With the world of sports largely on hold at this time, brackets aren’t even going to be broken this year, but dreams and lives sure are!
In the middle of an overwhelming and unprecedented COVID-19-related tidal wave of cancellations nation-wide, college basketball fans like I am are wistfully remembering that today was scheduled to be the first official day of “March Madness,” the tournament to determine the NCAA men’s basketball division 1 national champion.
But there’s no “madness” this year and—based on all the other closings and abrupt endings to athletic careers, school years, proms, church programs, jobs, and a host of dreams—many of us are experiencing “March Sadness,” which is how a friend of mine has tagged the season.
Whether we’re surrounded by kids at home trying to figure out how to survive or living on our own and feeling totally shut out from the world, so many of us are having to give up so many things in such a short amount of time that we’re reeling from our losses and trying to cope with our “new normal.” And we’re getting very familiar with “sad,” the painful emotion that says, “I’ve lost something important to me, and I’ll never get it back! That hurts!”
What an incredibly difficult time this is!
Obviously we want to do everything we can to flatten the contagion curve of this deadly virus that we’re up against. Still, closing our church facility and cancelling important activities takes a toll on our spirits.
Though we don’t know yet for how long we will need to change our rhythms, as a pastor, I’m sad that we can’t meet together for our Sunday morning worship services. I’m sad that we’ve had to (at this point temporarily) cancel our Restarting Class that just got underway last week. Our men’s and women’s Bible studies, special events, student and children’s ministries have all taken the “not meeting” hit. I’m sad that nursing homes have closed their doors to visits from outsiders and I’m sad that I’m not able to see my mother or my dad-in-law.
However, on the other hand, I’m thankful that sadness is a connecting emotion, and when I pour out my losses to Jesus, I get to experience a special bond with him as he comforts me and shares his perspective on my life and my circumstances.
I’m thankful that Jesus knows what sadness feels like and, as Psalm 34:18 says, is “near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
I’m thankful that knowing him is worth the loss of everything else, as the Apostle Paul expresses so eloquently and passionately in Philippians 3:8, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
I’m thankful that nothing in all creation “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39)
I’m thankful for my church family, and that we can stay connected via the internet, email, and phone calls.
I’m thankful that the Holy Spirit, our guide and comforter, is available 24/7 to shepherd us through the challenges of these circumstances.
And I’m thankful that we can pray for each other, our neighbors, our cities, our country and our world, have God hear and respond to our pleas and give us creative ideas of how to serve those around us in need.
I’m thankful that the Lord specializes in bringing joy and good out of the biggest messes, and I’m thankful for hope even in the face of death, which is simply the doorway into his presence!
Hmmm…funny how I’m feeling better already!
See you via the internet this Sunday, as Pastor Jack preaches on the timely topic of “fear.”
Pastor Steve
PS: Here’s a letter from one of our members who is serving as an extension of us in a different part of the world. I believe her words will be encouraging to you in this challenging season!
Remember!
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I know this is a difficult time with COVID-19 being on our minds almost constantly. It has disrupted all our lives, and we can’t seem to get away from it. There is undoubtedly different degrees of confusion, fear, uncertainty, anger and a range of other emotions felt at this time. I want to tell you that you are not alone. Everyone is feeling a vast array of emotions in regards to COVID-19.
Some of you will remember when I shared with you the beginning of last year about how difficult the previous fall had been. I want take a moment to go back to that fall in 2018 with you.
People were getting kicked out and being told to leave. At that time I was feeling many of the same emotions that I believe many of you are feeling today. I wasn’t sure who I could see and who I should stay away from. Who was safe? It was on my mind constantly. “Should I risk seeing so and so?” “Is it worth the risk?” It was incredibly isolating. I had no control. It all happened so fast, and it was so unexpected. There were so many unknowns. There still are. At times, I felt angry and defiant and wanted to storm the streets not caring what the outcome would be. The fear was real, tangible, and debilitating.
Does any of this sound familiar? Does it resonate with you in any way? I know they are two vastly different situations, and yet, there are commonalities.
It took me some time to hear the Holy Spirit gently convicting me that my fear was displaced, and in the wrong place. I was fearing man, not God. Where was my trust? I can tell you, I was not trusting in God’s sovereignty. I share this so that you know you are not alone. I also want to remind you that God is good and He is faithful! In the midst of losing close friends, He brought me new sweet friendships with unexpected people and deepened previous superficial relationships. In the midst of feeling out of control, He showed me He was in control. In the midst of grief, sorrow, and pain, He gave me healing. In the midst of feeling alone, He was close. In the midst of suffering, He gave me hope. In the midst of fear, He showed me I could rely and trust in His promises. In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, He taught me to trust in His sovereignty. Through it all, He showed me His love.
I am still learning, and He continues to teach me these things every day. My desire is that my story will encourage you and bring you hope in the midst of this current trial we all face from COVID-19.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works!
Psalm 105:2
Call to Prayer
The other day I was wondering what I should be doing during this time. At the same time, I was reminiscing about times of prayer I had with people. I miss those times of coming together with my community to pray! Then I was convicted by my personal prayer life in regards to the current state of the world. So, I'm committing to intentional prayer for the people of our world, and to worship our Lord in the midst of uncertainty, every evening from 7:30-9pm until Easter. Why am I telling you?
To keep me accountable. Feel free to ask how I’m doing at any time. Seriously, ask me.
I’d love for you to join me in any way you can! Let us pray as a community. We are told to practice social distancing, but we can still unite in prayer!
“Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from COVID-19*, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Blessed be the Lord, the God of this world*, from everlasting to everlasting.”
(1 Chronicles 16: 35-36)
*The original text says: “among the nations” and “Israel”
Would you join me? Are you struggling how to pray? You are not alone. There are times I don’t know what to pray, or I struggle with saying the same thing over and over. In these times, I believe it is fine to just sit with the Lord with whatever it is heavy on your heart. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us during these times.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
(Romans 8:26-27)
If you are needing some guidance, here are some things I do during my time:
I like to start off and finish with praising God and giving thanks. This includes, but is not limited to, declaring who God is.
I sing worship songs whenever they come to mind.
I have a focus. The main focus is COVID-19, but I go more specific. Last night I focused on people who are trying to get back to their homes from different countries. I will be posting on FB what I’ll be focusing on for the evening. Remember, this is a fluid time. Even though there is a focus it is okay to follow the Spirit's leading.
I read/pray scripture.
I end my whole time with praying the Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6: 9-13).
I hope this email finds you well! Again, you are not alone!
Love,
A