"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe
also in me." John 14:1
It is hard to believe that my time with
this congregation is
coming to a close. It has been a wonderful time of growth and
challenge as we have struggled to understand the needs of those in our
community and in our neighborhood and reach out in new ways with God's
love. And now both pastor and congregation move into a time of
transition and even turmoil as we take different paths on following our
Lord.
The disciples, too, faced turmoil and
confusion. Their world was about to be turned upside down and
challenged by new revelation. For this Jesus whom they had come
to see as Messiah would be killed--how could this be!? And this
faith that Jesus had stirred within them that brought them hope of
relief from oppressive Rome would die in the despair of
crucifixion. In the death of their dreams, Jesus challenges them
with a new kind of revolution that would only be obtained by means of
compassion, not violence.
In the face of the change they will meet,
Jesus gives words of comfort--"Let not your hearts be troubled."
We usually read this as a gentle voice of reassurance, and we envision
the arms of Jesus surrounding us. But grammatically it is much
stronger than that. It is a command--don't give in to
discouragement. Choose to stand firm, even when your heart
abandons you. Trust me.
In the face of our own turmoil and
confusion--whatever that might be, we, too, are to choose to stand firm
and to trust God's transformative grace that turns death into
life. It is Christ who reveals God to us--this God of compassion,
of steadfastness, of truth-telling and justice, and of abundant
life. God's grace brings forgiveness and changes our bitter and
resentful hearts to hearts filled with joy. As we choose to not
be troubled but rather to trust God, we also find the new possibliities
and hope that God has for us, even on our separate journeys.
May God bless and keep you on your way.
