The Pastor's Corner - A Message from Pastor Ross

“Life in the Midst …”
We are in the midst … of what we are not entirely sure. 
We are in the midst of chaos!  Nothing is as we planned it to be at this point in history.  In the words of Cleopas (from the Luke story of the walk to Emmaus), “We had hoped…”  There were grand plans for proms, sports, graduations and their parties, weddings, vacations, travel … the list is endless.  Even going to church and normal everyday activities are completely disrupted. 
We are in the midst …
We are also in the midst of Christ’s glorious resurrection!  I loved the way one post put it, “Easter Services may be canceled, but resurrection isn’t.  Jesus still rose from the grave.” 
What does it look like to be a resurrection people in the time of this pandemic?  If Jesus can conquer the grave, he can conquer COVID-19.  What that will look like?   We don’t know.  But we do know that the God who is the same yesterday, today and forever will be standing with us.
All this reminds me of Paul and his ‘thorn in the flesh.’  In 2 Corinthians 12 Paul describes both his amazing visions and revelations as well as his thorn.  Do you think we can relate to his situation?  He says, “Three times I appealed to the Lord, that it would leave me.”  How many times have we asked God to eradicate this virus?!  What God said to Paul put things truly into perspective.  “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 
How I apply this to our situation today is not to glorify the suffering, or to quit praying for God to bring about a cure, but to recognize that God is with us through the suffering and anxiety and fear.  We will walk completely through this valley with our God and find new life on the other side.  We can be stronger on the other side of this virus as we walk with God.  We can be more aware of the amazing blessings of everyday as we walk with God.  We can overcome fear and anxiety as we walk with God.  Resurrection is happening all around us.  God is inviting resurrection in the midst.
I am reminded again of that amazing proclamation of Paul in Philippians 4:!3 – “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  This is what a resurrection people in the midst of a pandemic will look like.  Will we always feel confident and sure of outcomes? No! But like Paul we can know that God’s grace will be enough, and that we will be able to endure through Christ who strengthens us. 
Continue to be in prayer for those most affected by this pandemic.  Continue to dwell in hope.  Continue in your love and concern for others.  Continue to look for God’s blessings in every day.  Resurrection happens, and you and I will witness one of the greatest resurrections of humankind in recent history.  We will be brought back from exile, and in some way, we don’t yet know, life will be better because we relied on the God of resurrection. 
Hope and Blessings,