They say it is going to rain! What a joy it would be to see and feel the refreshment of good solid rain to quench our dry earth and souls. Of course, too much in too short of a time can produce flash floods and destruction. In nature and in our own thought and effort, we have dams, drains, and flood plains to handle the occasional excess. All of this, including the floods, work to make us stronger as individuals and a people. But there can be too much. The dams can break under the stress, the ditches and flood plains overflow, and the gift of rain turns into a life-depleting affliction on the land and its’ people. Stress can make us stronger and too much can break us. We need our own strength and ability, and we need one another, most of all we need God. All of this has been brought together for us; it is called the church.

Traditionally, both concerns and joys work together in a person’s life to help us prepare for the future, for life beyond school, or for the next job or event. Yet, it can be too much. Like the dam that breaks under the strain of too much water, our spirit can weaken under the strain, and we suffer. We can be overwhelmed by concerns and fear that produce debilitating stress within our mind, body, and soul. We may even harden ourselves to the point that we have no light or love to give to the world, nor trust enough to let any in. For some, even Jesus Christ is considered a weakness as they seek to shield themselves from the world.

The last few years have certainly been a challenging time, one strained and stressed, to say the least. Some of our old methods of individual endurance and strength are not always enough. But there is an older method, proven in the test of fire, as we might say, that has been given to us from the wisdom and will of our Creator.

The gift of prayer, community, and the experience of God’s presence and love is an unbreakable constant of life. Our friends, neighbors, youth, and children have a great need to experience the power, love, and presence of God. People need our prayers, and to find and experience the love and presence of Christ our Lord. A place where we all witness God’s love in the people who surround us. It is a large part of what it means to actively be the church of Jesus Christ.

May God empower us with the will and the love to answer this call, to be the witness and active love of Christ for the children of God’s creation.

May the Grace and Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

Pastor Rick