“For Such A Time As This” - PCOB Announcement And Devotional For 3/19/2020

To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,

We have been working on ways to stay connected with and support one another through emails and by developing an online worship video that will be available starting this Sunday morning.  Yet, not all of our congregants use email or have access to the internet.  I have been asking you to print and share our emails with those who don't get them.  We are working on strategies to communicate with and resource those who are not digitally connected.  For now,  if you know someone who does not receive emails, please call them and offer to read the daily devotions and announcement to them.  This also offers an opportunity to check in with each other regarding the joys and challenges of the day.

I am thankful to Karen Haldeman for writing today's devotion.  I enjoyed getting responses to yesterday's devotion.  If you want to respond to Karen, her email address is kbhaldeman@verizon.net.

Shalom,
Dennis

Scripture
Those who dwell in the shelter of Infinite Light,
     who abide in the wings of Infinite Love,
Will raise their voices in praise:
     “My refuge and my strength;
     in You alone will I trust.”
For You deliver me from the webs of fear and illusion,
     from all that separates and divides;
You protect me as an eagle shields its young,
     your faithfulness is sure, like an arrow set upon the mark.
I will not fear the shadows of the night,
     nor the confusion that comes by day,
     nor the dreams that awaken me from sleep,
     nor the daily changes that life brings…

For You have sent your angels to watch over me,
to guide me in all my ways…

(excerpts from Psalm 91, in Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill)

Thoughts
The other day—March 17—was St. Patrick’s Day. In the Brethren tradition, we don’t pay too much attention to the saints. We might associate St. Patrick with Ireland, leprechauns, and parades, but we might not know that he was vocal in his opposition to slavery and worked to free hostages; he himself was enslaved early in his life.

Many of us might feel we are hostages these days. We are largely imprisoned in our homes and subject to someone else’s orders. Perhaps we are also imprisoned by fear that we feel. We are afraid of getting sick, or passing a virus on to a loved one. We are afraid of losing our income or our job, our retirement savings, our lives. We are afraid of being disconnected from our friends and family, afraid of being cooped up inside with children for a long time.

During chaotic or difficult times, I often find myself a slave to fear. Sometimes it grips me so hard that I can’t think straight, or I feel ill from anxiety, or I am not able to notice the little blessings that show up throughout a day. Psalm 91 (above) is a reminder that I am not alone in the midst of my fear. When I repeatedly ask God to “deliver me from the webs of fear and illusion,” I am reminded of God’s presence and care “as an eagle shields its young.” While that prayer doesn’t guarantee a happy outcome, it is reassurance that God’s presence is faithful…regardless of what the future might bring. May it be so for us during these challenging weeks.

Prayer
Protecting God, we acknowledge that it’s easy for us to be slaves to our fears. As we spend more times in our homes, remind us to dwell in your love. Protect us from succumbing to despair and hopelessness. Remind us daily—even hourly—of your gentle care for us. Amen.