Every Monday morning (long before the current pandemic) our District Superintendent has sent the pastors an email full of encouragement. As we work our way through the current time, I thought I’d share her encouragement with you from today:
Good Monday Morning!
“In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me, take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.” (Psalm 31:1-5 NRSV)We know that life brings its struggles. We know there are times when we face life with more questions than answers…where we, like the psalmist, “seek refuge…seek not to be put to shame…seek a strong fortress to save us”. And then…God’s faithfulness and love break through and we are reminded anew that, “indeed, O Lord, you ARE our rock…you ARE our fortress…you ARE our refuge. And, we can commit our lives, our futures, our everything into the care of our faithful God…who is with us every moment…with every breath…holding us close in His steadfast love.“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24 NRSV)God’s faithfulness…God’s amazing grace and love…strengthen us…empower us to “keep on keeping on”…even when there are more questions than answers.“God sent his Son, they called him Jesus; he came to love, heal, and forgive; he lived and died to buy my pardon, an empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives. Because he lives, I can face tomorrow; because he lives, all fear is gone; because I know he holds the future, and life is worth the living just because he lives.” (“Because He Lives”, #364, UM Hymnal)“Be strong…take courage…wait for the Lord.”I am praying for you!Linda—
Reverend Linda L. TaylorSound District Superintendent