Letter from the Church Council
Every month, someone on Council has an opportunity to write this “Letter from Council”. Normally, I have no problem doing this when it is my time. I think and wait; and something comes to mind. Some memory, devotion or happening triggers a thought of what I could write about. Not this time. The deadline to submit is today and still I have no idea of what to write about. I am stuck; despite multiple conversations with God over the past two weeks asking for inspiration. Nope. Nothing. No clue. The hours pass, morning turns to noon, and noon turns to evening, still with a blank page in front of me.
So maybe this ‘blank page’ is the inspiration from God? What lesson is in this? What does this have to teach me of God and faith and living with Christ?
What do you do when you feel you are stuck? When life seems to be a never-ending cycle, and it has been spinning long enough that you are dizzy and unsure where the right direction is any more. Of course, not being able to write a short letter is nothing like a serious life issue, but can be used as an example, a taster, for more somber situations. Platitudes such as “look on the bright side” and “look for the silver lining” somehow can diminish the genuine feelings of sadness that anyone can experience in life. Even wholesome advice such as “count your blessings” can feel unwelcome. A teacher of mine many years ago once offered this advice: “when you feel a deep emotion, really feel it. Allow it to become who you are, if even for a short while.” That is easier to do when the emotion is joy, delight, pleasure. What about sadness, sorrow, despondency? Sinking into these rough feelings is difficult. Allowing them to become who are you, even for a moment, can be frightening. And yet, somehow necessary, if one is to then be able to move on, and get beyond them. Avoiding the feeling of ‘loss’ that comes with deep sadness and sorrow is like denying half of who we are.
The world seems to be a lot more frightening, uncertain place than it was when I was young. I did not live through a depression, world war, or other traumatic era, and I grew up with the assumption that major issues such as hunger, communicable diseases, short life expectancies etc. would all improve with modern technology and greater awareness of preventative techniques. Somehow that has not happened. Global warming, food insecurity, civil and international wars in multiple places, all seem to have crept up on silent wheels and now appear right in front of us.
Continued on Page 2 below 1 2 Continued from Page 1 above And what does this have to teach me of God and faith and living with and in Christ? Knowing that there is always a firm foundation underneath, a rock on which to stand, even in the dark moments, is such an immense assurance. Knowing that God is always there, no matter what, does not make the sad times any less sad; but definitely more bearable. Understanding that following Christ’s footsteps means that Christ is not just in front of us, but also behind us and all around us, and always with a steady, comforting hand reached out to us, gives light to our path. All I can say is “Thank God for God.”
May you feel God’s comforting presence in all the moments of your life.
– Susan Simonson ACC Council Member