Seasons of Pandemic and Lent
This message was delivered to the Beacon District Clergy at their gathering on
Zoom on Saturday, February 27, 2021.
Please read Psalm 22:23-31 and Mark 8:27-29 before reading this message.
In a season of pandemic, in a season of Lent, it is challenging to say the least to stay in a positive frame of mind. But time and time again I find myself in a place of utter awe as I consider the sacrifice that Christ made for me that I might have fullness of life.
My prayers for you ache with a compassion for you as you give leadership to our churches during this time. Your relentless, perseverance in faithfully serving your people and witnessing to them of our Great God who…
Does not despise nor abhor the affliction of the afflicted;
Nor has He hidden His face from Us;
But when WE cried to God, God heard. – Psalm 22:24
Our time together is so important in supporting our good health together. Although we cannot be together in person, we are together in our ministry through the Lord Jesus Christ. Our connections each and every day in ministry through Christ, connects us to a worldwide connection of solidarity under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Our strength does not come from each other. Our strength comes from Christ Jesus our Lord, who connects us together as a body of believers in service to the most High God. We are not alone.
WE are building testimonies. The stories told on our days will live on beyond us. They will be told to generations who follow us, who will draw strength from our witness that will embolden their witness. Just as these words were read from the scriptures today, I believe that you were emboldened in your witness. The words of the Psalmist call us to remember who we serve. They remind us of the goodness and faithfulness of our God. They point to the promises of God that are fulfilled time and again. They remind us of the one in whom we have placed our HOPE.
27 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” – Mark 8:27-29
Down through the ages, in the midst of a pandemic, in the season of Lent, Peter’s confession resounds within me. I hear God Speaking as I read the Psalmist words today. My heart is encouraged as that word reveals to me a witness of God’s faithfulness. I bemoan my shortcomings that allow the despair of this time to overtake me. I cry out to the Almighty God “how long O, God.” I embrace this season of Lent with repentance and somber contemplation of the spiritual state of myself and those to whom I have been given care. And I hear Jesus asks again today. Who do you say that I am? Only because of the WORD having been revealed to me, am I able to join the company of many Peters through all of time as I answer “You are the Messiah.” I will trust in you may Savior. You alone are my hope and shield. May God continually add to our strength so that our witness might continue forever. Amen.
If you would like to view past editions of A Moment with Gil, follow this link: https://beacondistrictnc.org/category/from-the-ds/