Shenandoah District Connection
Signs of the Risen Christ
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“To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life." (Romans 2:7, NIV)
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Psalm 37:3
(NIV)
Ecclesiastes 3:12
(NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5:15
(NRSV)
(NRSV)
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Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and to do good in one’s lifetime.
See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.
Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
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Dogged Persistence
A variety of questions have filtered into my consciousness over the past month. Questions that I would love to converse about:
- What is the meaning of “returning to normal”?
- How does one discern God’s broader purposes and call during a crisis?
- The age-old question, “Why is it the most vulnerable are the ones that suffer the most?"
- What is the common good?
- And the list goes on…
For today, however, my mind returned to my parent’s strawberry patch in central Ohio. My father was a teacher in a Bible Institute and my mother was a cook in the same institution. They needed to work when not in session. Being farmers by trade, my parents bought eleven acres and proceeded to turn a portion of that acreage into a “pick your own” strawberry farm. The work involved was immense, and the return was sometimes dictated by frost and other forms of inclement weather.
Over time others in the community saw an opportunity to make additional money. Strawberry patches and other produce-driven small plots emerged. What is intriguing is most of these disappeared within five years. The work was hard, and the return not as generous as one might think. Those who were not of serious intent disappeared from the scene.
Dogged persistence is the word that comes to mind regarding my parent’s behavior. No matter the obstacles of weeds and weather, they persisted in their endeavor to carve out a living from the land.
That is a character trait I value. Galatians 6:9 says it like this,
“
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (NIV).
It seems to me we are entering a particularly vulnerable time in our common journey with COVID-19. As the restrictions and protocol remain in place, as our innovations become standard operating procedures, as we long for our “normal freedoms,” frustration, irritation, and yes, anger may replace initial instincts of goodwill. How do we respond?
I suggest to you that now is the time of practicing “dogged persistence.” This means:
- Continuing to maintain social distancing with cheer and goodwill. This is a means of loving our neighbor. Persist.
- Continue to seek renewal, an infusion of God’s grace. Persist in seeking to enter God’s rest.
- Continuing the practices, we have established in maintaining connections. Yes, indeed, phone calls and notes matter and make a difference. Persist
- Continue the mid-week connections established. Check-in times, Bible studies, children’s stories, small groups, and pastor’s gatherings. They make a difference. Persist.
- Continue to worship together in the varieties of ways congregations are meeting. Mailings, drive-in services, Facebook, YouTube, Zoom. I know from first-hand experience that this can be exhausting work. But what we are doing matters and makes a difference. Persist.
- Persist in giving, reaching out to those in need, sharing money and resources.
- Other
Persistence is hard, non-glamorous work. It is tiring. However, God is doing a new thing among us, the parameters and shape which are not yet clear. We can rest in that assurance.
We are not called to save the world. Only to play the hand that we have been dealt. Only do what God has given us to do. Dogged persistence.
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Romans 2:7
- To those who by persistence
in doing good
seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
Oh Lord, may it be so.
Amen.
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We remember
Tim Sites
who is in Sentara Hospital. Tim is serving as interim pastor at Leake’s Chapel. We also remember Pastor
Jack Haddock
, who was admitted at Winchester Medical Center this week. Jack serves at Trinity in Page County. Pray for their healing and restoration to health.
Prayer is needed for
Accordius Health
in Harrisonburg as the COVID-19 virus has been impacting residents there.
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The denomination has created a new page for their website that is specifically designed to provide financial assistance information during COVID-19
.
Click here to access page
.
Brethren Benefit Trust has adapted a document that contains important information about the legislative decisions made by Congress recently.
Download a copy here
to learn more about the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Loans, Paid Leave Benefits, and Paycheck Retention Credits.
Pastor for Youth and Young Fam
ilies Gabe Dodd has shared a resource to make outreach to youth easier. Gabe, who serves at Montezuma, said, "The resource is called the 'Good News Youth Devotional,' and will provide a new devotion for youth every weekday between Easter and Pentecost. During these seven weeks, youth have a short description of the text, a statement of what the good news is, a discussion question, and some kind of interactive activity." These resources may be used for digital interactions with youth or simply emailed to them to access independently.
Click here to check it out.
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Attributions
Today's Call to Worship, Meditation and Benediction
submitted by:
John Jantzi
District Executive Minister
Shenandoah District
Sources:
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Today's photo by pixabay.com
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If you have questions about the Daily Connection, contact:
Director of Communications
Shenandoah District Church of the Brethren
P.O. Box 67
Weyers Cave, Va. 24486
(540) 234-8555
www.shencob.org
(Graphics courtesy of pixabay.com, unless otherwise stated)
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