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Pastor's Message for May 2009
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Pastor’s Message May 2009 “ The Tower” Newsletter
~ Rev. Vicky Ney
The long-awaited spring has finally arrived. We have passed the Easter “Alleluias” and look ahead to the month of May. We know that this year on the religious calendar, Pentecost, the celebration of the giving of the Holy Spirit is at the end of the month. Culturally, May used to be the month of focusing on Mother’s Day and love. These days, the more I speak with other folks, the emphasis seems to be on graduations, life changes, and family get-togethers for the special occasions.
They used to call graduations “commencements,” simply because the graduates could now “commence” or begin their life beyond school. Even though, it’s a time to celebrate, it is also a stressful time with questions about what to do with the rest of their lives—and affording the rest of their life financially! If we’re honest, graduates are not the only ones facing those tense questions. Some people wonder how they will cope with all the demands on them. Still others worry about health issues, life without loved ones, life with loved ones, financial difficulties, relationships, even whether or not they will be able to make necessary changes in their lives.
I’ve discovered that there are some choices we can make when we have those “question marks” in our lives. We can come to a dead stop and “freeze” in fear mentally or spiritually, or “check out” and live in denial about impediments in the way of resolution, or we can direct our anxiety and concerns toward God and then reach out to God for help.
When we begin to trust God in our times of need, I believe we find that there is divine strength available to us. Essentially, all the strength to survive, the power to endure, and the ability to overcome are already in us through the Holy Spirit. God doesn’t have to magically send something down from heaven to enable us to face trying times. The Holy Spirit is already within us ready to strengthen and sustain us through any troubles. Jesus knew firsthand our weaknesses and frailties. He knew we could feel overwhelmed by life difficulties. That’s why Jesus told his disciples, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18) Jesus comes to us through the Holy Spirit—which is what we remember at Pentecost. Jesus gave that promise so that we would know we are never alone.
The good news is that God’s strength is not something you have to beg or work for. It is a free gift given to all who are willing to trust Him. There is no greater expression of trust in God than to say, “God, I can’t do this myself, but I know You are able.” In that moment of weakness as we hand over our anxieties—when we cannot help ourselves, when we feel out of control—only then can God step in and be free to empower, strengthen, and help us.
That certainly doesn’t mean we sit back and do nothing. But by turning the impossible over to God, we can allow the fog of fear and paralysis of panic to disappear, and see more clearly where God leads us and what God wants us to do.
Exercise your trust mechanism and place problems in God’s capable hands. God, who walks with us each day, is ready to wrap arms of unconditional love around us. When hope feels gone, let God love, protect, and comfort you. Allow God to be the source of your strength.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
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