The Good Shepherd Watches Over You

"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14-15 NRSV

The secular world has made Advent into a happy time; a time to celebrate. But, for many it is not so. It is a time when many are drawn to thoughts of loved ones who are no longer with them. The empty chair at the table draws them into even deeper sadness. Many families will take out "Christmas" loans, if they can get one, in order to provide their children with gifts for their children, simply because this is the tradition of the world. They do not want to disappoint their children and so they will go even deeper into debt so as not to disappoint them on Christmas morning. Did I mention the parties? No? Hmmm.... Well, the trouble that comes from all that "Christmas Cheer" speaks for itself. More trouble... More depression... More loneliness... More divorces... More deaths and empty chairs to grieve over during the next Advent and Christmas seasons.

Advent can be a very lonely and depressing time for many. The world thinks we should be happy, happy, happy; so smiles mask the emptiness and sadness; because that is what is expected, by the world around us.

Advent, is indeed a time for hope. But, there is little hope if we expect the world to give us answers. The only hope to be found is in the good shepherd. He is humble and he is kind. He is not full of things of this world. His concern is for you. He will care for you. While the world is busy worrying about "things," Jesus is there for  you. He is with you; watching over you. He loves you enough to lay down his life for you. What greater gift can there be than having someone love you so much they would give their all for you?

May God help us to see as the Good Shepherd sees and to live as he lives caring for others enough to be with those who are hurting; those who are alone; those who are in any need, not just this Advent season; but, all year round.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Unbelievably Sad

My heart throbs, my strength fails me;
    as for the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
My friends and companions stand aloof from my affliction,
    and my neighbors stand far off.

Those who seek my life lay their snares;
    those who seek to hurt me speak of ruin,
    and meditate treachery all day long.

Psalm 38:10-12 NRSV

 

I find myself unbelievably saddened today. I am sad because you are sad.

It never fails to astound me how quickly people who say they care will turn against someone or even desert them when someone is being afflicted. Instead of helping and supporting their "friends and companions," they turn on them much like Job's friends turned on him when he was afflicted. They turn on them and dessert them in their time of need and in doing so they hurt, even further, the one who is hurting.

 

I wish that I could help them in their loneliness. I am always willing to be there to listen. However, not everyone wants their pastor to care; after all, that's what pastors do: care for the afflicted. Sometimes people need more people than just their pastor. Most of us have probably been, at one time or another, in that place where it seems like there is no one left who cares about us. I have come to know the one who is always there for you... His name is Jesus. He is always with you. Talk to him. Hear his gentle voice: Be not troubled. Be not afraid. My peace I give to you. (John 14:27)

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Micah 1 - Mourning For Children

"Shave your head in mourning
    for the children in whom you delight;
make yourself as bald as the vulture,
    for they will go from you into exile." (Micah 1:16 NIV)

Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, sounds an awful lot like Isaiah. He continues the warning to the people of God that their ways are going to lead them into exile.

It is Advent and at the beginning of every Advent I see depression and other forms of mental illness begin to escalate. Part of that may be due to the lack of sunshine here in the U.P. of Michigan and the fact that the lower temperatures keep people indoors more with much less exercise and sunlight. Part of it; though, I believe is due to the holiday season which does not resemble Holy Days all that much. at all.

As we prepare for Christmas, there is a lot of frustration. People seeking what the world seeks; rather, than seeking a relationship with the Christ, whom we celebrate. There is much financial stress as people feel pressured by society to "buy." There is also much emotional stress as many face a day (season) that is suppose to be cheerful (because the world says so) without a loved one that they have lost and miss grievously. They feel quite alone (exiled) as there is a chair at the table that is empty. There also tends to be a lot more "parties" in December and on into January. For some reason people think they can treat their loneliness and depression with alcohol (or other drugs). Alcohol, my friends, is a depressant. There is only one cure for loneliness and that, my friends is being in a healthy relationship; a relationship with God our Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ and with one another.

Advent is supposedly a time to prepare for the coming of the LORD. But, is that what we do? Or are we busy trying to keep up with the world; ending up depressed; feeling alone and exiled? For many, I am afraid it is the latter.

What are we teaching our children? Where are we leading them? Into loneliness? Depression? Exile from the relationship that God intends them to have with Him and His whole household?

It is probably past time, to join Micah in lamenting for our children. It is past time to start asking ourselves: What have we done? What have we left undone that would have brought them peace?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 88 - Low Pits and Dark Depths

You've probably been there. Maybe, you're not now. But, most of us have been in that low pit, the darkest depths at one time or another. The last thing you feel at night is loneliness and grief and the first thing you wake up knowing is the same loneliness and grief.

We pray, "How long, LORD, before you save us from this miserable state that we have entered into?" We know that only the LORD can save us. Yet, in our deep despair, the recognition that God has not turned His back on us, humanity has turned its back on God often eludes us.

Most of us know what it is like to be in the darkness and we can empathize with those who are there now and so... we keep them in our prayers.

May the LORD grant faith to all who find themselves in this dark and lonely pit. May God grant you eyes to see His light shining in the darkness of the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Job 16 - Are You Sick or Something?

Are you sick or something?  Something has to be wrong with you to speak to me with such hurtful words and tones when I, myself, am sick?  What is wrong with you? Job questions his tormentors, his "friends."  He's not only been afflicted by Satan, but now he's afflicted with "friends" who attack him.  Ever been there?  When trouble strikes, your friends or family turn on you?  I know most of you have, might even be now.

It is a sad day when our friends accuse us falsely so that they can look good in their own eyes.  We are left deserted.  The feelings of loneliness can send us to a sickbed as quick as any physical disease.  When will we learn to care for and support one another in time of need?  Is it really too much to ask to love our neighbor?  How can we possibly love our enemies, when we can't even love our friends?

I was on the Voice of the Martyrs web-site yesterday reading stories about how our brothers and sisters in Christ, all around the world, are being accused and thrown into prisons.  It seems, just as Job, who was faithful to God, was accused of being unfaithful; those who follow in the footsteps of Jesus will also reap accusations of being unfaithful. Yet, when we are accused of not following the one true God, we have one who will intercede for us (that is the one true God).  We have one who is with us in these times of sorrowful loneliness.  We have one who was deserted by all and truly went to the grave for us.  We have Jesus the Christ. 

May the peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ be with you now and always.

Pr. J