A message of Hope

Grace to you and peace from God our Creator , and from our Lord and Savior Jesus who is the Christ;

I hope this finds you well and in good cheer. We are certainly living in unprecedented times. Often times when we are unsure about things, it can cause anxiety. But I want you to know that you are a part of a church family who loves you. I’m reminded of the passage from Jeremiah:

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.” -Jeremiah 29:11-12

Have you heard this passage before? The prophet Jeremiah is writing to the people of Judah. They have been taken away from Jerusalem and are living in exile in Babylon. These people have lost hope because they aren’t allowed back in their homes! Today, as I scroll through Facebook and read email, I am encountering people who are struggling for exactly the opposite reason: they aren’t allowed out of their homes!

Perhaps these two feelings are opposite sides of the same coin. The feelings are remarkably similar in that our daily lives and freedom have been disrupted. The advice that Jeremiah gives just prior to the passage above is: life doesn’t stop just because you’re in exile. He tells them to do their best to live their life to the fullest in spite of the restrictions. This is good advice for us today.

A common refrain that I hear, and have said myself, is: “I can hardly wait till this is over!” Perhaps it is folly to see these days as disposable, to say the future is more important than today. Through Jeremiah, God is telling each person: live your life today, and enjoy the day that you have been given. I might ask myself: Is this exactly how I want to be living today? But maybe that is not the right question to be asking. Perhaps I should say, “What am I going to make of the day that I’ve been to be given?” Yes, I think it’s okay to be sad that life isn’t everything you want it to be right now; but is it also possible, in the midst of sadness, for us to be grateful for this blessed day?

If you are struggling and need a prayer you can rely on your church, Holy Cross. Please call and leave a message or email me directly.

Please know that you are not alone, and that you are in our prayers even before you ask. Please know also that we are all loved by our heavenly Father who encourages us and gives us strength.

Your brother in Christ,

Ytsur Rotsap