Eric's Beijing Diary

This morning I went with Rose and Titus to a New Year's Day service at a house church. Actually, it was a group of house churches meeting together in a rented auditorium. One thing about house church meetings: they tend to go a little long. But it was very good. Those guys really know how to worship. Can't think of a better way to start the year. And their decision to begin the year by worshipping God will surely lead to blessing.

After the service, we went out to dinner with a brother who happens to have a car, and took us to a restaurant. As we were eating, they asked me if I thought Bush was really a Christian. I have had this discussion many times in China. I told them that I believe he is. He made a decision based on what he wanted to believe, rather than making sure he was on a firm foundation. It is called presumption. He is not the first Christian in human history to make that mistake.

It hasn't quite hit me that a new year is upon us. But the inexorable passing of time never waits for our realization that it is happening. It happens whether we are ready or not. Like the picture I showed you the other day. The year 2006 is going out on a train, and the year 2007 is coming in on a bicycle. What does that mean? Probably nothing. We must be careful not to attach too much meaning to incidentals. But time moves on. The forward motion of time is unstoppable. It doesn't wait for us. All the more reason to turn our minds and hearts to the One who speaks from Heaven, and seek His purpose. As chaotic as this world may seem at times, it is ruled by a God who is intensely personal, and purposeful. This, really, is our greatest hope. Purpose. Direction. Focus. My God give us a passion for His heart and purpose.