The Steeple Rises Again

               Hurricane Ian took a toll on our community with widespread damage.  One of the casualties of the hurricane was our church’s steeple.  It had blown down during Hurricane Charlie, was taken down before Hurricane Irma and was blown off the roof again during Ian.  This time the steeple was damaged beyond repair.  Our church ordered a new one and it was delivered.  Delay after delay left our new steeple lying on the ground for several more months.  Finally, about a week before Christmas, the day arrived, and the workmen came to our church.  Using a crane and boom truck they lifted the steeple to its position on the church roof.  We are so thankful to God that our steeple stands once again as our representative, pointing constantly to our Most High God.

            Church steeples were used to house bells which would be used to announce the coming church service.  They also would be taller than any other structure in town so people could find their way to church.  However, the greatest significance of the steeple today is to be a visual lesson on the transcendence and glory of God.  He is above all. The Bible describes one of the names of God as El Elyon (The Most High God).  It is the church’s holy responsibility to point the world to God.  Our worship should be directed to the Most High God.  Our lives should be lived in obedience to the Most High God.  And our witness points others to claim the Most High God as their own.

            Sometimes our spiritual life will take a hit by some devastating storm.  Our confidence is destroyed, our relationship is cold, and our faith may be weakened by the storm.  We may find ourselves like our steeple, lying on the ground out of the race and useless.  But God is always there inviting us to get up and rise again.  Like our church’s steeple we too can rise again and point other to the Most High God.