the pre-history of our church and viewed photographs of the individuals who were part of it. You see, even though we are celebrating 10 years as a congregation, our origin dates back to 1913 when Methodists started a church in Victoria. When they joined the United Church their building was used as a Sunday school. This work eventually grew into another church that, after some years, joined the AGC. With the passing of time that church ebbed and flowed until the time came for it to be closed, it's building sold, and the proceeds held in trust to begin another AGC work in Victoria. That work was and is Westside Bible Church.
While viewing the photographs of those Methodists of 1913, I couldn't help but wonder if they ever imagined or thought their service for the Lord would continue on for so long or in the way that it did. Did they labour, pray, and study with an eye to our present? Were they moved to sacrifice for generations that would follow one that wasn't even born yet?
What about you? Have you ever stopped to think that what you do this day may be looked back upon by future generations? Did you know that what you do today with an eye for tomorrow may in fact shape the lives of those who will not take their first breath for another 10, 50 or 100 years? With that possibility, what importance and significance even the most mundane of tasks, or smallest of thoughts, takes on! The small choice we choose for today may carve a canyon of praise to God in the future. One small drop of obedience in the next minute may flow into an ocean of salvation amongst future generations of souls.
Let us pray that it may be so, that we may all be somebody's history.
Pastor Tim has retired from pastoring local churches and is now working alongside his wife to help refugees and persecuted Christians.
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