August 24, 2020

I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand and I tell you, “Don’t be afraid, I will help you.” – Isaiah 41:13.

Fear grips us, and keeps us from believing we can do the hard things in life. As we have progressed through the weeks of life this year, we have had to overcome many fears, we have listened to the guidance of the experts and we have tried to take extra care in the way we have interacted with others. However, for those sending children to school this week, and for those teaching children in school this week, there is a great fear that we are learning to live with, and hoping doesn’t become a reality.

We continue to have faith that God will see us through, and offer guidance as schools resume. I’m reminded by the verse above, though that even in our fears, God is with us, and will offer us help. We might remember, as well, that Jesus’ disciples, after his death, were full of fear, but they were given a task to share the message of hope. Before they became the stained-glassed saints that we see in the windows of churches and cathedrals, they were simple people, who lived in community, and worked and raised a family. They weren’t great leaders, trained in all the theological understandings of the day. They were followers of Jesus, and because of the resurrection they had just a little more devoted hope than fear. As a result, these ordinary people, did extraordinary things, and we remember them.

Our fears are very real, they are based on something we know exists, and have seen even people we know affected by it. However, we remain hopeful in a God that can overcome fear, and overcome disease, and believe is an ever-present help in our time of need.

May God hold our hand, today, and always as seek the better days ahead.

Grace & Peace,
Sam