Gather around, everyone.

Come and draw deep from the wells of wisdom that exist around us.

This is not a time to be alone.  This is not a season for isolation.

We need one another – we need each other’s perceptiveness and insight, courage and indignation. 

Just as the ancients used to gather in the village square to draw water from the community well, we also need to come together to feed our spirits and allow our parched spirits to be nourished. 

In an earlier blog, I asked the question – what words or phrases offer you encouragement in these challenging times?

Let’s listen to some responses…

Drew: [God said to Joshua] “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; Be not afraid; Neither be thou dismayed; For the LORD thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1: 9 KJV)

Mark: “For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

Roger: “Whatever you do in life will be insignificant, but it is important that you do it, because nobody else will” (Mahatma Gandhi).

Tom’s email signature proclaims, “Work for justice.”

Suzanne:  “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139: 13-14). These words help me to remember that God created me to be the way I am, with gifts and challenges, and that all of them are there for good. 

Jill: “All will be well” (A quote from Sister Julienne/Call the Midwife, PBS) 

Julian of Norwich; (a 14th century nun whom Sister Julienne from the TV show is likely quoting): Even in the presence of sin, “all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”

Pastor John’s email encourages, “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days….”

Would you like more encouragement?  Sign up to receive a daily Scripture verse and inspirational quote at  Sojourners 

We need these words.

We need each other.  Now is the time to gather together, to offer one another encouragement and the reminder that we are not alone. Join a church. Find a community where you feel safe. Be with people who celebrate who you are.  Volunteer with folks who are making a difference.

Come together online or – even better – gather in person. Break bread together. 

Share words of power and proclamation so we can resist the evil and indifference that is being thrust upon us. 

This is a marathon, not a sprint. We will need sustenance for this journey.

Gather around, everyone.  Let’s open our minds and hearts so our spirits can be renewed.

And then –  let’s work together for justice.