What is God doing Here?

There is an energy out in the world right now - it’s positive, hopeful and filled with possibility. It’s life - coming back! I just got off the phone with a musician friend and his voice was so different from our usual chats. He had stories to tell of gigs he had last week and wanted me to know he was actually leading music for a high school mini service week and was so happy. I was so happy for him. During the pandemic he lost so much work and was really struggling with what he should do to take care of his family, his career and what was it that God was opening him up for. It wasn’t an easy journey.

I love that he asked that question - what is God doing here? I ask that an awful lot and find it terrifying and exciting at the same time. Even if life was on hold during the pandemic, God was not. God was moving in the world and in us in profound ways. It’s really important that we take some time to reflect on that personally. There were moments I was afraid during the pandemic. Mostly for my children in the healthcare - in hospital ICU’s and COVID units. I prayed for safety, health and wisdom - a million times a day. There were times I felt the isolation was smothering. I missed people, my family and my work. But in all those times, there was a still small voice that reminded me that all would be well. That I could breathe and I had work to do.

The work was different - but I recognized it as something holy, good and much needed. The work? Encouragement, affirmation, joy and hope all offered in little workshops, phone conversations, notes, blogs, articles. Those are my usual avenues - but the message was clearly one that God put on my heart for others - but for me too. It was a gift.

It’s important to look back to see how God was present, working and moving us along. There is something in the doing that strengthens our faith, and reminds of us our connection to the Christian story. God did not abandon us - God was in our midst- reminding us to love, to serve, to trust and definitely have hope. It was a time of wandering in the desert…but here we are with our sights on the promised land.

The remembering helps put things where they need to be. I put my experience in the gratitude category of my brain. Grateful to be moving out of pandemic and the constant worry and into something new and hopeful, but also, grateful for the moments I had with people deeply sharing about things that mattered and that there was time to really listen.

This experience has become part of our story - not the story, but a piece of it and it’s important. People have been wondering how to come back together as a church, school or business community. Some have just dived right in and opened the doors. But most are being cautious and aware - taking time to not leave people behind or lost on the margins. There is still a wee bit of nerves when we take our masks off in public. Not totally trusting it - but happy to breathe freely.

After that reflection comes the new opportunities and challenges.

This is when we ask, “what is God doing here?” What beautiful new things has God given us to use? Who has emerged as a leader, visionary or a prophetic voice during this time? How can we evangelize a people who been through a pandemic? What do they need, want, fear, hunger and long for? Can we find ways to provide that and see it as valuable, important and necessary? Have we lost people during this time? What are we going to do about that? Is inviting people back to mass the only thing we are focusing on? What have we learned? What was good during this time that we want to keep on doing? What did we realize was unnecessary and ineffective that we’d like to leave behind? How can we meet needs creatively and innovatively? How can this time be a time of creative radical change for our programs and routines?

So many questions and I believe you will find the answers as you plan, reflect, talk with people and really listen. You are the one God chose for this time and this work. The way forward is in you - it’s part looking back at God’s continued love and connection with his chosen people. It might be a great day to look back on the book of Exodus with a bowl of popcorn and an glass of icy cold lemonade. If God could take his people into a new place and stay true to his promise for the wily group. He can do the same for us!

You are a blessing and gift to our church. Your faith and conviction, love and sense of purpose are all God needs to spark new life into our communities and help bring the world into the light after all these months in the dark and gloomy clouds. I see what God is doing here!

Peace,

Jane