I’ve been gardening again. As relaxing as I find it, there are days when it can be quite frustrating. Some plants require a great deal of attention, while others seem to thrive on neglect. Weeds in particular take to neglect. The crabgrass seems to do quite well, while other patches of the lawn, no matter what I do, wither and die in the summer sun. The bulbs burst forth new growth, flower, and then just as quickly die back, only to resurrect themselves when the winter storms pass.
Looking at the garden the other day I was reminded of a passage of scripture. As a child I was never required to memorize scripture passages, but there was one passage that was drilled into my mind. Frequently at Long Beach First, the Rev. Merle Bailey would read the scripture lessons. We looked forward to hearing him read for a couple of reasons: first he has a beautiful rich voice which he uses well to convey with depth and intimacy the meaning of the lesson; and second because he is a nice guy, who genuinely likes young people. And he drove a Corvette. We thought he was very cool. (He still is.) Merle always introduces the Gospel lesson by quoting Isaiah 40:8.
Merle would stand up, and we would smile because we knew what was coming. The rest of the service might seem confusing, but even we kids could be confident that we would hear the Word spoken with authority. The constancy of God’s love would be proclaimed. After a while we began to silently mouth the words as he spoke: “‘The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the Word of our God will stand forever.‘ Hear the reading of the Word.”
Those were the words which came to me standing over the withering foliage. Sometimes, no matter what I do, things change. In a world of constant upheaval and confusion, when what we know and are comfortable can be gone in a moment, we can be confident that there is one thing which lasts: The Word of God.
I’ve never asked Merle when or why he began to use that introduction. I imagine he still uses it today. I know that I was blessed as a child and as a youth by his words and constant reminder of the constancy of God’s love. I pray that in times of change you will remember the promise of God in the words of Isaiah. As you watch the tender spring shoots grow quickly and then wither in the summer heat, as the flowers droop and fade, as the hairs turn grey and the children have children of their own, remember that “the Word of our God will stand forever!” That word is Christ Jesus. That word is Love.
Author of Life, remind us that we are part of your creation. You have formed us and breathed into us your Spirit. In the changing of the seasons, and in the changing seasons of our lives, fill us with steadfast love. In the times of distress and anguish, help us to know that this, too, shall pass. Allow us to be the signs of your constant encouragement and hope. We lift this in the name of Jesus, our Savior and friend. Amen.
Pastor George