I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. —2 Timothy 1:5 (niv)
When I was growing up in New York City, our Spanish Pentecostal congregation purchased the building adjacent to the church to expand its ministry. We were in the middle of the construction project to connect both buildings when they collapsed. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
As the news spread, newspapers, TV reporters, strangers, and our church family gathered in front of the rubble. It looked like a scene from a movie. Debris and mangled iron were everywhere, and dust rose up from where the buildings once stood. “What do you think is going to happen to our church?” my cousin Felix asked me.
His mother, Maria Antonia, cried, asking, “Will we be able to rebuild?”
Just when it seemed like a wave of sadness and fear was overtaking us, Pastor Pedro stood up. “I know that we are saddened by the collapse of our buildings and it may seem like our dream is shattered, but God is with our congregation. Our faith will see us through. Our prayers will keep us going.”
That event took place more than forty years ago, but it is etched in my mind and heart. When I face challenges, and obstacles seem impossible to overcome, I remember the courage and resilience of those who stood on that city sidewalk—and I am encouraged to press on.
Lord, thank You for the faith passed on to me by my church family.
Written by Pablo Diaz
Digging Deeper: 1 Cor12; Col1:17–20; 1 Pt 2:9–10
