May 2020...

Dear Friends –
For so many of us, this has been the strangest Easter of our lives. Who would have
thought we would not only spend Easter Sunday at home, but the entire month of April!
As you know, families are educating their kids at home; college students are trying to
finish classes online that were designed to be in person; many of us are working at
home; our favorite restaurants are out of bounds; and our friends must be kept at a
safe distance.

We are worshiping from home. I have long been grateful for the visionaries who
launched the TV ministry so many years ago. Now, that ministry is vital for all of us.
Thank you to all the TV ministry volunteers who have given dedicated service over
many years and who now are keeping our church worshiping together.

In this strange environment you may feel like you are drifting. Waiting for the shutdown
to end, you may have put your life on hold, to be resumed only when things open
again.

Yet, regardless of our circumstances life goes on. What we are doing, how we spend
our time and effort, who we call, text or email, all this IS life right now. It is different
from everything we have experienced before, but it is life none the less. And that
means we Christians are called to live it for the Lord.

Colossians 4:5 includes this exhortation: “Make the most of every opportunity.” Make
the most of the time you have. Make the most of the moments you are given, make
them count.

One of the dangers all Christians face is to think of unplanned situations as interruptions
to life rather than life itself. But while it is good to have goals and to make plans,
remember life happens while we are planning something else.

Hopefully though that changes our perspective on our present reality. A new point of
view encourages us to see that this situation allows us to actually do things that our
“normal” schedule would prohibit.

This is especially true of our practice of spiritual disciplines. Are you watching more TV?
Then this is an opportunity! Put down the remote, pick up your Bible. Read the
passion, death and resurrection accounts in all the gospels. Turn what you read into
prayers. (Lord, you called your disciples to watch and pray. Teach me to do the same
each day. Amen. Lord, Peter denied you when he felt threatened. Help me to remain
faithful when I might feel embarrassed by acknowledging my faith in you. Amen.)

Spend time with the Lord while you can. You might find this interruption has been a
great opportunity in disguise.

— Pastor Byron