“O, give thanks to the LORD for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever” says Psalm 136:1. And, throughout the whole psalm, the same refrain continues, as if somehow, we would forget…
“For his steadfast love endures forever!”
When I was a girl, my Dad’s work for the Navy took us to Berlin, Germany. It was a divided city, with sectors and check points between either side: British, French, Russian, and United States sectors. We were Allies who fought together against the Nazis in World War II. But by then, it was the Cold War.
As you read this, it is May Day. It’s a day we welcome with joy as Spring comes fully into its beauty and the wonder of God’s life-giving love seems to bloom all around us. Yet, my recollection of May Day from my youth in Berlin is of power and might on display with Russian cannons, tanks, and ranks of soldiers parading through the streets. Even as kids, we were always afraid that the power would change and shift the relationship of ally to something else. Rations and water were stored in the basement of our apartment complex. There was quiet instead of chatter and laughter in the school cafeteria.
Friends, many are afraid today, too. Of change. Of the unknown. Of the anger bubbling up in them unbidden. Of hubris and arrogance and disregard for compassion, justice, and the righteousness of God for others and us. Of getting a new pastor. Of having enough to meet needs let alone wants. Of the future. Of loss of what we thought we knew we could rely on.
Multiple times in Scripture, we are told not to be afraid of any of these things. Why? Because it is the God of gods, Lord of lords, Lord God Almighty, who alone does great wonders; who by his understanding made the heavens; who spread the earth on the waters; who made the great lights of the sun, moon, and stars; who remembered us in our low estate; and who rescues us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever, says the psalm writer of Psalm 136.
On Sunday, May 4, we’ll begin a prayer journey through three Prayer Guides to give us collective strength and wisdom for the path we will walk together as God’s church. We are preparing. We are ready to represent Jesus’ Way — in all times—good, fearsome, bittersweet, difficult, pregnant, and promise. The first guide is entitled: Loving in the Midst of Change. Do you hear the echo?
Do not be afraid. Jesus has rescued and reconciled us to Godself by his death and redeemed us to live in Love’s resurrection power in Christ Jesus. God is with us and his Spirit is alive in us, “for his steadfast love endures forever.”
We are Easter people. Amen.
Blessings in Eastertide,
Barb Julian, Lay Leader
