Eye of the Storm

As Pastor at Grace of Christ, I find myself at a loss for words.  Shocking, I know.  So, perhaps let me borrow from a familiar song.  We just listened to it in our Men’s Prayer time last week.  You may or may not know it.  It’s called “Eye of the Storm”.  As we were sharing and praying last week, we became aware of the current “storm” we are in, and yet we trust and believe that God is in control.  He is on His throne.  He is Sovereign.  He is with us in the middle of chaos and uncertainty.  Some may wonder where God is at this time.  Even Christ, while on the cross, taking the fullness of our sin’s punishment upon Himself, cried out: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  Being fully human, Jesus felt the distance from God, due to our sins.  Yet, being fully God, we also know that God never left Him.  He and God were one on the cross.

As followers of Christ, it is alright to be afraid, to wonder where God is during your own personal struggles and battles.  But, in the end, we surrender our fears to God, for He alone can carry them.  The storms may continue, but there is a peace and a comfort and a hope that is ours in the midst of it, because of Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God is with us.

Many around us may not be experiencing the peace of God in the midst of the storm.  Their fears may be overwhelming, and they are perhaps saying and doing things that even surprise them during this time.  As a Church we need to truly be Drops of Grace.  We may not agree with their behavior.  We may be hurt or offended by their behavior.  God is our shield and our protector.  As Jesus bore our sins upon Himself, may we receive and even carry the pain and suffering of others, not to weight us down, but to lovingly respond with the Grace of Christ.  May we comfort others with the comfort God has given to us.

Because of Christ, and in His Grace,
Pastor Bill