What we're made for and what we're waiting for.
Most days I am doing just fine. In fact, I’m doing more than fine, truly enjoying the life to which our God has called me! The work I get to do with the good people of Redeemer Lutheran Church is good work, satisfying work, teamed with wonderful sons and daughters of the Most High. My health is terrific, and our family is growing and doing well, an affirmative answer to our prayers. Thank you, dear Father in heaven.
But then there are those moments when my view is captivated by the work of the Old Evil Foe. My dissatisfaction with the way people treat one another (military invasions, violence in our streets, vicious exchanges on social media, and what have you) can at moments bring me very low. My prayerful desire in such moments is for the Spirit of the Living God boldly to manifest Himself, reconciling and uniting people through the power of the crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ Jesus.
A quote that comes to mind regarding that desire comes from C. S. Lewis: “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”
We were made for a world of God’s abundant presence. We soiled that world with our sin and so there are those ills, those disappointments, and those outright evils. This will be the case until Jesus returns and ushers in the Kingdom, new and glorious, which was purchased by His blood. “In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Sometimes, these little gems come along, however, and give us a glimpse of the world
to come. At worship I usually make it a practice to bless the children who come forward with their family for Holy Communion. This past Saturday night, while making the sign of the cross over a little boy I said something like “God’s grace always give you comfort and joy!” He responded by pointing at me and saying, “You, too!”
Thank you, heavenly Father, for this grace, too!
Our pandemic experiences in review
Tim Elmore utilizes helpful metaphors. Here is one he shared on the pandemic, two years in.
“Boats and Weather
Several folks began using this helpful metaphor. Within months, we saw different people react uniquely to the pandemic, and some became judgmental of others who seemed to overreact to it all. The metaphor went like this: We’re all in the same boat, but we are not all in the same storm. For some of us, it’s been a light sprinkle. We quarantined with our spouse, cooked dishes from new recipes, and had time for loved ones that we hadn’t had before. For others, it was a downpour. It was scary to watch the news. They got furloughed, perhaps even got infected more than once. Still for others, it’s been a hurricane. Hospitalizations, lost jobs, even loved ones dying from COVID-19. It’s beneficial for me to remember that my storm may be lighter than others, and empathy is the proper response.”
I must confess when I first heard the “same boat, different storm” two years ago it was not explained, and it didn’t make sense to me. Now, with this explanation, it does. Our experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic are almost as varied as we are, and as we relate to one another charity paired with empathy must prevail.
To bring this under a Christian understanding I think Paul’s encouragement to the Galatians (chapter 6) must be a guiding principle: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” God bless you as we continue to navigate these waters, together.
Thankful for God's abundant gifts
We had a celebration this past weekend for 25 years of ministry (out of the overall 73) at our present campus of 6801 N. Allen, Peoria, IL. In that service we had reminders of why we moved (as Rev. Ron Miller and Rev. Steve Hartmann, the two pastors during the transition, preached), as well as elements of what takes place in this space God has provided (with the Preschool singing, a baptism celebrated, communion shared, children’s and women’s ministry involvement, and a meal to enjoy with one another). Through it all, the Gospel of Christ Jesus, crucified, risen, and ascended to rule from on high, was shared: the ministry of our Lord which has forgiven our sins and reconciled us back to God. Thanks be to God for His gift of this place and for all the willing workers who made the celebration possible!