Life Is Not Easy
“Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11: 28-29 KJV
Life is not easy. Struggles of long standing can drain us of energy and health. Sudden and unexpected shifts in our reality can have us reeling. Our lives can go from simple to complex in the blink of an eye. We need a safe place where we can catch our breath, pray and think. We need solid ground beneath our feet so we can make an effective response to what life demands.
We need people and resources we can trust. We need to know we are not alone and help is on the way. The spiritual life is here for us, not only when we are feeling content and confident, but when were are uncertain or overwhelmed. Our community of faith (St. Martin’s) is a union, a union of workers in the Spirit, a united front of those who have had the experience and understand the feeling. We stand together for the welfare of any person who finds themselves in need. The many and the one are the same. No, at times, life is not easy, but when we are together in faith, it can get a whole lot better.
I learned this again recently. Life was not easy for me on Sunday, July 11. I was overwhelmed by a sense of loss. In the worship for that day, suddenly, I was lifted up as the choir sang a magnificent piece, “Jesus, Sun of Life, My Splendor” by George Frideric Handel. I am grateful to the wonderful choir, Dr. David Henning and Kevin Riehle. The words to this uplifting piece form the basis of my “devotion” for this day and serve as a reminder, even though life is not easy, of how we can be sustained through the worship we are privileged to share. I invite you to pray these words:
Jesus, Sun of Life, my Splendor,
Jesus, Thou, my Friend most tender,
Jesus, Joy of my desiring,
Fount of Life, my soul inspiring,
At Thy feet I cry, my Maker,
Let me be a fit partaker
Of this blessed food from heaven,
For our good, Thy glory, given.
Jesus, Bread of Life, I pray Thee,
Let me gladly here obey Thee,
By Thy love I am invited,
Be Thy love with love requited;
From this Supper let me measure,
Lord, how vast and deep love's treasure.
Through the gifts Thou here dost give me
As Thy guest in heaven receive me.
