A pattern of
nostalgia for pre-pandemic days has become very present for me and for several
people I encounter. Phrases like “when
things get back to normal” or “hopefully we can all get together in the spring”
are common and leave me feeling a bit heartbroken.
King Solomon
humbly asked God for “an understanding heart to judge your
people and to distinguish right from wrong.” (1 Kings 3:5, 7-12) He didn’t pray for a specific
outcome but put his trust in God to give him the wisdom he would need to be a
servant leader. This reminds me of the
old adage to be careful what I wish for.
How might the future look if I ask God to help me see ways that I might
build an authentic connection with others rather than wishing for a specific
social event to take place?
A calming
mantra for these unsettling times is in Paul’s letter to the Romans (Romans
8:28-30). “We
know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called
according to his purpose.” Rather than be nostalgic for the
days before the pandemic or consumed by worry about the health and livelihood
of my friends, Paul invites me to explore those thoughts and responses that
stand in the way of my choosing the best way to serve God. I trust if I can “loosen my grip” God will
invite me to explore ways I can live my faith that I had never before imagined.
As we look
to a future in the uncertainty created by the pandemic, we’re called to face
the reality of a history of systemic racism.
We can’t face these challenges without God’s steadfast love. And as God helps us accept the reality of
pandemic life, I pray we can all find energy to strive for social justice in our
communities.
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