Dependable

Death and taxes. They say those are the two things we can depend on in life. Of course, they don’t mention the neighbor who borrows your rake and never returns it—again; the low tire light indicator that comes on in your car with the temperature change and you are not near a tire service place or a gas station—again; the goat head weeds that appear after several applications of Weed—B—Gone and Round-up—again; the latest virus that has everyone in seclusion is breaking out in areas thought safe—again. Unpredictability is something else we can depend on.

Through every unpredictable situation, through all disappointments, delays, and disruptions, we can cling even more confidently to the faithfulness of God. He is the only solid rock on which we can firmly stand. He is steadfast and loyal, asking us to trust in his promises. God commands that we not be afraid or terrified; if it weren’t possible, he wouldn’t ask it of us. He guarantees that he will always be with us, no matter where we go. If it weren’t true, he wouldn’t promise it.

During this time of COVOD-19, we continue in our isolation to reduce the spread of the sickness. Who among us in this isolation have a broken spirit? As I make calls to individuals in and outside our congregation during these times, most everyone is positive about what is happening and about how they are feeling.

Humans are a communal being. We desire being with others to have interaction, touch and relationships. I worry for those who have been so isolated from others that their spirit is being broken. I worry that the fear and dread of the isolation will break the spirit of many of us who are affected by this isolation.

The unpredictability of the virus has us all in fear and dreading if we open up too soon, we could cause people to be infected or even worse, die from the disease. Can we adapt to a different way to be the church and serve those in need? Can we adapt to a different way to commune with each other? How can replace the sharing of the peace in a more safe way to show Christ’s love and peace with each other?

The virus may be unpredictable. The love of our neighbor may be unpredictable. The church in the future may be unpredictable. What is predictable is God who is with us and supporting us through these hard times.

We have someone to lean on to help lift our spirits above all that we are experiencing. We have God who showers us with his love and his mercy. With that knowledge, we are comforted through our sorrow, through our pain, and through our fears of what will be next!