Friday, February 28, 2020

The Journey Continues March 2020

The Journey Continues .....

      There is an old saying that goes, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
Truer words have never be spoken. Our lives are in a constant state of change. Whether we are
1 year old or 100 years old, every day of our lives our bodies get a little bit older and we change
a little bit more. Most of the changes we experience are imperceptible moment by moment, such
as younger folks getting taller or older folks getting shorter. But when we look back over time,
we can see how much those little changes add up.

     Beyond the changes we experience in our physical bodies, we also face changes in the
circumstances of our lives. Sometimes – as with graduations, weddings, or the birth of a child –
our circumstances change and we have time to make plans so that we can adjust to whatever
the new normal might be. But often times, events happen suddenly and unexpectedly – as with
a medical event, an accident, or the loss of a loved one – and we have little if any time to make
plans. I don’t know about you, but I find situations that leave no opportunity to plan rather
stressful and unappealing. But I wonder, is it the change that is unappealing, or is it the lack of
control that is unappealing? Hmmmmm, that’s an interesting thought isn’t it? Maybe the lack of
control is what makes changes so unappealing in our lives? But that’s a topic for another day.

     Whether we embrace change or stubbornly resist change, there will be changes coming
to St. Mark’s and St. John’s in 2020. I can make a pretty good guess as to what those changes
will be, and I know the vision I will work towards as the changes take place, but I’m only 50%
sure what those changes will look like as 2020 unfolds. Time will tell. The only thing I am sure
about is this: we are going to need each other in the weeks and months ahead. I am going to
need you as much as you are going to need me. And together we will need the wisdom and
strength, the peace and comfort, the patience and understanding, and the hope and promise we
have through our relationship with God.

     While no one likes times of uncertainty and change, we read in the Bible that God works
miracles in the midst of chaos and instability. When facing the most impossible situations, God
works through the most unlikely people. Whether it is an undersized David defeating the giant
Goliath, or it is Abraham and Sarah giving birth to their first son when they were in their late 90’s,
or it is an 80 year old Moses who was sent to confront the ruler of the world’s military super
power to free the Israelites from slavery, or it is Jesus overcoming the brutality of the cross
through the glory of the resurrection, or it was Jesus confronting the chief persecutor of
Christians on the road to Damascus (Saul of Tarsus) and transforming him into the greatest
voice for proclaiming Christianity since John the Baptist (the Apostle Paul). God always seems
to perform miracles in times of uncertainty and challenge because we (as in the human race)
tend to step back and get out of the way when we feel overwhelmed. Whenever we step back,
we allow God the space He needs for the miracle to take place.

     Well, I believe God is going to work a miracle in our lives in the midst of our uncertainty
and instability, too. But we need to trust God will bring that miracle when the miracle is ready for
us and when we are ready for the miracle. Until God’s miracle arrives, we need to continue to
step out in faith and believe that God will be with us every step of the way. And we need to be
patient, and understanding, and forgiving of ourselves and others as we seek to discover our
new normal. These will be challenging times for sure, but if we lean on God and become closer
to each other on the journey ahead, then we will look back on this time and be thankful for all
the ways God has worked in and through our lives.

The Journey Continues…
Pastor Dave

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