Pastor’s Corner – January 18, 2024
Happy New Year! How are you midway through the first month of 2024? Have you ever picked a word of the year or had someone pick a word of the year for you or invited the Spirit to guide you to a word or theme for the year? If you have a word or would like to pick a word and want to share it, I’d enjoy encouraging you as you journey with your word.
I have done this for many years. Most of the time, the words that have come to mind, heart, body, and soul have been words that I think many people would find encouraging, inspiring, and uplifting. This year, the word that I have been led to feels different. My word this year is fear. A year or two ago, a Friedens member told me about a book called What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid? by Michal Oshman. I didn’t have a chance to read much of it, but the question has stuck with me, and I ponder it often. I feel like this year the word being given to me is fear. I think of so many times in the Bible when we are told not to fear. I’m not sure it makes sense to tell people not to be afraid when they are, but I appreciate the good news that God’s eternal love is with us no matter what we are feeling - we are not alone. The Faithful Creator is with us, has been with us, and will be with us.
Maybe this is a question you’d like to explore this year. As a dreamer, I love to encourage people in their hopes and dreams. If you find yourself being overcome by fear, I pray that you will know you are not alone. I pray that God’s presence can offer you comfort, hope, and the peace of Jesus that surpasses all human understanding. I pray that we experience and live into the shalom God offers for all in order to follow Jesus’ call to be part of God’s work in the world. May you know you are always loved by the Creator of grace and mercy.
With gratitude for you,
Sarah
I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. Psalm 89:1-2
