Around us and those we love, it appears that there is a never ending train of bad news chugging through our awareness. This morning I was so relieved not to hear the word Ukraine in the 5 minute news wrap up.
Sometimes we feel small against the wind and waves of life.
A new variant is now spreading and a dear friend is still struggling with the lingering effects of Covid and the price of gas and bread keep rising. Sigh.
It’s no wonder people are struggling emotionally and even mentally.
My focus is wrong.
I’m looking around when I should be looking up.
Be reminded with me:
And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:37-40 ESV)
Trouble is not new, is not seldom, is not far away. No, in its many forms, it is present with us.
Our answer?
Focus on God, he is always there, turn to him, always faithful, always with us.
“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”
Psalm 9:1-2 ESV
“Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 117:1-2 ESV
A friend in Ukraine used these profound words in a brief discussion.
When asked if they believed their president, the answer was “I believe God.”
In what followed were these helpful words: “panic is a bad helper”.
When we are growing in our trust in God it becomes easier to face trouble. When we’re facing the unknown, we don’t need to panic because we can boldly run to the throne of Grace where we know we are heard by the all knowing, all living God.
Our wickedness shall not overpower the unspeakable goodness and mercy of God; our dullness shall not overpower God’s wisdom, nor our infirmity God’s omnipotence. (St. John of Kronstadt)
As an assignment I asked students to describe the way they wanted to grow in 2022. One said “I want my faith to grow.
This morning M’Cheyne brought me to this:
“So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 ESV
But, sometimes our fear is stronger than our faith*
I surely know what that feels like. Here’s an old post that describes my discipline to build trust in God:
It is natural for us to gravitate to what we like, to what we are familiar with, to that with which we feel comfortable. Such as it is with buffet Christianity. In the last few years I’ve noticed an increase in this phenomenon, the pandemic is a partial cause.
A recent Christmas dinner in Eastern Europe
When we sit down to a big feast there is often SO MUCH on the table from which to choose that I wind up with only small tastes of everything. Then, if I succumb to the appetite I get my favs as seconds. I choose what I like over that which may be good for me (gravy instead of greens for instance).
For a long time now* we’ve chosen what we like in a congregation, what style we’re comfortable with, how interesting is the preacher, etc. It has down to what we want that drives the decision.
The pandemic sent us to our phones, tablets, and other screens to ‘attend’ our church’s service.
Some of us have never returned to ‘in-person’ because of … well, there are a hundred reasons.
But staying virtual, with no personal connection, is this truly helpful, is it wise? Is it biblical?
One of my fellow disciples put it this way:
To make plain the brilliance [Epiphany y’all! – .ed] of the Gospel. … This can ONLY happen in community. This can not happen in isolation, or on the bike, or in the mountains, or at the beach, etc.
The writers of Hebrews addresses this succinctly:
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)
When the writer said this, he meant gathering (that’s essentially what the Greek words for church means) in a congregation. In that congregation we participate, share and are accountable.
Long ago, before all the choices and styles. Jesus’ followers went to church for hope and to receive instruction. For them it was neither an obligation nor a choice, they were so glad to unite with those who also followed Jesus – which, at that time was often dangerous.
So for months now, I’ve been encouraging friends to get serious about getting back to being present with fellow saints. My pastor friends tell me that too many of us are still sitting in front of screens watching. Let’s get IN and among. Yes, be wise in regards to the virus, but when it’s safe, commit to being in the local congregation, it’s biblical and so much better to be seen and engage than the virtual.
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* While not exclusive so, this was once a truly American phenomenon. This reality is based on a lot of factors, the increase of types of churches from which to choose. Our choices have take precedence over commitment and submission.
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