Psalm 34:7-8
For the Angel of the Lord guards and rescues all who reverence him.
Oh, put God to the test and see how kind he is! See for yourself the way his mercies shower down on all who trust in him.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This morning, the Arkansas United Methodist Conference welcomed a new Bishop, Laura Merrill at an installation service held in Little Rock, Arkansas. In her remarks to those in attendance and watching online, Bishop Merrill began by saying, “Sometimes we wonder…do you ever wonder when things might calm down?! Maybe we don’t let ourselves wonder that anymore. There aren’t any words anymore, really, for the swirling, the disorienting times that we’re living through. We’ve even worn out the word ‘unprecedented. [We] can’t even use it anymore! So, I’m not going to try to describe what it’s been like for me to become a Bishop in January 2023, at this time in the life of our church and the nation. I don’t really have words for that. I do, however, have a lot of other words.”
Bishop Merrill went on to talk about gratitude and love…how God blesses and cares for us. She noted, “It is a joy and a privilege to know ourselves as named and claimed by God of Love, and that knowing is where our unity lives. It’s not in being the same – it’s in having the same Source of Life.”
Here’s where the “test” that the psalmist mentioned comes into play. We are called to look at the pain, suffering, dissension, and violence that takes our breath – and turn to Jesus for solutions. He will always supply us perfectly with what we need. Bishop Merrill also noted that the body of Christ is the “Living Word” – and we are called to be part of this body and help bring Christ’s love and healing to the world. She told those listening that…”Our words of gentleness count, our spirit of humility count, our risks that we take for the sake of love and justice count.” She added that God can use us to shift the balance…whether for one person or for many.
Yesterday, as I walked, I knew that the videos were soon to be released showing the brutal beating of Tyre Nichols by five Memphis policemen. All accounts were that these images were highly disturbing – and these reports were accurate. As I have said in this space many times, the news is so horrible and dark most days that it is almost unbearable to listen to or read the reports. So as I started down the street, earbuds in, I said, “Talk to me, LORD.”
Almost instantly, the songs that played had messages of “God is with you. You can do this!” and “Don’t give up!” The more I walked, the lighter my steps became. Here’s the crazy thing…this morning, I tried to find titles of some of these songs on my playlist to share with you, and it is as if they have disappeared. Perhaps I am just not recognizing them…or maybe God sent an angel to tune my playlist to exactly the songs I needed in that moment! He could do that, you know! Regardless of how it happened…I know that God’s angels attended to me.
You and I are tested every day in some way – from illness and injury to relationship issues, to discrimination, challenges at work, bills to pay, the rigors of aging, and the constant barrage of news about shootings, hateful rhetoric, and war – and so much more. Through all of this and more, God is with us. Jesus stands in the gap, His hands outstretched, and says, “Grab on! Trust Me! I came that you might have abundant life, and the Father will see to this.”
As the installation service concluded this morning with Holy Communion, the organist played, “It Is Well With My Soul.” And the congregation began to sing along spontaneously. It was as if God’s angels were wafting through the congregation and spurring them to demonstrate their trust and gratitude. God will show up and show out in ways we cannot imagine when we trust Him and offer our gratitude. He might even shuffle your playlist. Alleluia!
©2023 Debbie Robus
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