Covid and My Thoughts
It has been approximately 4 months since I started here at Keolumana UMC. I remember before I started, a few wiser more seasoned UMC pastors told me that every church just wants a pastor that loves them. I wondered "How can I learn to love a church I cannot see or spend time with?" I remembered Phil 4:6 that says to ask God for what you need and I prayed that would learn to love this church. Well its been just a handful of months and through Zoom meetings, Zoom visitations, and many phone conversations, through God providing the heart and the means through technology, I have grown to love this church.
Like my heart that has grown fond and feels more and more connected to the Keolumana community, I have also grown to love the majestic scenery of the Enchanted Lake area. Sometimes after the preschool is finished and everyone is gone, I walk up to the playground area and I stare at Olomana Mountain. Sometimes I think my eyes can't believe what I'm seeing. I feel like I was let in on a local secret. I wonder do people who have been living in town their whole lives ever really know the beauty of Enchanted Lake? The funny this is, our family has driven around this area a number of times in the past, we had friends that lived in the area. Funny what you don't notice when your mind is set on going somewhere or getting something done.
The other day I was on the playground and I stood on the steps of one of the slides and I prayed to God while staring at the mountains. I prayed that we will all get through this and that our church members would stay safe. I read an article in the New York Times that chronicled some of the lives that we lost because of COVID. Validating the statistics, most of them were over 65. In reading the short articles, about their careers, the life they lead, I couldn't help but think that all these people were someone's husband, wife, friend, mother, father. grandmother, and grandfather. I thought about our church members. Just after 11 weeks, the thought of the claws of this virus reaching anyone of you brings tears to my eyes.
I remember in my Worship class in seminary, I was asked to lead a typical pastoral prayer as if I was opening worship at a church. I started off "Lord please if it is your will bring your presence... Lord, please help us receive you and save us from ourselves..." She cut me off in the middle of my "holy" prayer and she said, "Do you think God doesn't want to be there?" I stammered.. "No..." She responded, "Does God not want to save us?" ... I felt her eyes boring into my soul and the whole class was looking at me like I was in the hot seat. "I said of course he does!" Then she said "Pray like it! Say to God 'Come!' Say to God 'Deliver us!' Put power in your prayer! Pray like you believe in what you are praying." I heard her voice that day as I was looking at Olumana mountain. I prayed, "God save us! God protect us! Bring your presence!"
I am looking forward to praying with you all on Sunday. I have not been able to worship with all of you together in body and spirit but at least through Zoom we can put power in our prayers together.
