Hello, St. Matt’s Family!
I hope you have enjoyed hearing the stories of some of your fellow parishioners, and that they have resonated with you. I personally really appreciate learning about people’s spiritual journeys, and how different they all are. But each of these had a common thread: trusting in our Lord.
Ingathering is a little earlier than usual this year, and I’ve been thinking that it’s not the best timing. We’re living in an uncertain time, to put it mildly. Most of us don’t know what our financial situation will look like next year – we don’t even know who’s going to be leading our country. I think it’s pretty safe to say that most of us are feeling more than a little bit of anxiety about what 2025 is going to look like.
But as I’ve reflected and prayed on it over the past few weeks, it occurred to me that perhaps it is the PERFECT timing. Because despite the uncertainty of our world, there are a few truths that are absolutely – and perpetually – certain. God is GOOD. God is GRACIOUS. And God is GENEROUS. We may not know who will be ruling our country in just a few days, but we DO know who rules the world. And that knowledge brings me comfort. We are called to TRUST in God’s perfect provision, and the BEST time to lean in and trust is when things seem topsy-turvy and uncertain.
Four years ago this week, just days before the last presidential election, I was studying Genesis. We had just met Abram, who God called out of a very comfortable life to follow Him into an uncertain future in the wilderness. One of my Bible study prompts that week was, “What scary wilderness is God calling you to, and how are you responding like Abram?” That question hit me hard, as I was waiting to learn if I had breast cancer. But God was gracious enough to prepare my heart for the news I’d receive the following week, because it put me into the right mindset to respond like Abram. Truthfully, I wouldn’t have been intentional about doing so if I hadn’t been in exactly that study, at that exact time. God’s perfect timing and provision, for sure.
And just like He carried Abram and his descendants through their wilderness, He carried me through mine. I will tell you, it was infinitely easier to withstand the trials being confident that God had my back. I won’t bore you by listing all the countless examples of His perfect provision and faithfulness through that time, but I’ll fast forward to the end of my 17 months of treatment.
We were wrapping up our Bible study of Habakkuk, and I was astounded by his faith in his Lord. He was a prophet during a terrible time, and after lamenting a bit, he landed in the perfect place. His attitude is one which I try to emulate. In 3:17-18, Habakkuk declares,
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my savior.” He’s saying, no matter how bad things are now, he will remember God’s past faithfulness and rejoice in it.
Think about that. What would it look like if everyone responded with that attitude during their most scary times, instead of fear or anger? I can tell you that for me personally, it is MUCH easier to trust in God’s faithfulness having had to walk in the wilderness for a bit.
And Habakkuk knew about all those times when God proved His faithfulness to His people over the course of many generations. So he could draw on that knowledge and be confident in his trust that God would continue to do so. Habakkuk learned, as I did, that walking in faith and trust brings not only comfort and joy, but also a blessed relief.
This should encourage all of us to fret just a little bit less about making a commitment of ANY of our spiritual gifts, during these uncertain times. Because again, those three certain truths – God is GOOD, God is GRACIOUS, and God is GENEROUS. And one more certain truth about us – we need to feel God’s love, presence, and faithfulness. One of the best ways for that to happen is to be in community with each other. We all benefit – individually, as a faith family, and as a community.
Just like Habakkuk’s confidence was bolstered by knowing the stories of God’s faithfulness to those who preceded him, I hope that hearing some of our St. Matt’s family share their stories about God’s faithfulness has bolstered your own confidence and prompted you to reflect on the times when God has been faithful to you. And, perhaps, to share your own stories with others.
And as for wandering around in the wilderness? It’s only scary when you try to navigate it alone. Abram was never alone, for God was guiding him, and he was accompanied by family. I was never alone, because Jesus was beside me, and I was accompanied by all of you. Of all the gifts God gives us, one of the most precious is a huge family of fellow believers – past and present. We are all the hands and feet of Jesus for each other.
How blessed are we?
Walk in love, my friends.
Terri Hurst, Stewardship Chair