Are you like me? Checking again and again to see how things are in Boston, in Texas, in Chicago with its flooding, in China after an earthquake. Different kinds of turmoil and sadness, loss of life, fear—all real.
Meanwhile, in Cook County, we face thick April snowstorms, with Januarytype announcements: “When traveling, have a survival kit ready-at-hand.” Our snow will melt (eventually), but the announcements helped me realize: in the “thick of life,” we need a survival kit that will help us make it through when tragedy and anxiety rise high. We need the reminder, no matter where we are or what we face, that we are not alone, God is with us.
A survival kit of words can help—can nourish souls, help us dig out of fear, remind us, despite any terror or “I’m stuck alone” impression, of God’s presence. Ready-at-hand, remembered words from Scripture are God’s gift to us to tell us, and for us to tell others, of comfort and strengthening offered by God. We don’t need to explain them or make them grander or softer than they are, just have them.
In the thick of life, remember Jesus saying “no one will snatch away from my hand what I hold” (John 10). In the thick of suffering or despair, draw on, for self and others, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want” (Psalm 23). Yes, disasters and crises come and leave us wanting security— but in God we will be led beside still waters, our trust in God restored.
A book in the Bible, Revelation, was written to specific, small Christian communities, many facing ongoing crisis and disaster from the large and seeming all powerful 1st century Roman Empire. Why have the words continued to give hope to many facing oppression, upheaval of society, natural disasters, fear of evil and evildoers? Because they disclose that while it may not appear so at a particular time, God is mightier than disaster and evil. In the midst of bombs, exploding fertilizer plants, unabated flooding and earthquakes, the words of this “survival kit” reveal the sheltering of God. We know injury and death will not be avoided; still, we are guided by Jesus to “the springs of the water of life.” We can know that whatever comes, including tearful times when tragedy weighs heavily, God stands beside and with us, NOW. God is with us, NOW.
When life is thick, smoke is thick, fear is thick—trusting God requires the Holy Spirit. We can’t do this on our own. Maybe that is the greatest component in the “when-life-is-thick” kit; God strengthens us, even in the midst of doubt, fear, uncertainty.
In Cook County, sun and snowplows will be out, melting will begin. In Boston, emergency plans worked. People listened to the strong advice to stay inside so authorities could concentrate law enforcement without traffic accidents, regular crime, fighting neighbors to worry about. In Boston, people are back on the streets, helping one another. In Chicago, flooding rises and falls; in the small town of West, Texas, and in far away China, lives have been lost, sorrow still hovers darkly; the thick of life is thick, isn’t it?
If you study history, or if you just live it, you know: life gets very thick, difficult, uncertain. It doesn’t take a natural disaster or a person who’s been pulled away from good, or a fertilizer plant placed in the middle of a town. It just takes life. Through all, we have this for our inner survival: God is with us; we aren’t alone.
Yes, when facing fear, it is hard to say “I shall not fear.” When facing evil, it is hard to say “I shall fear no evil.” So we have the “thick-of-life” words: “The throne of God will shelter… God will wipe away every tear” (Revelation 7); “No one will snatch you out of my hand” (Jesus); “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for you, O God, are with me” (Psalm 23).
Whether your morning waking means first looking out with joy at the colors of the morning sunrise, or first brings worry about news reports; whether you are anxious or returning to calm, know this: where you are, God is with you. The Risen Christ has brought us news: God’s light conquers darkness, even when we do not yet see. Hear this, people in need: Let it be written on your heart, Christ is risen, Christ is with you.
Each week a member of the Cook County Ministerium will offer Spiritual Reflections. This week our contributor is Pastor Kris Garey of Trinity Lutheran, Hovland.
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