God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
Come, behold the works of the Lord;
see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
‘Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.’
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
— Psalm 46:1-3, 8-11 (NRSV)
Many of us are frustrated today. We want to know results and they are slow in coming. Where there are results we don’t understand why things didn’t go our way, or the way we thought they would. This might be true of politics, but it just as easily be about COVID-19, or the economy, or our spiritual lives.
We aren’t sure what to do in these times. Sometimes we are paralyzed and just watch the same stories over and over. At other times we focus on things we feel we can control and district ourselves with busy, ultimately meaningless repetition.
I encourage you to pull back a bit, to pause and to reflect. When you do so, you might be able to get the big picture. This is the invitation of the psalmist. Be still for a moment, and remember both who you are and who God is. Then you find refreshment of your spirit and will be able to act in meaningful, effective ways.
This leads us to act in faith, even when we don’t know everything. Indeed, the author of the letter to the Hebrews writes, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1, NIV)
Right now, your church Committee on Finance are working on a budget for the year of our Lord 2021. We don’t know exactly what giving will be like in the coming year. We do have a good idea that the congregation will be faithful and generous, because you always have been! We want to be ready to be in ministry from day one; literally the first day of the new year. So we are stepping out in faith.
We invite you to step out in faith as well. We invite you to be still for a moment, and know that God is with you. With all of the changes and restrictions of this year, God has been a rock and a relief. Through God-given courage and imagination, the church of Jesus, and the expression of that known as Community UMC of Huntington Beach has been able to adapt and to remain present for you.
We don’t know what challenges and opportunities the new year will bring. We DO know that we will be here for you and with you. Join us as together we revive!
Pastor George
We cast our anxiety upon you, O God, revive us again! Help us to step out into the unknown in faith. Keep the other always in our mind and cause us to be kind and caring, following the example of our friend, Jesus. Amen.