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Monday, September 21, 2020
Today’s reflection is written by Ann Waller.
I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call on you, O Lord. —Psalm 88:8-9
My whole life, I have struggled with depression. Growing up, I always felt alone even when with other people. My friends couldn’t understand why I was always “in a mood,” and, truthfully, neither could I.
As an adult, I still struggled, not knowing why. Sometimes it would get so bad that I just didn’t care about ANYTHING. I know this was hard on my family. I could see it in their faces. They would try so hard to cheer me up, ask questions to try to help, but it just didn’t matter to me. I hated that it didn’t, but I couldn’t change or shake it off.
I was raised Catholic but left the formal church because of what I perceived as their “man-made” rules. However, I used to go sit in the empty church and talk to God. I always felt His presence. I believe this is what sustained me all those years.
Finally, science caught up with my symptoms, and I was diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I was prescribed a light therapy that changed my life! I still struggle at times, but nothing like it used to be. I still talk to God, and while some days He seems distant, I always find Him! Sometimes it just takes longer.
These past six months have changed the way we live. We no longer have the face-to-face contacts that we’re so used to and dependent on. Our life rhythms are drastically different. There is an increase in fear, anxiousness, and despair for a lot of people trying to cope with this new way of living. We want our old way back. But let us not forget that God has not changed and will not change. He is still present with us through this uncertain time.
My faith kept me going all those years and still does today. I can look back and see where God intervened to help me even when I wasn’t capable of seeing it at the time. What a blessing to know God will NEVER leave us, no matter how we are struggling or what we are going through. He is a constant presence and the strongest anchor to cling to when we feel we have nothing left. He will not let us down. Thank you, Lord!
Friday, September 18, 2020
Today’s reflection is written by Deacon Karen Katamay.
“I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing.” —Isaiah 61:8
The Lord loves justice, and so should we. Yet our world sometimes seems to have a distorted view of justice, such as when someone who steals food to feed their family goes to jail, yet someone who commits what we call a “white collar” crime, stealing from others through deception or manipulation, gets away with just a fine. Not that any form of robbery is okay—the Lord certainly doesn’t like that—but is there a better way for justice to be served? Are there systemic problems that need to be addressed?
So how then can we determine what is just and what isn’t?
For me, the answers are in the Bible and especially in the words of Jesus. If we love one another, as Jesus commanded us to do, we won’t do things that will hurt others. If we care for the needy among us, then everyone can have their daily bread. If we treasure our relationship with God over earthly riches, then we won’t be tempted to take advantage of others for our own gain.
Sometimes the problems in our society, such as racial and social injustice, are much deeper than we will ever understand, or are caused by years of injustice which will take many more years to amend. In those cases, we must pray for healing and insight, asking God how we can make a difference. How can we be there for those who need us to stand up for them?
Yes, the Lord loves justice and wants that justice to begin with us. God wants us to acknowledge where we have failed to stand up for others and try to do better. The prophet Micah says it best: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
Let us act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God every day.
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Honor the Lord with your wealth. Proverbs 3:9
I think I was in sixth grade when I gave my dad one of the worst Christmas gifts I have ever given him. He wore a suit and tie to work each day, so when I saw the motorized tie rack at the store I knew it was just what he needed. This would give him the competitive edge to continue his ascent up the corporate ladder. While others were wasting seconds (maybe even tens of seconds) trying to find the perfect tie, my dad would already be putting his suit jacket on.
One of the things that stands out to me as an adult is that the money I used to buy my dad’s gift was money that was given to me by him. There was likely some sort of agreement that made me feel like it was something I had earned, but in the end I’m certain it was more than I deserved to receive for whatever terms had been established.
Today’s verse reminds me that to this day I receive more than I deserve. All of creation exists because God desired it to be so. This means that everything belongs to God.
Today was given to us by God and tomorrow isn’t promised. How will we use this day?
The money we have was entrusted to us by God. How will we spend it?
Let us give honor to God today by ensuring that the gift does not eclipse the giver.
