Here & Now
“The best is yet to come!” This statement has often been a popular rallying cry, especially for the Church. It’s a declaration rooted in the belief that God has great things in store for his people just beyond the horizon. And it’s a sentiment we’ve shared and stated here at Cornerstone...but, not anymore. Of course, we still believe the future is bright. But who has time for what’s to come when we’re too busy being blessed by what is? You see, the best isn’t “yet to come”—it’s here and now! God is on the move, and he is doing a new thing NOW, in the midst of our present circumstances. Instead of focusing on the future, we’re determined to follow God’s lead, right here and right now.
Part 1
February 21
On Your Mark
When runners line up for a race, the first thing they do is find their mark. This mark, often a line drawn across the track, provides a starting point for the runners—and in the case of the 400m race—it’s also the finish line. As runners take their place at the line, they’re simultaneously standing at the start and finish of the race. Cornerstone is following suit, as we get on our mark and see how what God has for us in the future is attainable through our faith in the present.
Part 2
February 28
No One Else Is Coming
Most fairy tales follow the same narrative—a princess locked in a tower, a dragon imprisoning her, and a brave hero coming to save the day. In those stories, the princess doesn’t need to do anything. Just sit back and wait. But what if there was no prince coming to the rescue? What if her freedom and future rested in her deciding to take action? In our lives, more often than not, there is no one else coming. It’s on each of us to take charge of ourselves and act, trusting that God will be with us as we fight for our future.
Part 3
March 7
Ravens, Oil, Fire & Food
Trusting God in the here and now is easier said than done. That’s because God isn’t the only one that requires my present attention. Hectic schedules, mounting bills...how can I give God my time, talent, and treasure in the here and now - and still have anything left in the here and now? If I step out in audacious faith and give generously, will God see me through—not just in some distant future—but in the midst of my present sacrifices?
Part 4
March 14
Nothing Given, Everything Earned
We’ve looked to the future, we know it’s on us, and we have confidence that God will provide. That leaves us with just one more thing to do as we build our future in the present—move! The time for preparation is over. A fulfilling future won’t be handed to us on a silver platter. As a famous native son of Northeast Ohio once said, “Nothing is given, everything is earned.” Do we truly want the blessings that God has for us? They can be ours—and not “someday” off in the distant future—but right here and now. All we have to do is move.