Community News – 10-02-2024
Community –
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of life, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair” (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities).
Have you ever felt this way about a season in life? I think it pretty much sums up the last few weeks for me. There have been some truly heavy, hard, even painful moments.
Our community has experienced pain, confusion, and despair after a pair of local high school students committed suicide. It’s hard to process this news as an adult, and even harder to see your own kids feeling overwhelmed and helpless to understand. We’ve seen beloved members of our church community pass away, announce a life-changing diagnosis, move, or otherwise decide to leave the church. Turn on the TV, and we’re immediately reminded that the endless barrage of violence in the Middle East and Ukraine is only intensifying. It can be hard to find much reason for hope in days like these.
As followers of Jesus, we mourn, we grieve, we hurt… but we’re also aware that God is not far from us in these heavy seasons. King David reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Ps.34:18). Jesus teaches us, “My Father is always at work” (John 5:17). In these heavy days, when the presence of God isn’t obvious to us, perhaps God is teaching us to search for Him, inviting us to pray, “Lord, show me where your Spirit is at work near me.” As we pray – and look – I believe that we begin to develop an awareness of hope. It may start small (a word of comfort or an act of kindness), but we begin to see more and more of it. Hope multiplies. The presence of God becomes more and more evident.
I put this idea to the test just this week. When despair reared its head, I prayed. God reminded me that our Prayer Huddle groups have begun praying together this week – folks are coming together to actively and purposely seeking Him on behalf of our church. I’m reminded of profound spiritual conversations this week: a young woman who is new to our church and taking a courageous step towards obedience; a gentleman at Community who is seeking to follow Jesus’ call to make disciples by intentionally connect with others at his workplace; a neighbor who is unchurched but spiritually hungry, asking about everything from heaven to marriage to church history. God reminded me of new young adults at Community – many beginning to serve and lead in exciting new ways!
When hope seems hard, God says, keep your eyes on me: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength” (Is. 40:31). Whatever you’re going through… keep going. Don’t give up. Look for His presence… and hope will follow.
With Joy –
Pastor Brett