May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6
The pandemic has been brutal on everyone. People have been scared, lonely, angry, depressed, distracted, anxious, frustrated, exhausted, divided, grieved, confused, unsettled, traumatized… Need I go on? And Yes, I have felt many of these feelings, just like you.
How was I supposed to feel when my son moves five hours away for a job, and a month later, the world around locks down, and he becomes a frontline worker? All he did was work, not allowed to make friends, go to church, etc., for an entire year. The second-year was no picnic either.
How was I supposed to feel with a daughter in medical school, training to be a front-line worker? There are very few ways to avoid clinical settings in years 2 & 3, and you don’t get paid to get in harm’s way. But she also found time to get engaged!
How was I supposed to feel when I went from interacting and preaching to a few hundred people I love when suddenly I am preaching to a cold, lifeless, little black box, and all the while doing it with passion? Or not being able to be in a hospital sitting next to the gravely ill or dying? Not to mention the profound challenges of keeping a thriving, diverse Christian community together when everyone is separated physically, emotionally, philosophically, and politically.
On the flip side, how am I supposed to feel when throughout this challenging time, my bride and love of my life for over thirty years pursued not one but two Masters degrees with a combination of virtual classes and travel into a city plunging deeper into chaos? How did she travel to the Yakama Nation in Washington, conduct thesis research, write the thesis, and change jobs? Yet she did it, and today she graduates!
We’re almost there, gang. We’re starting to heal from our wounds. We’re changed forever, but we can process and move into a new normal. We can seek a more profound sense of harmony, humility, and civility with one another. We can cultivate a greater appreciation for family, friends, church family, co-workers, classmates, customers, etc.
But most importantly, may we find a greater love and closeness with the God of endurance and encouragement who provides us his passionate Spirit that binds us to his Son and one another.
Today, with one voice, let us glorify the Triune God of Grace, for he has been there for every one of our meltdowns, jubilations, and in-betweens!
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