|
Message from
Pastor Brent
The Last Word...
(Editor's Note...Since Romelda departed our office, as far as weekly communications go, we have been mostly "dark." We have spent time in thought and reorganization, and now we seek through this and other evolving ways to reestablish avenues of sharing information.)
Christian faith is often reduced to and meant to be much more than a pious collection of truism, clich�', or platitude...your time and this space does not allow for example...you know what I mean. A growing faith is filled with nuance, ambiguity, even contradiction. That being said, I'm still a fan of the obvious maxims when they tell the truth in the most familiar and succinct manner...after all, that's how they became truisms! One of my favorites is "it's always darkest before the dawn." If you've ever stayed up all night, you'll know that the darkness ends in pitch blackness, ambient light absent, and then...the sun is on the rise and a new day dawns.
Perhaps this reading finds you "in the dark." Initially, we all share that plight...add up all the things we know and they are miniscule compared to what we don't know. In your mental, emotional, and spiritual journey through life you've always been able to see a little light, and apart from occasional stumbles and groping, you are headed in the right direction. But maybe now comes a time, in family or relationship, work, physically or in all the other "allys" when there seems to be no light...you're at a standstill, stuck, can't see your hand in front of your face...dead in the water and fearful of sailing on lest you go over the falls.
Remember, it's not only a truism, it's also the truth...it's always darkest before the dawn. Have courage and keep faith that this moment may just be a precursor of seeing the light...the rise of the sun and the dawn of a new day. We are just a few weeks away from once again living through the dramatic mystery and majesty of Holy Week. In all of human history, it has never gotten darker than 3 in the afternoon of a certain Good Friday...and in a matter of a few hours there has never been a more bright or beautiful morn as Easter!
That is not just Jesus' story, it can be yours as well. We shall wait and see. What we promise at Nativity is that we will wait with you...whatever your misery I hope you will love the company. And when, not if but when, you celebrate sight and light...well, that's always better done in the company of loved ones. We know God's promise of love for us is not trite...it's only right.
Peace,
Pastor Brent
|
