When will this ever end? I'm beginning to feel a bit less disoriented, but it's still there. So, if you're feeling the same way, you're not alone!
In all the reading I do every week, mainly for sermon preparation, I have found that the editor of
The Presbyterian Outlook,
Jill Duffield, reflects best the things so many of us are feeling and experiencing. The following is a quote from her lectionary commentary for May 3, Good Shepherd Sunday, which sums it up well at the moment.
"
In recent weeks, as this pandemic persists and our stay-at-home orders remain, I find that no matter how much I sleep, I feel exhausted. I begin to look at my work and wonder: Is it worthwhile? Is it enough? Should I do something more or different or better? I start fretting about all I am not doing for the world. Shouldn't I volunteer more or give more or agitate more? I ruminate over what lessons this new reality should be teaching me. What reality is being revealed that I ought to see and embrace or notice and attempt to change? Which headline should I read or ignore? Which advice is prudent or fake? Which leader trustworthy or self-serving? Is there a pundit or guru or expert or consultant who knows what's next? I've seen that list of "questions you should be thinking about," but I've yet to see the list of answers that goes along with it... I feel instead as if I am walking around in circles with no clear sense of where I am supposed to go."
So, again, you and I are not alone. But, as always, there's hope! I'll be sharing her "good news" from the end of her article in my May 3 sermon, "Following the Shepherd's Voice".
"While I grieve that we cannot break bread together in the sanctuary or around those plastic tables in the fellowship hall,
I rejoice that nothing will stop our worship, our prayers, the communion of the saints.
Easter would not, could not be stopped and the risen Christ will not remain in the graveyard or be prevented from coming to us through locked doors or during stay-at-home orders.
The Good Shepherd stops at nothing to provide for the sheep.
The halting hymns sung in my living room do not soar like the alleluia chorus of our church choir, but they are heartfelt. Singing them, and knowing others are singing them too, hones my ability to hear Jesus calling my name, leading me out to serve and bringing me home to rest."
So many of us are now getting quite familiar with zoom (and yes, there is some zoom fatigue), but I am so appreciative for all those who are connecting with the Adult Church School class on Sundays at 9:30 am. You are invited to join us as we share our journeys of faith during these times.
And thank you for your patience, encouragement, and affirmations as we continue to figure out how to do virtual worship. And as they say, thanks for watching. :-)
Prepare for virtual Communion on Sunday, May 3.
Special blessings during these strange days,
Rev. Todd
