Facing Uncertain Times

These last few weeks have felt, to me at least, like the rug has been pulled out from under us. A bailout of the financial sector, bad mortgage loans, and world markets seemingly in freefall combine to shake our confidence in the economy in general, and our personal financial security specifically. It is easy to approach the world these days trembling with fear, easy to forget that we have been in tough spots before and made it through.

I believe that one of the reasons God has placed us in community (the church) is so that when these times come into our lives, as they always do, we have each other. At no time are we called more strongly to be the church, to be light in the darkness of the world, than in these uncertain times. We know that there will be hard times ahead, but as Christians, we also know two key things:

v     we live in an attitude of hope, and     

v     we are not alone.

      Our hope comes from Christ, God’s transforming power in the world, and the Spirit, who strengthens us. We pray “your kingdom come on earth” because we believe that Christ is alive and working in and through all who are willing, to ease suffering and pain in any situation. That hope is made flesh when we strengthen each other through spiritual (prayer), emotional (listening to each other’s stories and offering encouragement), and physical (People in Need funds, Wesley Bank loans) assistance.

      We are not alone—we have each other, and God is with us. In our culture, we often hole up on our misery, leaving the church “until we get our act together,” leaving the very place that can help us weather the storm. The church community is for the good times and the bad in all of our lives.

      You may remember the other financial crises this nation faced. Many lost jobs, many lost retirement funds, some lost homes. But eventually, we recovered. I believe we will again. And we will walk this road together. In these times, I cherish the words of Janet Morley:

      We’re here because we’re hungry

               for all that God offers: for a taste of the truth –

               that all is not hopeless, that we are not helpless,

               that the powers of this world

               and the rules of the market will yield to God’s rule.  

Amen! May it be so!                                                   

                                                                   Pam Serdar