Dear Fellow Children of God,
Before worship started on Sunday, July 12, I sat in the
pew talking with Duane Odland. I had not
seen Duane since January. We had a lot
to catch up on, in our lives and in our world.
We both agreed that right now “The world seems to be going crazy.” That same afternoon I was at a wedding and
talked with Ellen Lentz-Bang and to Harry Zola, among others. We discussed COVID-19 and national
politics. Rather to have a diagnosis for
the recent pandemic in our world, Ellen and I agreed, “Who really knows what’s
going on?” Rather to have a diagnosis for the recent upheaval and turmoil in
our world, Harry and I agreed, “The world is a mess.”
I’m sure I don’t have to inform you about the disruption
caused to all people in our world by the coronavirus. Unfortunately, just when it seemed that
things were working their way back to a previous normal, or to a “new normal,”
the second wave of the virus is spreading faster than the first. I am sure you have observed the political
upheaval caused by the sin of racism, which has always existed, and is displaying
it’s evil again in our time. The riots
and demonstrations seem to have caused more harm than good. And, our political leaders appear to be
causing more division than answering questions and working for unity. What a time of unrest!
Perhaps those of us observing from past experience are
caught in the past. But, to me, our
world seems to be in chaos. I was taught
in seminary that the sea, with all its winds and waves and storms, represents
chaos. I was also taught that chaos, the
lack of order, is the result of and is a sign of the sin and the rebellion of
God’ children against our Heavenly Father’s loving direction. When the creation rebels against the Creator
there is trouble, to put it lightly.
Yet, in the midst of this chaos I have found some places
of calm, and peace. For example, being
retired I have had more time to work on my yard and my garden this year. I can spend more time with a hoe in my hand, and
more time on my knees, pulling chickweed, and the other weeds in my
garden. I have given more attention to
my flowers and vegetables, pruning and feeding them. The results show a beauty and order we see in
God’s creation, but don’t always see in the rest of our world. My wife, Kathy, has been picking flowers for
almost two months and displaying them in our home. We have been eating radishes, lettuce, and
spinach for over a month. To be able to
work in such a way that dispels the chaos of weeds, and which brings the beauty
and the fruit of God’s creation, gives me a sense of peace.
Another place of peace for me has been time away
fishing. When I am the only one, or one
of few, on the river or on a lake, and I can listen to the sounds of the water,
and the birds, and see other wildlife, I can observe the good which God created
in the beginning.
I have many favorite Psalms, for
example Psalms 1, 2. 19, 23, 24, 30, 32, 67, 84, 85, 90, 91, 96, 97, 98, 100,
103, 111, 118, 119, 121, 122, 130, 145, 146, 150 –whew! But, one
of my favorite Psalms is Psalm
46. This Psalm describes the turmoil we
experience in our world. God speaks through the Sons of Korah to describe
natural disasters. “ . . .the earth gives way, though the
mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters
roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (Ps. 46:2 b-3) Then the Lord
speaks of political upheaval, “6The nations rage, the kingdoms
totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. (Psalm 46:6) Yet, in the midst of this chaos, God calls to His people to trust Him, to
trust His power and His rule. 10
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I
will be exalted in the earth!" 11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
(Psalm 46:10-11 ) The world may
be crazy, or in chaos, but our Lord is still God, still ruling, still in
charge. He IS with us! It takes faith to see, but our Lord is there.
Jesus is the greatest sign of God’s loving rule in the
midst of a world of sin. Jesus faced the
storms of this world. When the disciples
were in fear of drowning during a storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus simply spoke
to the storm. “39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind
and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a
great calm.” (Mk. 4:39) Do you
hear the same command, “Be still.”? Then Jesus scolded the disciples, “He said to them, ‘Why are you
so afraid? Have you still no faith?’" (Mark. 4:40) In the chaos of the mess we find in our
world, we can trust God with the storms of life.
Does the world seem to be going crazy to you? Does the world seem to be in chaos? Does this chaos and turmoil cause you stress? Bring fear?
Cause you to worry? After all, we
are not in charge. BUT, the Lord IS GOD. Remember, Jesus has also faced the storms of
selfishness, of sin, of rebellion, and He nailed them to the cross winning
forgiveness. Jesus defeated the power of
sin in His rising from the dead. The forces of evil may rage, but, Jesus speaks
to us and says, “Be still!”
I have one more favorite place of order and peace, where
I remember the beauty our Lord gives.
This place also has weeds, but we live in a sinful world. Yet here I find God’s grace and peace. That place is in worship. In worship God’s Word is spoken to create and
strengthen faith. In worship God calls
people to Himself in baptism. In worship
our Lord forgives sins in the Lord’s Supper.
For the chaos of our world, God breaks in to plant the seed of faith and
to give the gifts of grace and love and peace,
so we do not have to be afraid.
We can do what we are called to in Psalm 46. "Be still, and know that I am God.
A Child of God, Enjoying God’s Beauty and Peace in a
World of Chaos,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. Here are some pictures from my garden after
weeding on Sunday, July 12. https://photos.app.goo.gl/EDEVbWsmcR5eyMvS6
P.P.S. Here are
some pictures of our yard and flowers after mowing on Sunday, July 12. https://photos.app.goo.gl/8oEqVyCinrikeZLr9
P.P.P.S. I went
fishing for king salmon on Wednesday, July 8 on the Deshka River, and on
Monday, July 13, on the Little Susitna River.
However, most of the runs have entered the river and gone upstream – no
bites, no fish. Nevertheless, in spite
of the pelting rain on the Deshka, and the roar of chain saws clearing dead
spruce trees on the Little Su, the days were still a chance to enjoy the beauty
of God’s creation!
*****
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now
retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK. My weekly
devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."
However, with life's changes I now call the devotion "Journeys Through
Life as a Child of God." I am only sending this message to those who
have asked to receive it. If you know someone else who desires to receive
this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net. I will
include them on my distribution list. You can also view this message on my
Facebook page.
A NUMBER OF PEOPLE
HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS. Since I’m only sending these e-mails to
people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving them. BUT, if you read this on Facebook and like to
receive these devotions by e-mail, or if you know someone who would like to
receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add
you to my distribution list.
Child of God
Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather
Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church
E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net
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