October 25, 2020
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O God, you are my God, I seek you,
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands and call on your name. – Psalm 63:1-4
When the world is lost, we are called to remember who rules the world.
When the world is fearful, we are called to remember who rules the world.
When the world is seeking direction, we are called to remember the director of the stars.
When the world is on its knees, we are called to rise up and go to the arms of a loving savior.
As this difficult and unusual year continues on, we need to be reminded that God is still in control, even when we don’t think God is, but I do believe God is lead us to the place of His power and glory. I do believe we have reason to celebrate and rejoice. I do believe we can gather whether online or in person and find the strength to encourage one another that God is still in control.
Recently, I heard a song from several years ago for the first time in a while, it is written and sung by the soulful Andra Day, entitled “Rise Up” As I listened again, I am reminded of the psalmists and the saints of God who have reminded us to keep our eyes looking upward, knowing that there is something bigger and greater in store as we keep pressing on longing for God as if in a dry and weary land. I hope you will take the opportunity to listen to that song if you are able, but if not, here are just a few of the lyrics:
You're broken down and tired / Of living life on a merry go round
And you can't find the fighter / But I see it in you so we gonna walk it out
And move mountains / We gonna walk it out / And move mountains
And I'll rise up / I'll rise like the day / I'll rise up / I'll rise unafraid
I'll rise up /And I'll do it a thousand times again
And I'll rise up / High like the waves / I'll rise up / In spite of the ache
I'll rise up / And I'll do it a thousand times again / For you
To me, this speaks, beautifully, reminding us of our call to rise up and follow Christ. It speaks of the hardships that may be in our way, but for Christ, for the glory of the coming kingdom, the sanctuary of the presence of God, we can do it. We can rise again and again, to bring Christ to those who need him most. May we strive for more of God, more strength of God, and more of God’s holy presence in our lives now and forever. Amen.
Grace & Peace,
Sam