Text: Isaiah 52:7-10 and Revelation 21:22-27
Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come without leaving happier.
~ Mother Treasa
Many see the pandemic as a dark time, a time of uncertainty, fear, worry, isolation, disconnection. Our human hearts seek certainty, security, safety, and sure answers for life to return to what we once knew as “normal.” And where do we ordinarily turn for these answers? It seems that most of us turn to the news media, social media, Google, scientific evidence, masking, social distancing and a vaccine. Is it possible that in living our lives in this way we are missing out on the joy of truly living that Isaiah announces? Are we missing out on “the good news of happiness,” of “lifting up our voices as together we sing for joy?” Is it possible that the Bible holds the only real answers of certainty, security, safety and Truth. And…I might also ask, “what do others see in us in our response to the pandemic; do they see light or darkness?” My prayer is they will see the Epiphany light described by John in Revelation, the light of the Glory of the Lord and the lamp of the Lamb, a light that lights the way for us and draws others to Him.
O one with God the Father in majesty and might
The brightness of his glory eternal Light of light;
To gloomy haunts of darkness Your rays are streaming down;
The shadows flee before You, the world’s true light has come.
Yet, Lord, we see but dimly; O heavenly Light, arise;
Dispel these mists that shroud us and hide You from our eyes.
We long to track the footprints where You Yourself have trod;
We long to see the pathway that leads to You, our God.
O Jesus, shine around us with radiance of Your grace,
O Jesus, turn upon us the brightness of Your face.
We need no star to guide us, as on our way we press,
If you will light our pathway, O Sun of righteousness. ( LBW 77)
~ Bev Hudgins,
Lay Minister of Education