This past Sunday I had the privilege of preaching the first message on our new series Your Identity in Christ. In this current season of a pandemic, social unrest, and economic disruption, being reminded of who we are and who we serve matters more than ever.
The message I shared was a “back to basics” teaching on Isaiah 61 with the back half of verse 3 as the focal point.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
This morning I am going to have a cardiac ultrasound, a procedure where they look at my heart and the blood vessels around it to see if there are any blockages. With my family heart history, the doctor thought it would be worthwhile to do a “heart check.” I’m glad they are being preventative instead of waiting for a “cardiac event” to take place!
Even though they’ve probably been coached to say that by a manager, it sure felt good to be 'welcomed in' instead of feeling pushed away.
There have been so many moments in the last few months where I have been unsure of my welcome.
American advertising gives us a steady diet of advertisements that tell us to put yourself and your needs first. These catchy slogans accompanied by smart musical jingles find their way into our thinking in more ways than just tempting us to order a fast food hamburger. While the strategy to capitalize on our own innate desire to selfishly put ourselves first, it’s far from a new temptation.
I was supposed to be standing on a mountain in Ireland this week on a pilgrimage with others from Neighborhood Church. Instead I find myself preparing for a digital prayer meeting – wishing I could be in the same room with others.
It is easy to play the part of the victim in life, but that heart posture is the opposite of what God says about his people. He calls us “overcomers” and says we are “more than conquerors.” This life is filled with moments where we have to choose to live like a victim or live like a victor. We truly must make a decision to see that we have been given a place of favor (being seated with Christ in the Heavenlies, Eph. 2:6).
Pastors and spiritual leaders are not immune to any of the challenges of this season. I have personally worked hard to remain encouraged and have experienced some highs and lows. The other day after work I was so rattled that I put myself to bed and slept from 5pm-6pm. Not a normal nap time, but I needed to separate myself from others long enough to get my attitude to improve. Later in the evening I read an incredible book by Henri Nouwen "In the Name of Jesus: reflections on Christian Leadership" and it changed my whole outlook.
In this uncertain season during the interruption of our normal rhythms I have felt “invited” into the Psalms. Psalms gives us permission to feel deeply about what is happening in our lives.
The poems and songs in the book of Psalms are inspired by the Living God (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
I miss people.
I miss worshiping with hundreds of people.
I miss hugging people.
I’ve been self-quarantined for one month as of today.
There has been a mixture of grief, hopelessness and uncertainty in this season of isolation for all of us. In the midst of a roller coaster of emotions and thoughts about the future – there is also some excitement that has begun to bubble up in me.
Psalm 42:1-6 (NIV)
1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"
These days of isolation have been challenging for many of us. Our family has chosen to take the order to stay at home seriously and outside of my family I haven’t been in physical contact with anyone for almost three weeks. I can’t imagine how those who live alone and having no physical contact must be feeling in these days. I’m particularly concerned about those in our congregation who don’t have technology to be able to communicate.
A wise man once said, “What you focus on grows large in you.” There has been hyper focus in this season on statistics about this COVID-19 virus. There are special channels available to take in more news about the disease than you could possibly absorb. The information tidal wave seems to come toward us, wave after wave, with no end in sight. While it’s good to be informed on things you need to know to be safe and diligent, it’s not good to feast at the table of bad news hour after hour.