I keep a pretty detailed calendar with appointments and “to do” lists which goes back for many years. Out of curiosity I looked back to see what I was doing on this week of 2019.
It was a somewhat busy week with leadership meetings at the church, sermon preparation, men’s breakfast, mission outreach meeting, some lunches with friends and colleagues, getting psychologically ready for an upcoming Dallas Cowboys football game (I don’t know if that was on the calendar or not, but it’s a thing), visiting church members in the hospital, church staff meeting, Sunday morning worship.
I don’t know if I realized at the time how good things were. Those were the days, of course, before COVID-19. Those were the days before Hurricane Laura’s visit to our area. Those were the days. But what a difference a year makes.
Of course this is not the first time or the last that we have faced incredible challenges and setbacks. We have starkly realized how life can turn on a dime . . . or with a tropical weather system in the Gulf.
Things can rapidly change. But here is the truth of our faith that we hold on to: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) God never changes.
May our faith today be that of the psalmist: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear . . .” (Psalm 46:1)