These are troubled times indeed and many are overwhelmed by the problems we faith with COVID19 and racial injustices.  But these times of disruption and violence are not new.  Our history is replete with catastrophes and chaos, especially in the Old Testament, as we read today.  And it is nothing new when trouble surrounds us, that we are often tempted to think that God is punishing us for our sins in ways that condemn us.  When we don’t get the peace and time of healing we ask for, we often question God.  “Why have you struck us a blow that cannot be healed?”  But the lessons today speak to me of faithfulness and of patience, not despair, in times such as this.  Our faith calls us to continually look to the Lord for the peace and healing we need.  It will come.

Even when we are brought very low, as we are by COVID19 and the racial injustices in our nation and throughout the world, the readings today remind me that we are God’s people and the sheep of his pasture. God will deliver us.  In our faith, we can give thinks to the Lord forever, even in the times of great troubles.  But during times such as this, our faith can become easily overwhelmed.  Not only do we need to become more vigilant in expressing our thankfulness,  I am reminded that we need to be sure we help others to do so also.  It seems to me that in addition to prayer for deliverance, one of the best things I can do is share with others my confidence that God has and will continue to send peace and healing to the earth. 

Lately I am finding that sometimes just a simple sharing of  “Let’s remember that we are God’s people and the sheep of his pasture,” is oftentimes very soothing to people who are given to despair.  If we can remember who and whose we are, we might not be so easily overwhelmed by the weeds in our lives.  We can trust that God will take care of the weeds.  That frees us to use our energies to help others.  It also gives us more time to give thanks to God.  This focus on gratitude helps us get our priorities straight.  We can  refocus our actions away from despair toward positive steps to bring peace and healing to those around us.  In faith, we can all do something.  After all, we are God’s people!