Pastor’s Corner May 26th
‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ Matthew 11:28
As we move to the end of the school year I suspect many of you are weary, I know I am. We’ve made it through the major holidays of Christmas and Easter and all that goes with them. We concluded our Wednesday evening activities for the summer. Once we move through Memorial Day weekend and celebrate Pentecost on the first Sunday of June we’ll officially be in summer mode. The summer holds time off for many of us as we plan for vacations and time away. Perhaps man of you are like me, eager to see the slower pace of summer begin. The past year has been particularly challenging as we continue to struggle with all the issues around the global pandemic. While eager to resume life as it was two years ago, we still have to acknowledge that COVID is not completely in the rear view mirror. In many ways, living in this twilight time of COVID is almost more exhausting. We’ve resumed many of the activities from our pre-COVID life, but everything still looks a bit different. In the midst of things we are still keenly aware of the danger that still lurks. We still learn of many people who are battling the virus or have done so in recent days or weeks. The possibility of contracting the virus is still ever present.
We also have to acknowledge the many ways in which life has changed. Occasionally, we have had well attended services, but for the most part our numbers have dwindled. Live streaming has enabled us to reach out to those unable to attend in person, but sometimes it makes it easier to stay at home and worship in our pajamas or sweats. It is difficult to get back into the habit of attending worship and meetings in person. Sadly, for many, health concerns also prevent participation in church life in ways that were possible before. The weight of all these components makes the weariness even more burdensome. Things are not as they once were and probably will not be that way again. As if this were not enough, many of us are burdened by the struggles in the world today. The war in Ukraine, dire economic predictions, rampant inflation and escalating costs. There is a lot to weigh us down and deepen our sense of weariness.
Although the details of our life are unique to our time and situation, the experience of weariness is not. Jesus spoke to those in his time who were weary too. They may not have faced a global pandemic, but many were burdened by some of the same kinds of issues. Those who came to hear Jesus faced health concerns, financial worries, dire economic warnings, violence and wars. Just as Jesus spoke to those people long ago he speaks to us today through scripture. Jesus continues to invite the weary and those with heavy burdens to come to him. We are still invited to share our weariness, our fears and our burdens with Jesus. We are reminded that as we lay our weariness and burdens upon him we will find rest. As we roll into the summer months we are invited to take time for such rest. Hopefully embracing the res that Jesus brings will also bring a sense of renewal. I know my plan is to do that very thing, to take some vacation and enjoy the slower pace of summer. I hope Jesus’ invitation to lay our weariness and burdens upon him so we can find the rest and renewal he brings.
In peace and love, Pastor Karen
