Letter to the Congregations: 18th April 2026

Our Dear Brethren,

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24).

There are times in our lives when we have had to make this decision for ourselves in a big way. When I was younger I did my best to prove this to God (and to myself) in ways that made me stand out from my peers, even from those who, in their own ways, tried to follow Jesus Christ as well. Many have made very drastic changes in their lives to follow after the Son of God, including changing the days and ways they worship, the foods they eat, the way they dress, and how they spend their time. The initial decision is sometimes easy to make even when it means a certain level of suffering. But it’s truly the long-term commitment to strapping on our sandals, picking up that cross, and never looking back that is the most trying.

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25).

It’s every single day that we have to again make the same decision to give up our own ways of living in exchange for the life we have been called to. Have we continued to make this decision in our lives? Not just in the big ways but also in the small ways? Are we willing to still put in the attention and care, the serious effort, the willingness to keep looking forward rather to what is behind us? Do we believe that our daily choice will be worth it in the end? Or would we give up for the sake of making our present situation more comfortable?

Thankfully Jesus elaborated further so we might have the proper perspective of our own trials:

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” (Matthew 16:26-27).

Eternal life and the rewards that come with serving for eternity as part of the family of God. The is should be our focus. Are we preparing now to serve tomorrow? Are we shouldering the heavy loads in life as we share with Christ in His sufferings knowing that we will also share in the ultimate reward? 

Our love is with you,

Lewis VanAusdle

Pastor, United Church of God

NYC, NJ, CT, Malawi, Zimbabwe