Be Still and Listen for God to Speak

Friends in Faith,

I was recently chatting with my parents when my father, who is a retired Presbyterian pastor, exclaimed, "These days certainly offer a lot of material for preaching." Ain't that the truth!

Our churches have been scrambling to stay relevant in a culture that is undergoing seismic shifts. We were already in the trenches prior to the arrival of COVID-19 which has thrown all of our plans into disarray.  Worship has suddenly become virtual and who knows when we might, if ever, return to "the way things were."

To make things even more unsettled, the world has erupted into protest concerning racial injustice and police brutality. The extreme political polarity in our nation seems to be reaching a tipping point. 

And then we bear our own individual burdens—medical procedures, pink slips, loneliness.

And, oh yeah, what's to become of global warming?

here is so much to be said about each of these heavy topics. We discuss them with family and friends, and we tune into the pundits droning on across our many channels, all in hopes of making sense of it all. My sermons are a feeble attempt to offer hope in a time when we feel as though we are standing on sinking sand. It is true that there is much to be said, but I'm not sure any of us knows what to say, let alone what tomorrow may bring.

For a brief moment, the wind whistles through the leaves but then falls silent. An old song reminds us to be still . . .

Be still, my soul, the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently, the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God, to order and provide,
In every change, God faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul, thy best thy heavenly friend
Through thorny ways, leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul, thy God doth undertake
To guide the future surely as the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul, the waves and wind still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.
Be still, my soul, the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul, when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Peace be with you all.
Jesse

 

See "Be Still My Soul" Performed by the acclaimed A Capella Group Naturally 7.

 

UPDATES:

  • Sunday, June 28th—we will be having an outdoor worship service in Bethany's backyard at 10:30 a.m.

  • Sunday, July 26th—we will be having a free outdoor concert in Bethany's backyard at 6:00 p.m. with Zack Sapunor and the Tropicali Flames!

Bethany Presbyterian