The Pastor’s Blog – WE BOW DOWN
I checked out the daffodils which grow in the flower beds next to the church, thanks to the care of the Altruistic Club, and noted that all their heads were bowing down. It was such a graceful, beautiful picture of submission. These flowers cannot choose where they are planted, the weather conditions or even how they will be treated by animals or people. So instead they bow their heads in submission …
I believe there is a lesson there for us as well. Humanity seems to thrive on pride. We have answers for everything, from how to control harvests and pests in the fields to how many children a woman bears. We think science is our saviour and far too many disparage religion and those who have a strong faith.
Then comes along a virus like COVID-19 and suddenly science has no answers – at least not yet. Some people are panicking for fear of their health. Others are distressed because of the financial woes this is causing. It feels like everything is out of control. But is it?
No, the hand of God still moves even in the midst of trying times like these. God knows why the virus is passing through our lands, and despite the challenges, there is good even in this. Have you noticed families spending time together again? We haven’t seen that for far too long. We have been too busy building wealth for retirement to enjoy the precious few years we actually have with our children. Daycares raise our children, schools educate them and social media informs them. Today parents have had to slow down and spend time with their families. This will pay dividends for years to come.
Maybe we should pause in the midst of this challenge and think again about our world view. Perhaps there is a God in heaven, a God who controls the events of our world, and He actually loves us enough to want to fix our homes and society – even if it takes a virus.
Next week we celebrate Easter, that season to remember that the God of heaven came to earth to give His life so that those who repent of sin and turn to Jesus in faith can be saved and have eternal life. It is about submitting to God and in that finding true life.
Maybe we should follow the example of the daffodils and bow our heads in humble submission to our God as well. 1 Peter 5:6 says:
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
1 Peter 5:6
Let’s think on these things….
– Pastor Gary
