‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ Ephesians 2:10
God is good all the time. All the time God is good. You might be wondering how I can be saying this as the cases of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are on the rise. We are all feeling the burden of staying at home and not being able to be face to face with others and to move through our routines that were second nature to us. Not moving through my routines has been difficult for me because now when I am planning to go out, I have this whole conversation within. I must weigh whether it is necessary. Will I make someone else uncomfortable? How can I do this and be safe for me as well as others? Have the people that I encountered been practicing safe practices? But here is why I think God is good. These conversations that I have with myself have forced me to think about others. I am much more conscious and concerned about the well-being of the people that I will meet than I was when I was just moving through life in my normal routines.
Back in March when everything shut down and many of the children and youth ministries came to an abrupt halt, it felt like there was nothing that could be done but… God is good and with God’s power we have been able to continue to do God’s work. It is just in new and creative ways. Messy church is still meeting monthly and each month we get better at making connections and creating community. Faith Friends gathers on Zoom for some fellowship time together. At the end of this month, we will be launching our first ever Vacation Bible Camp on the Go. Some creative minds have come together to make sure that this ministry continues, and we reach our community. Every Sunday evening our youth have been gathering virtually. We connect. We discuss. We play games. Although our campus will be quiet this summer, it will not be on Zoom. All the time God is good.
But it is not just the children and youth ministries that are still alive and well. The church is caring for our community with offering showers twice a week and serving our at-risk neighbors weekly at the food closet. We share communion together in a parking lot and “see” each other at worship each Sunday. Through virtual choirs, phone calls and Bible studies we have been able to minister to each other. We are God’s handiwork and we are doing good work. With God’s creative power we have not had to come to an abrupt halt, but we have been able to recreate and find new ways to be the church. So, you see God is good all the time.
Say it with me…
God is good all the time. All the time God is good.
Creative God, we thank you for the creativity that you have blessed us with so that when we are faced with challenging times we are able to recreate and continue to do your work and share your love. Please give us strength and endurance as we continue to navigate life as it is right now. Help us to keep our eyes open so that we don’t miss an opportunity to be in ministry to and with others. Amen
Grace and peace,
Marty