FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART OP-ED BY DR. ROBERT KENNEDY
I do not know that you can appreciate my confessional, but I admit that, like many individuals, my wife and I miss the opportunity to sing Handel’s Messiah with various groups and also a mass choir led by one of our very special friends this year. We missed last Christmas, also, as the pandemic had put us all in isolation and social distancing.
Over the last two years of the pandemic, we have learned much about how to cope. But we had hoped that by now, we could have gotten back together in (some usual) physical space to sing our songs of praise. But, unfortunately, this is not about to happen with the new wave of the variant. And while we have listened to the Messiah and other Christmas songs being played in the shopping malls, and on our iPod, on radio, and other devices, and even watched several Zoom concerts, I have to admit, it is not the same as being in a physical space with other singers and presenters.
Since the pandemic, my wife, a very good story writer, is using her gift more and more, and has found ways of getting our church members to do their Christmas story presentations on our Zoom worship platform. But, again, on my part, it is not the same as being together in physical space. I hope this confession does not seem like I am complaining because although I miss all of the Christmas worship, cantatas, concerts and other gatherings in public space, I am still rejoicing that my wife and I have been able to sing together in our family worship, and when we meet on Zoom at church, we listen to groups or soloists singing. And when we visit our friends and family who are vaccinated, we can sing together, though still observing social distancing.
Over the last two years, more than any, I (and my wife) have learned, in a new way, what it means to say in whatever circumstances we are, we give the Lord some praise. We do not know all of the details concerning the writing of the letter to the church members in Thessalonica by the apostle Paul. Most commentators argue that the church members were facing persecution and were struggling because many around them were dying. And that the apostle was being slandered and lied upon, as people said he used guile and flattery to gain converts to the church.
Yes, not all of the details are clear, but the apostle gave the powerful instruction, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Can you believe it? Instead of complaining, the apostle gave the instructions to rejoice, give thanks, and pray? He gave the instruction because he was convinced that God was at work on behalf of his people (cf. Romans 8:28). Furthermore, he was sure that amidst the darkness, that God was going to work things out. Wow! What confidence?
I think I have said enough about the apostle Paul and the Thessalonians to help you as a reader to ask yourself how are you going to spend the rest of this season.
Are you going to:
· Worry? Worry does not help. Why worry when you can pray?
· Fret? Fretting will make you depressed. Holding on to faith is better.
· Complain? Complaining is sickening. Take courage, instead.
Yes, let me encourage you to PRAISE THE LORD! You might not be a singer but PRAISE THE LORD ANYHOW. Get in the shower and sing a song of praise:
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Worthy is the Lamb. Worthy is the Lamb. Worthy is the Lamb.
Glory to God. Glory to God. Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace and goodwill to all humanity.
Write your own words. Make up your own tune, if you can. Just sing. Say a thanksgiving to God. Do something nice to someone. Tell any you meet about Jesus. Leave the shower with a tune on your heart. In all circumstances, give God some praise.
