While visiting my Mom we watched a documentary about the building of the lake. The video began by stating this was actually two stories. The story of a great government achievement to regulate the water levels of the Hudson River and control flooding and the story of the people who lost their homes and communities because their towns were now covered by the waters of the lake.
This story struck me because it is so true and repeated over and over again in our communities and our churches. Even as I write this I am reminded that in the midst of saving lives from Covid-19 people are losing their jobs, businesses and homes.
Every change creates loss. You cannot build a new home without losing you old one. The problem is that we as humans tend to discount the grief of others especially when we see the change as progress or perceive the loss as a necessary cost. Often we feel the persons affected should get over it and feel exempt from having to comfort them in their grief.
We often feel powerless because we cannot and sometimes do not want to undo their loss. But that is the reality of grief we cannot undo the loss. But God does call us to:
Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
What a different world we would live in if we truly lived like this. This is what Jesus did for us.
Philippians 2:8 He humbled himself and became obedient unto death even death on a cross.
Jesus is calling us to love one another as he has loved us. Even in the midst of a pandemic he calls us to think of others and value them and their feeling above our own. We can only do this because He has first loved us and He pours out his love into us that we can be instruments of his love.
And so as we continue in these difficult times I remind you again to “Give them Jesus.”
Pastor Mark
This story struck me because it is so true and repeated over and over again in our communities and our churches. Even as I write this I am reminded that in the midst of saving lives from Covid-19 people are losing their jobs, businesses and homes.
Every change creates loss. You cannot build a new home without losing you old one. The problem is that we as humans tend to discount the grief of others especially when we see the change as progress or perceive the loss as a necessary cost. Often we feel the persons affected should get over it and feel exempt from having to comfort them in their grief.
We often feel powerless because we cannot and sometimes do not want to undo their loss. But that is the reality of grief we cannot undo the loss. But God does call us to:
Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
What a different world we would live in if we truly lived like this. This is what Jesus did for us.
Philippians 2:8 He humbled himself and became obedient unto death even death on a cross.
Jesus is calling us to love one another as he has loved us. Even in the midst of a pandemic he calls us to think of others and value them and their feeling above our own. We can only do this because He has first loved us and He pours out his love into us that we can be instruments of his love.
And so as we continue in these difficult times I remind you again to “Give them Jesus.”
Pastor Mark
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