Out of Control
I don’t know about you, but I really like to feel in control. With all that has been developing over the last few weeks, I would imagine most of us feel like we are not in control of our own lives, much less what is happening around us. Meetings cancelled, work cancelled, school cancelled, worship online, businesses closing and on and on. Everyone has opinions about what you should and shouldn’t be doing. The news and social media might help keep us informed but they can also be overwhelming and sometimes downright detrimental for our mental health. All of this makes life feel very surreal, out of sync and definitely out of control.
What are we to do then? When our lives are suddenly flipped upside down and much truly is out of our own control. First, we have to take our responsibility to help lessen the effect of this virus quite seriously and do what is recommended by the experts to help “flatten the curve.”
I am also considering this time as a good opportunity to practice “slowing down.” I am usually one who is thinking about what is next and rushing through whatever it is I am doing to get to the next thing. I have always admired people who seem to appreciate the moment they are in and who do not rush to whatever is next. But, “being in the moment” requires me to stop forcing things to happen in my time and requires me instead, to be more open to God’s time. In Ecclesiastes it is written,
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
I hope you will consider what God is calling you to during this very unusual and uncertain time in the life of ourselves, our congregation and our world.
Prayer
Lord, there is a time for everything. These times seem particularly uncertain and frightening. Even when things seem out of control, make us aware of your presence with us and remind us that no matter what the times bring, you are Immanuel, God with Us. Amen
Written by Emily Heeg
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