Tag: steadfast love

Say it out loud

On By fosteringyourfaithIn Faith3 Comments

The very wise Rev. Dr. Mary Luti recently encouraged congregations to consider regularly saying together what they believe. In our denomination, the United Church of Christ, it is often not a weekly practice to read a statement of faith or a creed to proclaim our shared beliefs. Mary Luti says that now may be exactly the time to declare those time-tested wise words aloud and remind ourselves of our foundational beliefs. Instead of allowing our faith to “devolve into generalized emotions and good ethical intentions”, congregations need to clearly state what they believe and then proclaim that belief with their actions. 

What is true for congregations is also true for individuals.  Listening to the news  these days is like receiving one gut punch after another. Government institutions and practices that we thought we could “always” rely on are being dismantled. In the face of a rapidly changing world, where it feels like the foundation is being eroded beneath us, it is vital for each of us to declare what is unchanging and true. 

For me, short, easy to remember statements work the best.  At those moments when despair threatens to overcome me, I rely on these brief sentences to bolster my faith and push back my fear. There are still moments when I weep in despair and frustration, but I regularly return to these ancient words of assurance. 

Now is the time to develop a list of readily accessible words to whisper or shout as we declare our refusal to give up.

Here are some of mine:

God’s steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136)

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.  (John 1:5)

God is love.  (1 John 4)

God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46)

On the surface, saying (and believing) these words solves nothing.

Terrible things still happen.  Appalling headlines still appear. 

There are powerful people who apparently don’t care about millions of people who are suffering because of their actions. 

This practice of saying out loud what I believe is for my benefit and personal wellbeing. It grounds me in a truth larger than the one in the headlines. It tells me that my identity cannot be taken away, despite outside circumstances.

Saying what I believe – reminding myself that God is a refuge in this storm – provides me a moment to pause, breathe, and gain some balance before I try to venture on.

This is a new intention for me – to daily say out loud what I believe so that I am empowered to act on that. 

Now I am curious – what words, phrases, quotes, or images help you?

Starting with gratitude

On By fosteringyourfaithIn GratitudeLeave a comment

Can I admit it?  There are days when I feel a little discouraged.  There are times when I am weary and unsure that my efforts and the dedicated work of the church are making even a dent in the myriad of challenges facing us today. There are moments when the angry voices and ugly violence that fill the news cause me to despair that we will ever experience God’s peace or come close to God’s loving justice.

The wisdom of Proverbs whispers to me, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding” (3:5). So then I resolve – again – to place my confidence in God. 

            In order to do this, I needed to remind myself of God’s presence each day. I am developing a spiritual discipline (which is just a fancy way of saying I am trying to create and maintain a new habit) of gratitude.  Now in the morning before I look at my phone, before I turn on the news, and before I look at the (online) newspaper, I jot down five things for which I am grateful. I call it my thankfulness list.

            Sometimes my gratitude reflects the weather – I am thankful to be in a warm house on a cold, rainy day. Other times, I give thanks for communications – a Facetime chat with my daughter, texts from my sons, talking with my parents on the phone. Reflecting back on a previous evening’s meeting, I give thanks for volunteers who care deeply about the church and give their time and energy to live the Good News. It is usually not hard to find five things that warm my heart and fill me gratitude. And so I give thanks to God.

            These lists do not change the bad news that’s waiting for me. But they do offer me a fresh, uplifting start to my day. They provide a life-giving perspective. They remind me that God is at work in this weary world and that I am not alone.

            These simple lists bring me back to the eternal truth, “God’s steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1). “Forever” is a long time. So no matter what I am facing on a given day, I do not go forth alone. God’s love surrounds me and for that, I am very grateful.