Due to the pandemic, our traditional relationship styles have been shaken. It has sent us into forced social isolation from family and friends, and even some of the best heroic efforts of caregivers willing to place their lives in jeopardy have been unable to save the lives of many of our most vulnerable and beloved folk.
In addition to the shared periods of boredom, feelings of frustration and helplessness of our days, many of us are also in a time of deep loss and grief, compounded by our inability to arrange the appropriate goodbyes we would wish, celebrating the lives and legacies of our loved ones. It is hard to live in these ways. We can be forgiven when we feel a little lost and forgotten.
But friends, we are not alone. This is where our faith needs to come in. Indeed, our faith tells us that when we weep, our God weeps with us.
As the shepherd boy, David, reminded us, when we are passing through the valley of the shadow of death, it is time to remember the one unshakeable source of our strength and join him in the confidence he placed in the Good Shepherd from whom we have nothing to fear. Like him, let us be bold to trust once again that green pastures and still waters can and do still lie ahead.
As we read in 1st Corinthians 18: “This (faith) is not foolishness but to those who are being saved - the power of God.” This is why God sent Jesus into the world. Through Him, the power and principalities of this world are overcome; death is a defeated enemy. Our bible is full of such assurances.
One of my favourite texts is from Isaiah 44:8 where we are told: “Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any God besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one.”
Friends, it is to this Rock we must now turn. And, as promised in Psalm 91, when we do so, “God will bear us up on eagle’s wings, make us to shine like the sun, and hold us in the palm of His hand.” Trials may come and go, but it is by this hope we are saved. A new dawn is coming. Thanks be to God! Amen.
- Rev Ray Purdie, St. Andrew’s United Church, Imperial SK.
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Disclaimer: opinions expressed are those of the writer.