Bible Reading: Habukkuk 3:17-18
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Reflection
Let's play with this verse a bit. Though there is a pandemic sweeping the land. Though I cannot be in a group of more than 10 people. Though I must stay two meters distant from people in the lumberyard. Though the schools, churches, and restaurant seating areas are closed.
Though there is rampant unemployment and astronomical debt. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice in the Lord always, even when things are tough. How have I rejoiced? Well...I have phoned, emailed, Facetimed, and used other forms of communication to get in contact with friends, family, and people I have been too busy to contact in the past. I have practiced my guitar and ukulele; baked buns, desserts, and cookies; taken online Spanish classes; gone for long walks and bicycle rides; prayed, contemplated, and given more time to my daily devotions; practiced cheerful giving; and have chosen to rejoice in the Lord. In short, I have chosen Joy over despair and opted to do more of the things that make me happy. I have chosen to not read conspiracy theories, listen to catastrophic speculations, and watch negative news stories on 24/7 news channels. No, I don't have my head stuck in the sand. I stay informed and most of all, I rejoice in the Lord. I hope you will do the same.
Psalm 30:5
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
I am not a theologian, so I speak only from my own opinion and in my opinion, God is not petulant. That is to say easily perturbed and childlike. God is Love. There are times when we may feel that God is mad at us but it is usually when we are not conscious of his abundant grace and endless mercy. One definition of sin is: being separated from God. Sin is separation from God. But the separation takes place in our minds. God is always there. His will is to see us whole and living a heavenly life experiencing His peace, joy, and love. These times of despair when we feel separate last only a moment in the greater scheme of things, but God’s favour lasts a lifetime. In our lives, we will have time when we weep and go through the dark night of the soul, but rejoicing comes in the morning. My personal experience is that dark times don’t last forever. Psalm 30:5 reminds me of a study done by Dr. Martin Seligman, a well renown psychologist and expert in the area of resiliency. His research has proven that resilient people aren’t positive all the time nor are they always happy. Resilient people are the ones who have the faith that things will always get better. Thank God for that!
Bible Verse: James 1:27
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Reflections:
Long ago, I heard a sermon based on this verse. The pastor shortened the verse to “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit.” In one of my recent blog entries, I exhorted anyone who cared to read my blog to think of people who are shut ins and those who live alone during these pandemic isolation times. I live alone and I know how lonely a person can become. Fortunately, my girls call me daily to chat. I also have many dear family and friends who call me on the phone or they contact me via one of the social media formats. I should add that I go by the adage of “I have a phone too.” If I want to chat with someone, I don’t sit and wait by the phone for a call and I don’t play the game of “It’s their turn to call me. Why am I always the one who reaches out?” I pick up the phone and call for this is religion pure and undefiled: to visit.
