We can get through this together.
It’s been a tough six weeks since we were asked to “shelter in place.” Thousands have died. Families are grieving. To make matters worse, we can’t even congregate to share our grief. The economy is in free fall. Millions of people have lost their jobs or been furloughed. Some who have kept their jobs were asked to take a pay cut. And for the rest of us lucky enough not to be in those categories have been worn down by the anxiety, stress, and adjustments to a new way of life.
But we are fortunate in so many ways.
It’s just not easy to see when you’re in the midst of it all. But most of us are healthy. We have enough food. Either someone is helping to take care of our needs or we are able to go out and get essentials and then some. In today’s day and age of connectivity, we are still able to talk to one another face-to-face even if it’s through a screen. People are getting creative with ZOOM parties and parade drive-bys. And for some of us we are reverting to some old-fashioned forms of connecting – like mail!
I am so grateful to God for his comforting and challenging Word. I find myself gaining strength from the stories shared in our Bible from others who have suffered, who have struggled, and who persevered. The tribes of Israel wandering the desert for 40 years, the people escaping Egypt with Moses and crossing the Red Sea, and the disciples who suffered to share the Gospel with the world. Of course, this leads me to think about Paul’s words he wrote in his letter to the Romans, “And let us boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but let us also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Romans 5:3-5).”
We have hope because God can use even this tragedy to strengthen our faith and to form us anew. We will persevere and we will indeed have our Easter!
Stay safe and may God’s presence be seen and heard by you now and always.
Peace in Christ,
Craig
