Letter to the Congregations: 6th December 2025

Our Dear Brethren,

“I returned and saw under the sun that—the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all” (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

Solomon, with the God-given wisdom he had, came to the conclusion that no human being has total control over life. Of course he also came to the conclusion that we still have a choice to make with the time we have been given. After all, his final conclusion and advice to all of us is that, despite what happens in life, despite our successes and failures, despite what we have done in the past, we should choose to do good over doing evil. And furthermore we should look to God for the definition of what is good and what is evil.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

James the brother of Jesus, no doubt familiar with the writings of Solomon, conveyed similar wisdom to God’s people. James further elaborated on this wisdom as he drew from his own life experiences as he was guided by God personally, reminding us that we have a responsibility to choose to do good once we know it is the will of God. His letter also should remind us to seek God’s will in life rather than trying to seek our own will. Not to say that we can’t or shouldn’t make plans but that we should seek guidance from God in making those plans. And understand that our thoughts and plans aren’t necessarily inline with the will of our Creator.

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’ But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:13-17).

We know these things. We have learned this wisdom. And so we press on, navigating the unexpected, not being disappointed with what may come, knowing that our God is trustworthy and His will is perfect.

Our love is with you,

Lewis VanAusdle

Pastor, United Church of God

NYC, NJ, CT, Malawi, Zimbabwe