It’s no secret that our President’s stimulus package is controversial. Modern day Tea Parties and raucous Town Hall gatherings have become the rule rather than the exception. Everyone has their own idea of what will work and what is a very bad idea. I have my own opinion—but this is neither the time nor place for my ranting. With one exception: just out of curiosity I checked on the “Cash for Clunkers” to see how my cars rate. Our newest cars are 10 years old and our other one is 18 years old. (Yes, we have 3 cars and only 2 drivers. In our defense, we’ve kept one as a spare and our children often use it.) The only car that qualifies for the government rebate program is my favorite car. Our 18 year-old Lexus with 172,000 miles is still my favorite, and if I should do something, like trade her in, she’d be crushed. That’s just wrong! So many years of loyal service deserves better than the crushing machine.

 

But I digress—back to my original thoughts. (What were my original thoughts???? Oh yes, the President’s stimulus package.) We’re dealing with a stimulus package that will carry a huge price tag for our children and grandchildren. Its’ success really can’t be determined until sometime in the distant future.

 

Did you know God has a stimulus plan? His stimulus plan is for His church. The author of Hebrews unveiled the plan in chapter 10, verses 23-25. He wrote, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate (here it is—stimulate) one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. No long-term debt, no hidden taxes, no bureaucratic layers, no negative effects. What God has planned is to stimulate His church by using—His church.

 

If you know me very well, you know my default mode is “grump.” Sarcasm is just another service I provide and paranoia is my good friend. Unless I change, I won’t be part of God’s stimulus package. Oh, I’m still going to heaven—that was settled long ago. But when I get there, I don’t want to be met with surprised looks (as in, “Can you believe Gerlt made it? I’m not sure I want to be here if he’s here.”), I want to face folks who are happy to see me. And I don’t want to wait until I die to experience heaven. As I understand it, God intends for us to immediately begin experiencing the joy of heaven at our moment of salvation. So, I’ve got my work cut out for me—and you do, too. We’ve got to get busy encouraging one another to “…love and good deeds….”  

 

Have I told you lately that I love working with you? Have I told you lately that this is a great church and that we can make a huge impact on people? Have I told you lately that I believe our best years are ahead of us? Have I told you lately that you are an inspiration to me? If not, I’m telling you now. (It's a start!)