A Word from the Pastor
Each day we hear continuing discussions about when we can “get back to normal.” In some places protests are taking place to demand that stay at home orders be rescinded. We all feel it. When can we return to our normal lives. When will schools resume, when can we go back to church? The tension of this “new normal” continues to weigh on all of us as we are desperate to get out of the house and back to our routine. And underlying it all is the question, where is God in all of this? Is God even listening?
The easy answer is yes, but that is not necessarily the simple question. Having these questions are not, in and of themselves, wrong, but I would point out that they are probably unique to us and our culture. You see, we are so used to getting things done and done quickly. We want results, and we want them now. We have such an array of means to getting what we want fast. We can prepare a meal in minutes with the microwave. We can find the answer to almost any question in seconds by asking “the Google.” We can fly half way around the world in hours in an airplane. We can get most any item we want in days with an order from Amazon. We have been conditioned to get what we want when we want it. It is no surprise that we are already antsy after only a few weeks of sheltering in place.
To better understand where God is in all of this only takes a moment to look back at the history of our faith. The Israeliteslived in Egypt about 430 years. Keep in mind not all of that was as slaves, but I’m sure it was long enough for some to begin to doubt God caring about their plight. The Babylonian exile was 70 years. And let’s not forget, the tribes wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. And despite God providing them with food everyday of that time, when they were about to cross over into the Promised land, there were some who still doubted.
I think we can take two lessons from this. One, it’s not unusual to doubt, and Two, we need to give God time. I can be as impatient as the next person but I just remind myself, God is still there, God still cares and God will bring us through. I miss our being together on Sundays. I miss being able to watch andlisten as you share with each other and love each other. I wish we could be together again this week, but we can’t. Even so, I know that God is at work, God is moving, and God will lead us out of this “bondage.”
Robert