Keeping Calm while the World is in Crisis

“If you sit down, you will not be afraid;
      when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden panic,
      or of the storm that strikes the wicked;
for the Lord will be your confidence
      and will keep your foot from being caught.”   

                            Proverbs 3:24-26

 Dear calm, peace filled St. Markians:

            Stay inside, historic deadly polar vortex has hit…

                            2018 becomes the 4th warmest year on record…

                   Half the country will be crippled by pending winter storm…

                        Three different headlines amongst thousands of headlines that warn of the “impending emergency”, the “ravaging destruction”, the “shocking upheaval”.  If you didn’t know it already, the world thinks your life is barely hanging by a thread. Everything is now turned into a crisis, at least that is what we seem to be inundated with by news articles, internet pages, twitter buzzes. Nothing happens as ordinary news anymore, everything is a matter of imminent danger. No wonder there are many people living with anxiety, high stress or the feelings of uncontrollability. The world teaches us that everything is a calamity, a threat, a danger, a trauma just waiting to overwhelm you.

                        But the wonderful good news of God is that just as the proverbs state, we know that no matter whatever the panic, or storm, or looming threat we are always in the care and protection of our Lord. Our loving Father promises us forgiveness, redemption and life through grace and mercy. St. Matthew records that Jesus himself, tells us not to worry about our life, instead strive first for the kingdom of God. This gift of God’s redemption is what is lasting. This is what is essential. This is what is of critical importance before all those things the world of today considers vital.

                        Our Lenten Journey begins on March 6th, Ash Wednesday, a day set apart to remember that all the things of this world; worries, fears, possessions, even our bodies themselves are not lasting. At worship that night, as we are marked with the cross and hear the words of Genesis 3, “we are dust and to dust we shall return”, we realize once again that only in God should we seek hope and trust.

                        May this Lenten season bring you a peace of mind, to turn from the worries that the world teaches and preaches as importance, and instead be comforted in the Words of God that are everlasting. This Lent may you turn and seek first the kingdom of God.

                                                                                                            In the peace and grace of God,

                                                                                                                                                Pastor Kirk Griffin