Friday, January 8, 2021

Today’s reflection is written by Deacon Karen Katamay.

“God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.” —Psalm 62:6

“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet.” —Hebrews 12:12-13

There are several passages in the Bible about God being our strength. In addition to today’s verses, I am also reminded of the first verse of Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Many times we want to believe that if we have faith in God, he will protect us from all hardships and struggles, and life will be easy. But instead, the Bible is filled with examples of those who had great faith and also great suffering. Take the apostles, for example. They were beaten and stoned and scorned, and yet they never lost their faith, instead drawing strength from it to endure their hardships.

As I get older, the physical labor I used with do with ease when I was younger becomes more difficult now. I do have drooping hands and weak knees at the end of the day when I am doing manual labor, but somehow God gets me through it. Lifting boxes at the food pantry, packing up groceries for refugee families, cutting my grass, raking leaves, shoveling snow, cleaning my house, and other activities can leave me drained at the end of the day. But then I remember how blessed I am that I can still do these things and thank God that he gives me the strength to do them. God also gives me strength when my spirit is weak or I am emotionally drained. 

Yes, God is my rock and my salvation, my refuge and my strength. And for that, I am eternally grateful! Amen.