Grace and peace, dear one.
We don't know what church and society will look like once this COVID-19 pandemic is over but we can be assured that God will be with us. Talking with my friend Rev. Steve Murray from The Rock Church recently, he mentioned that we do the church a disservice if we think that this crisis has simply pressed the pause button on our ministry, from which we can soon press play and continue along as though nothing had happened. Life will be radically different. Ministry will be different and we must adapt to survive. Other articles I've read have talked about the possibilities that exist in the blank slate that we'll have before us.
I invite you to vision with me what sort of church we want to be going forward. What things might have been winding down that we can let go of? What new things have energy and vision around them? What needs exist in our community that we have the gifts to meet?
This doesn't have to be a time of anxiety, worrying about what's next. It can be a time of wonder, curiosity and excitement about what resurrection brings. Paul writes,
1 Corinthians 15:38 MSG You could never guess what a tomato would look like by looking at a tomato seed. What we plant in the soil and what grows out of it don't look anything alike. The dead body that we bury in the ground and the resurrection body that comes from it will be dramatically different.
It can also be a time of strengthening our faith, drawing nearer to God and acknowledging our own belovedness. John writes,
1 John 3:1-3 KJV Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Let's trust in God together, knowing that as Christ has been revealed in resurrection, and continues to be revealed each day to us, that marvelous things are ahead for Wesley. Let's wonder aloud and vision together for a future full of Easter hope!
Blessings,
Rev. Cheryl L. Meachen
Find daily inspiration from Pastor Cheryl at Beloved Connection.
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