Dear Friends,
These are certainly challenging times. Speaking to one of our members in her 90s last week, she shared she’s never experienced anything like this. The last time our church was faced with similar circumstances was during the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1918-19.
When Jesus’ disciples sensed difficult times ahead, they asked what they should expect. He informed them that wars, famines, lawlessness, and tribulations would come. In relatively quick succession following the Ascension there was a terrible famine in Judea, two wars between Rome and Judean Jews, and persecution of Christ-followers throughout the Roman Empire.
Jesus told his disciples, “See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6 ESV). Don’t be alarmed, panicked, or troubled, the world is still a broken place and God is working through all things to establish his Kingdom and he invites us to be part of it. Stay faithful to God. Love your neighbor. Don’t let anxiety get the best of you. Trust that even in the worst circumstances nothing can separate us from God's love.
I want to encourage you to cast all your anxieties on God because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). God is going to see us through. While we’re in the midst of it, I believe he’s encouraging us to be the people of God, to reach out in love to our social networks and neighborhoods. There’s no time like the present to be a blessing to others. A text, phone call, or an offer to help can have a real impact. Faith and love focused outward makes all the difference in times like these, really, in all times.
Let’s keep connected to Christ and one another as God brings us through.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Chris