Dear Friends,
As I gaze out of my parent’s window upon the calming water of Loch Fyne, the endless waves which travel up the length of the loch toward me, remind me of the relentless power of Creation rippling across our planet and through our lives. A new day revolves into being, old lives pass away and new lives are begun, and the reassuring truth endures that living and dying we are cared for and loved by our Creator God.
However, last night as I spoke to my wife online, my usual veneer of calm was beginning to feel the strain as the clock ticked towards my departure deadline. But, like the waves on the loch, she offered the soothing mantra, “this too will pass”.
Hymns and Psalms are wonderful prayers set to music. One favorite of mine and many is “The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended“ by John Ellerton (1826-1893). The enduring beauty and truth of this hymn have served and survived generations of worshippers.
We thank Thee that Thy Church unsleeping,
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
Nor rests from worship day or night.
These comforting words offer a resounding chorus of encouragement and a reminder that the world God has made keeps rolling along. But we still have work and worship to do. We are not expected to be passive or helpless in our roles as disciples and stewards. The world entrusted to us is given with a responsibility to keep watch over, to pray constantly, and tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth because it needs to be heard no matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient it might be. Our silence cannot be bought for any price, not even by the rich and powerful who would have us do and say nothing.
Earth Day has come around again and this week, it intersects our liturgical calendar with its observance on Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and as His disciples we are called to be good shepherds and good stewards.
The sun that bids us rest is waking
your children ‘neath the western sky,
and hour by hour fresh lips are making
your wondrous doings heard on high.
Pastor Cliff