The world keeps on turning. Pandemic, New Year, chaos at the capitol, and still the days go by. Standing here in 2021, we are survivors who know well the hits keep on coming. The best laid plans turn to dust and wash downstream amidst the never-ending cascade of interruptions. For a moment, we lash out at the current and the chaos. For a moment, we desperately dive into the frothing frenzy to grasp at each former plan and controlled conception to put it all back together again. Only, we find ourselves soaked, carried into unfamiliar waters, and exhausted.
What if we were never called to chase the interruptions raining down upon us?
What if we were called to raise our eyes when our preset paths became impassable? God calls us to himself amidst the storms of life. He offers divine presence, the calm in the storm. Not only does he comfort and protect, God also guides us to ways of living this present life here and now. One such way is leaning in, consuming and meditating upon the eternal Word of God. Thousands and millions of pages of spilled ink will be published about the past year, the current trend, and future prognosis. God offers to us something which transcends. He invites us to grow roots that go down deep.
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
that person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon. ~ Psalm 1:1-3
Being in the word, carves out anchors for our soul which nourish us in the living waters of life. We become fixed in our calling and flexible enough to bend when the wind blows. We reach deep into the storehouse of wisdom so that we are always relevant and yet not cut up by wild interruptions and following trends. Most importantly, we produce regular seeds for the next generation to prosper.
My prayer for us all this season is turn towards the word of God in 2021. That we may find the waters which sustain through whatever may come with roots which go down deep. And maybe, we will see how the interruptions call us to pause and remember our true callings.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.” ~ Isaiah 55:7-13
Shalom,
Pastor Joseph
