Storms

Max Lucado writes a devotional for Acts 16:25.
“About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs to God as the other prisoners listened.”

Great acts of faith are seldom born out of calm calculation. It wasn’t logic that caused Moses to raise his staff on the bank of the Red Sea. It wasn’t medical research that convinced Naaman to dip 7 times in the river. It wasn’t common sense that caused Paul to abandon the Law and embrace grace. And it wasn’t a confident committee that prayed in a small room in Jerusalem for Peter’s release from prison. It was a fearful, desperate, band of backed-into-a-corner believers. It was a church with no options. A congregation of have-nots pleading for help. And never were they stronger. At the beginning of every act of faith, there is often a seed of fear. As we begin to return to in-person worship, as we face the fear, hatred, and despair devouring our cities, we can be assured God is walking with us. Yes, we can fear, but we are not driven by fear. Consider the riots this past week. Yes, some of it was uncalled for. Yes, some of it was truly righteous. What we can see in all that we are facing is that fear can blaze like an uncontrolled wildfire and block our faith. It blocks our ability to love our neighbor. However, what we might see is that injustice is still a smoldering ember that pains a people, that fear of disease or the “other” will immobilize us. What we can see is that love and understanding and hearing the injustice can put out the ember. We can return to worship as we deem safe protecting our neighbors and our friends with physical distance and face coverings. What will you do? Will you fan the ember of your fear or will you seek to understand your fear and the fear of others, molding it into the love and presence of God? As God always says, “The choice is yours.”

Dear Lord God, Hear our prayers and our fears. Give us the strength of Silas and Paul imprisoned. Help us to understand the anger and injustice some of our neighbors’ face. Bless us with your strength and guidance in these uncertain times. Amen

We return to in person worship this Sunday. Face coverings and physical distancing will be required. Worship practices have been put in place to reduce risk of infection by COVID, but no plan is completely without risk. See you Sunday, at St Mark’s or through our webcasts.

Blessings this week, Nancy Trimble, Deacon