On Sept 20th, we completed our Moses sermon series. We ended at Chapter 14 where the Hebrew people passed through the water – water that a Wind from God parted allowing safe passage on dry ground.
But those who know the story understand this is only chapter 14 of 40 in the book of Exodus (you just knew there would be 40 chapters in that book, right?) The people had a lot to learn before they would be ready to cross over the River Jordan into the Promised Land.
With regard to COVID-19, I sense we are in a similar place in the journey. While I am excited about our October transition plan to move gathered worship from outdoors to indoors, I feel the need to prepare the flock for a journey that will take more time to do right than many will wish it to take. We are all following schools and colleges closely as they navigate their starts and restarts. Remember, we have a 100+ children’s weekday school operating in our building right now.
COVID-19 is still very much with us – is still very much a potential deadly pathogen – is still very much requiring our continued diligence to navigate in ways to minimize risks for all.
Let us remember the “Marks of a True Christian” as outlined by Paul in Romans 12:
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Romans 12:9-13
Loving one another with mutual affection is caring for each other. We want the faith family to be together (safely) in worship. That is a shared goal by all. To do that will require us to do things differently than when we left the building. I encourage you to embrace what we do as ways to love one another with mutual affection.
I believe “how we chose to use our free will” is still the journey between deliverance and destination. Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us love each other with mutual concern as we go “on our way” back towards gathered worship indoors.
I believe the more we use our free will to focus on God and others, the shorter the journey will be between “deliverance and destination” for us all. May a Wind of God be very active in all our souls as we gracefully, diligently, and wisely walk this journey through the wilderness of life caring for each other by our actions.
God’s Peace,
