As I reflect on all of the events of the last several days and weeks, various Bible passages came to my mind. Some of these include:Psalm 10:1
1 Why, LORD, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
Isaiah 63:17
17 Why, LORD, do you make us wander from your ways
and harden our hearts so we do not revere you?
Return for the sake of your servants,
the tribes that are your inheritance.
Psalm 6:3
3 My soul is in deep anguish.
How long, LORD, how long?
It’s been exactly one month since I assumed the role of acting Executive Director of the CRCNA, and today starts only the second week of our working from home and living into the new reality of relative isolation as we take measures as a result of the spread of COVID – 19. As I think about the many changes in our workplace, in our churches, in our denomination and significant life changes in society at large, we might be tempted to ask like the psalmists and the prophets of old – Why Lord? How long Lord? We might even add a few questions of our own.
- Why is this happening?
- Where is God in all of this?
- Where does this end?
- How long will this go on?
- Who will be impacted… Will I?
As reformed Christians, we understand that the seeds of this pandemic go back to the beginning of time. We live in a sinful and fallen world. As we look at these issues and reflect on what has been happening worldwide throughout history, we realize that nothing that we are currently enduring is new to some populations around the world. There are individuals for whom this is their normal routine. This fact might be little comfort for most of us, but one impact of our current condition should make us more aware and compassionate and empathetic toward others. Toward the –
- Refugees
- Displaced
- Impacted by wars… Famine… Lack of water
- and the list goes on
Jesus tells us that – In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world. John 16:33. The apostle Paul, under the direction of the Holy Spirit writes – Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39.
We have all become familiar with the term social distancing, but I prefer to think of it as physical distancing. Now more than ever, we must be the church, we are the called-out ones, we are called to a higher sense of unity, so that we can demonstrate our calling to rest of creation. We must practice an even greater call to connection with each other. So as we practice physical distancing, I believe that we are called to increase our social engagement – to find ways to connect, though virtually, with each other.
And we are called to pray for each other. There are several opportunities to connect with each other to pray. Rev. Denise Posie, our prayer coordinator, has shared with me a number of possible opportunities, some of which are listed below, which are available to all of us. As we navigate these new waters, I encourage you to participate in one of these, or to create even more spaces for reaching out and supporting each other.
In this time of trouble, which Jesus promised we would have, may we be the church, may we demonstrate the unity Jesus prayed for in John 17, and may we continue to connect in a way that enables all of us to live in the reality of Jesus prayer when he said…
“… Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me”. John 17:23
Prayer:
God of all comfort… comfort us now that we will be able to comfort others
God of peace… Grant us your peace, so that we will be peacemakers
God of all healing… Heal the afflicted, the sick and the vulnerable, so that they may be restored
Amen