Good Friday Morning Everyone!
I watched the movie “A Complete Unknown” the other night. I really enjoyed it! It was one of the movies nominated for an Oscar this year (didn’t win) and is the story of the early career of Bob Dylan. I have always loved his music. Maybe one of his most famous songs is The Times They Are A-Changin’. Hidden in the lyrics is this: The battle outside ragin’ will soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. For the times they are a-changin’.
Well, y’all, I am guessing most of you would agree with me when I say there is something going on outside. Something is changing out there – call it a battle or a movement or a miracle or a disaster – call it wonderful or terrible – but something is happening in our land. Our windows are starting to rattle. And whatever it is that is happening seems to be dividing us faster than we can shake a stick at, like my daddy used to say. So….. I want to give you some peace of mind in these troubling times when people seem to be telling us we have to choose sides and be willing to give up our friends who do not agree with us. I want to remind you of the psalmist’s (probably David’s) words to us:
One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:
To live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
He will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me on a high rock.
That is from Psalm 27, which will be the text for Sunday’s service. Go read it – right now. Read it two or three times…. or more. And remember that all the talk about God hiding us and concealing us under the covers, does not mean we are supposed to close our minds and ignore it all and just let the chips fall where they may. It means speaking out. And always, always speaking out for what is good and merciful to others. And knowing that when we do, we find ourselves safe under the wings of Jesus, the mother hen.
Don’t let everything that is going on make you crazy. Instead let it remind you that you live in the house of the Lord where there is no division. Let it lead you to a dependence on the one who saves – let it lead you even closer to the beautiful sanity of the word of God. He will not let us go. Never! All is well, my friends. All is well. Please know that I am around if there is ever a time you would like to sit down and talk.
Love you all!
See you on Sunday!
Rev. Martha