April 26, 2020
What’s Your Job?
Tom Tarrants, President Emeritus, C.S. Lewis Institute, observes that “troubled times like these . . . can rob us of peace.” To his question, “Where can we look for help in such times?” Tarrants provides the following: “in the face of the most terrifying calamity he could imagine, the Psalmist was confident that God was ultimately in control of the world. He said, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling” (Psalm 46:1–3, ESV).
The earth giving way, moving mountains, roaring waters – the Psalmist’s mind tries to capture the singular power, might, and wonder of our God. These are the most forceful images his mind can conjure. But the words and phrases drift into the mystery of God’s ways. We know He’s in charge of everything, but at times that can be so hard to understand and relate to a situation within which we find ourselves. The Lord is clear in addressing this mystery:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” Isaiah 55:8-9
Yet, this God who created the universe is the same God who loves us and because of that love and His love for Immanuel, His church, our God is with us. In the tempest we search to understand, He has already in His “ways” determined how this troubled period will strengthen Immanuel. As Immanuel is people, God has a job for each of us during this period.
We have been blessed having Fr. Tim Howe and Fr. Richard Crocker with us during this period and I’m sure we’ll always consider them members of our Immanuel family. We have a vestry, a deacon, staff, group leaders, and members of various groups. We have parishioners who pray for others, those who write to others, and some who help others in various ways. We are a body of believers and it is incumbent on us through prayer to identify how best we can perform our jobs. Don’t think you have a job at Immanuel? God has one for you; pray about it.
Yours in Faith,
Rich Garon
Senior Warden