Psalm 30 •
Deuteronomy 7:17-26 • Titus 3:1-15 •
John 1:43-51
“Do not be terrified by
them for the Lord your God who is among you is a great and awesome God.”
(Deuteronomy 7:21)
In today’s world there is much to be terrified
by. War and the horrific acts of terrorism; the kidnapping and murder of
innocent journalists and aid workers; violence in our streets directly
involving those who are meant to serve and protect; death and despair along our
borders; sexual violence and death among our bright young college students, and
more. How do we handle the intensity of all of this? What future does this
leave for our children and grandchildren?
Yet in the scriptures we find hope
and the beginning of an answer.
The psalmist sings God’s praises for
being “lifted out of the depths.” In the readings we are assured that God is
among us and that our enemies will be destroyed. We are told that we are saved
through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit and we are called
to do good; to be peaceable and gentle toward one another.
It is challenging and difficult to
not give in to our fears, to be peaceable and gentle, to have hope.
Jesus finds Philip and says “follow
me” and Philip does. Philip finds Nathanel and says “come and see.” If we, like
Philip and Nathanel, can “come and see.” follow Jesus, and have faith then in
spite of all that there is to be terrified about, we will see great things and
hope shall remain alive and well in our world.
Terrified Sitting
with fear
Nowhere to turn Waiting for God
No coming out of Letting go—God is
among us
Despair and pain Opening
ourselves to faith
Where is our God? Following Jesus
The God of our youth Washed in the Holy
Spirit
With a belief in
goodness? A belief in
Hope.
—Anne Cressin
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