Where not our hearts burning within us?

As we have entered our 5th month of limitations on where we can go and the sorts of things we can do together, including church, this period continues to grow more difficult.  It could in part be a daily heat index above 100 degrees.  It could be the news this week that schools will look very different in the fall.  It could just be that as we were about to re-open for in person worship in some form, we had to put everything on hold again.  This certainly seems to be a season of trying to expect the unexpected.  Whatever your daily life looks like, it is probably a bit different than what we would have considered normal a few months ago.

As I worry about those in our community who have been personally affected by COVID-19, I continue to pray that God will cover us with His care and comfort.  As we hold fast to the course ahead together, I pray that God will plant in our hearts the seed of hope and encourage us to know that this will pass.  As it gets ever more difficult to provide worship for you virtually rather than seeing your smiling faces and offering you tangible relief and promise at the altar rail, I pray that God will give us all the patience needed to imagine this time as it will be in retrospect. 

I am reminded of the two followers of Jesus on the road to Emmaus after his death on the cross.  As Jesus comes to them (they are kept from recognizing him) and asks them what they are discussing as they walk along, it says in Luke 24:17 “They stood still, looking sad.” They go on to ask him if he is the only one does not know about Jesus’ death.  As they walk along, Jesus opens all of scripture to them about himself, but it is only after they reach their evening place to stay when Jesus breaks bread at the table with them that their eyes are opened and they realize that Jesus has been with them all along the way.  It is in retrospect that they say, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32). 

We are often reminded that God is most deeply connected to us in the moments when we struggle with difficulty or feel alone.  Those two on the road home to Emmaus certainly felt alone and sad.  The challenge of not knowing now what we will know is that we are still in what is happening now.  Such is the mystery of hope.  Hope is often contrary to justifiable expectation…and yet, beyond all belief we have Jesus who was raised from the dead and has decided to raise us with Him.  I mean no disrespect to our suffering and difficulty.  Hard is hard.  But I pray that God will be known to us in unexpected ways and that He will help us place our trust in God’s grace and love. 

I pray for you.  We are not alone and we belong to the One who will make all things well.  I can’t wait to share this Good News with you face to face.

We love you and God loves you.