The Pause that Refreshes, from Carla Grokenberger

The only topic on the news is “coronavirus” this and “Covid-19” that. This and That. Life on this planet has slowed to a crawl for most of us, as we sit at home, either working long distance at our various jobs, or homeschooling children, or just finding creative ways to keep ourselves from dwelling upon the negatives of confinement.

But, reading today’s emails as I just did, I found the letter to churches from the church headquarters in Louisville stating that many from the mission field have been called to come back to the United States. Like the virus itself, the repercussions of the virus, discounting the medical implications for all of us, are farther-reaching than we could have imagined and probably, like an ice berg, not able to be entirely seen or anticipated.

So, here we are at this “pause”, this time of confinement to our homes. Many have made lists of household jobs they want to complete. Many, like me, have dug into books waiting to be read. Something we can all do throughout these days is to make a list of people, known or unknown, whom you can support in prayer. Scripturally, we are asked to pray unceasingly. Ask God to bring to mind those who need prayer. The discovery of our support missionaries, including youth, being called away from their fields to come home, was something I had not consciously thought about until today. They are having to leave behind people who have depended upon them to feed, clothe and educate them. They are having to come home to uncertainties in their own lives. I am praying for the missionaries and the people they have had to leave.

For sure, we are living uncertain lives, and we don’t have any idea when this virus will be controlled and overcome. Our lives feel out of control. But, we can be certain that God is with us each millisecond of the time. There is no breath we take that God does not know about. Prayer for others, as well as ourselves, will elevate, enervate and energize us. Take this “pause” of our present life activities to make prayer a central part of life. It will be the pause that refreshes. Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.”

If you have thoughts to share, please contact Joanne or Carla.

Rev Joanne Martindale and Clerk, Carla J. Grokenberger